(source:Xeno surpasses itself with world album 'Sojourn' - Zeeland)
A lot has happened with Xeno since their debut album four years ago. The most important thing is that of the band that recorded that work, only two (original) members remain. Ruben Willemsen (bass, vocals) and Daniel de Coninck (guitar, vocals). New to the front are singer/guitarist Edwin Haan, guitarist Jasper Bruggeman, and Sean Lubbersen on keyboards.
After ‘Atlas Construct’, the group went from five to three members. Now they are six, with drummer Lars van Mourik completing the lineup. He does not play on this album because the drum tracks were already recorded by stand-in Richard van Leeuwen at the time of his appointment. In the meantime, a record deal was signed with Art Gate Records. And anyone who signs a deal must, of course, release an album. That is here now, and what an album it is! ‘Sojourn’ is an eleven-headed monster that knows no mercy.
Xeno made a masterstroke by bringing in keyboardist Lubbersen. His playing is truly an added value for the band. It all starts with the opener ‘Revery’, an exciting piano intro where the clear production of the disc is immediately noticeable. ‘In Stasis’ starts off a bit less intense than expected, but within a minute we are in a wonderful groove. Call it a jazzy variant of Dream Theater meets TesseracT. The music of these two bands, along with the sound of Periphery, really sets the reference framework for this album. Fat grooves, beautiful melodies, thick grunts, heavy guitars (from three! guitarists) and a lot of musical muscle language.
These Zeelanders pull out all the stops and do so with flair. A lot happens, a whole lot, in the songs. The beautiful interplay of grunts and melodic singing in 'Dusk' is fantastically beautiful, the piano solo and guitar solo that follow don't add much more to it, except that it's skillfully played. 'Resurge' is also a song with two faces. The song opens with beautiful vocal lines and grunts, but then sinks into a less interesting part mainly filled with some musical freak-outs. The three guitarists really let loose. A bit of fun, then back to serious business. Because these kinds of unnecessary detours are just details. This little gem is a solid chunk of progressive metal without any bad songs and with constant surprises, such as the use of subtle electronics in the single 'Epiphany'. It makes the whole a complete and well-thought-out work of art. An open sound and clear production ensure that all instruments come forward well and the many details in the songs are clearly audible.
'Exile' and 'Nomad' are the purest death metal songs, with the latter being the most proggy of the two. The eye of this musical storm is called 'Memories'. A moment to catch your breath with a small song that meanders so nicely through your head. Those who think it's over then are mistaken. The real highlight is saved for the end. Saving the best for last. In the title track, all the registers are pulled out.
A thick thirteen-minute epic in which the musicians express themselves in every way without going off the rails. Beautifully constructed and consistently interesting. When Ayreon makes such a track, it becomes an instant hit. Let it happen because this is world-class.
All the good from the album comes together here once again. There is even a hint of black metal to be detected. A more than worthy conclusion to the best Dutch progressive metal album of the year. Xeno has more than surpassed itself. Hopefully, this artistic masterpiece does not meet a quiet death due to the lack of live shows to promote it. This band deserves a place on the Dutch and international metal map. Handshakes are not allowed at the moment, so a deep bow will have to suffice as thanks for such beauty.