The Instinct (Killer Instinct Theme)

One of my favourite fighting arcade games growing up was Killer Instinct and always loved the orginal theme song. I decided to do a version of it, splicing Robin Beanland's original version with hints of Mick Gordon's newer version in there adding a bit of guitar shred from yours truly for good measure!
Had fun working on this in between being in the studio working on new Five Finger Death Punch music and a new solo single coming out soon \m/
Im not the copyright owner of this piece of music.
Andy James Official Store - andyjamesstore.org
Kiesel Signature Guitars - www.kieselguitars.com/catalog...
Plug in suite - STL Tones Tonality - www.stltones.com/products/ton...
Jim Dunlop USA ‘Flow’ Picks - www.jimdunlop.com/andy-james-...
Five Finger Death Punch - fivefingerdeathpunch.com
#andyjames #andyjamesguitaracademy #5fdp #kieselguitars #stltones #evertune #gruvgear
#modes #shredding #virtuoso #learnshredguitar #jeffkiesel #monstersolo

[@suvammukhopadhyay8444]

As a 90's kid..this is my Stairway to Heaven

[@horusosiris5488]

Fuck yeah

[@panospapavasiliou174]

Same here 🙋

[@optimalstate3190]

Ohhhhh well said!

[@user-fw2rn6gu8o]

😊​@@horusosiris5488

[@stevetrop]

So damn true. I remember in the 90s playing friends in fighting games, no matter the fighting game, this was always my prep-song, this was the jam that would hype me up.

[@chrisg1556]

Im 40 and spent entire summers playing KI in arcades and on the SNES . This is heaven.

[@morbidmike]

Ultra Ultra Ultra

[@RedTideRTS]

Ditto

[@dielloarias]

Man.. that song is pure nostalgia!

[@the_oneandonlycrazyjess1396]

Me too

[@rafaelhoyosweht2603]

me too, I turn 40 in a week

[@capncheeks]

This better get played at my funeral or I'm coming back as Cinder

[@ConstantK103]

This one got me 😂😂😂🔥🔥🔥

[@ejscorp]

Assuming you got cremated

[@briankochert1305]

Dude I'm 47, 1994 was my senior year when KI came out... I dumped a shit-ton of quarters in that game... this.... dude this is absolutely badass... almost 30 years later and still the BEST fighting game theme. Nostalgic AF for me. Rock on my man

[@AndyBonesSynthPro]

Omg there's more than one of me. Cheers dude

[@josephvaccaro876]

Exact same age and story here 👍@@AndyBonesSynthPro

[@shawnm1472]

​@@josephvaccaro876 KI original and KI gold were the best. I bought super Nintendo just for KI.

[@fromashestoangels378]

​​@@AndyBonesSynthPro looks like there's 4 of us. Same here and dude up above me 😁

[@briankochert1305]

@@shawnm1472 I was sooooo disappointed in the SNES version

[@jisatsu_exe9329]

That palm muted section gave me goosebumps...

[@musicalmooku]

Good to see other KI fans here. I remember all those days of throwing controllers against the walls and floor out of frustration from losing to the CPUs lol. It felt good to finally finish Eyedol at the end. Thanks for making this video, Mr. James! For a musician who loves KI.... This is a real treat.

[@the_shadow_realm5110]

I’m in the gym, and that outro at 3:27 is still one of the nastiest and filthiest outros I’ve ever heard. Pure epic-industrial brutality. Listening to it literally gives me at least 3 more reps when I’m completely depleted.

[@Smallerexia]

What's crazy is this is the character select theme

[@abujunayed]

How and why did they go so hard on soundtrack for a game in the 90s? Peak nostalgia.

[@halfagallonjerry8753]

I just seen a man put his entire soul and universe into some strings enough to make a grown man cry... Thank you for uniting me and many others together to hear your story

[@floevo]

Thanks for your support \m/

[@brandonmoore587]

KI was a pinnacle achievement in gaming. Nicely done.

[@garycormack]

The original is a highly nostalgic theme for me , but this makes the hairs on my neck stand on end, just outstanding

[@Andithewicked]

Where can I find the original?

[@mangelangel2570]

​@@Andithewicked just search it

[@user-ok1oh7jl4w]

The same. I start squeezing an imaginary joystick in my hands and repeating combos😂

[@jesusalberto2464]

This is the best cover of this song in all the internet 🤜🤛

[@RkJohnsonNingthemcha]

We the fans would really appreciate to see some of the mix and mastering process and thoughts behind the tone and overall sound you have achieved.

[@dan8402]

I agree with RK here. I would love to see the mix, and creative process you use. Chasing tones seems to be a thing too. 😎😎

[@floevo]

I’ve definitely considered it, I’ve even tried shooting it. But I get like 10 minutes in and realise it’s not really that interesting haha but that’s just me thinking it’s not I suppose rather than what others might get from it. It’s a relatively simple process I guess, it’s not like 7 hours of content or anything like some mix tutorials

[@dan8402]

@@floevo You could totally do an interview with Robert Baker or any number of online folks and do a dive into tone, and equipment. I geek out on that type of thing, and it may seem boring, but it is a basis for your art, like a painter's choice of brushes and canvas. 😎

[@rmanor5508]

@@floevo try it out for a couple videos and see how many likes and view it gets. I’ll be there, just remember , ANYTHING YOU PUT OUT IM A FAN OF BIG TIME. your thought process and tones in your head translate to pure excellence and that’s what I like.

[@merenimchen6060]

Bro, glad to see you here I agree with you. I'm blown away by the tone and playing.

[@erikmoreno3572]

I have been obsessed with this song for as long as I can remember. I owned the CD that came Long with the game and played the track "the Instinct" on repeat. This was back in '95 and here we are 2021 and I still listen to it. Now it was covered by Andy James?!?!? My ears are crying with joy!

[@oscardavidfranco8706]

That's exactly what I think and what I feel right now...this is a dream come true... I've loved this tune ever since I got the game in the 90s, I have the CD right here too... Cheers bro!

[@synthlord6575]

same here man!

[@thegrandwazooofheliopolis4344]

Damn. I forgot about the CD.

[@JrRickard]

I still have the game and the Nintendo console. And the controllers... FIGHT!

[@HaggenKennedy]

I know it sounds cliché, but it's pretty cool to see I'm not alone!

[@audio-love3765]

SUPREME VICTORY!!! Seriously dude, that's SUPERB.

[@joachimbouhadjra293]

Great job, I can’t stop listening 😊

[@rocketbunny0989]

it's been 8 days, are u still loopin this song?

[@williamgallios7812]

Absolutely sick, you have the styles of John Petrucci, Steve Via, Joe Satriani, and Yngwie Malsteen all wrapped up in one, you are truly a gift from God

[@sjsphotog]

amen. He is the best of all of those guys rolled into ONE package. and no bad songs ever whereas even Joe (one of my idols) has an occiasional stinker :) JP on the other hand (my guitar hero).... but Andy is the PINNACLE. best bang for your buck and WAY WAY underrated player

[@ogucum]

@@sjsphotog You cant compare him with Joe and JP. Those guys are created an era for melodic rock. Because they are not only players but also composers who can affect thousands.

[@satch88]

Mélodie please

[@matt80_s]

more like the style of a 48 hit combo shutdown.

[@illuminoid22]

I bought all his Lick Library DVDs - invested $200 or so - money well spent ! He’s an amazing teacher - they’re so dope ! Andy is def one of the best ever in his genre - He and Marco are my favorites- progressive shred metal all day \m/ \m/

[@RosstaFloss]

Andy James never disappoints...one of the most consistent musicians around

[@AndyBonesSynthPro]

WHOOAA!!!! Completely sick my friend 👏👏👏⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@mikeaaronc77]

I am embarrassed at how many times I have listened to and watched this. I will never tell anyone. This so fucking good.

[@andremazetto]

wow! this should become the official version immediately!

[@charless.3364]

Killer instinct theme was golden back in the day. Hell it still is

[@steveedmondson9651]

This takes me back to being a kid playing gold on n64 and listening to the killer cuts cd. Still have my dad's 64 but sadly lost KI gold along with all his 64 games in a robbery. Killer Instinct, starfox, war zone and ocarina of time were my favorites along with forsaken 64

[@hosauce5466]

DUDE im still blasting this on a regular basis, please please do every song in the game, one of the best covers of any game period, i always laugh whn that high note makes you shiver, music does that to me as well

[@AstralWolf86]

I think I’ve listened to this about 20 times now 🤔😎

[@user-zn2vg4fk2s]

Я работаю шиномонтажником в городе Анапа, просыпаюсь и перед работой слушаю эти композиции.... взбадривает )

[@user-qn2bn3dp2l]

а я в теплице в ростове бодрюсь с Энди!!!

[@igork.6584]

Мужики, респект ✊ вам! Я дизайном в Подмосковье занимаюсь. Тоже иногда под Энди :)

[@urer-gh4bx4mo5v]

@@user-qn2bn3dp2l а я треню под Энди сейчас...Джеймс этот сукин сын ))) умеет удивлять !!!Признайтесь ребята наверняка сами гитарите?))

[@sasha171]

в машине в дороге часто включаю этого монстра. играю совсем любительски дома.

[@urer-gh4bx4mo5v]

@@sasha171 Ну в основном слушатели его музыки сами гитаристы, не важно какого уровня ...нас таких домашних много)))

[@user-bt7nj3nh9b]

I paint the universe with this solo.

[@IraTopp]

I literally don't know why I can't stop listening to this... It's one of the best plays I've ever heard. 😎

[@alexcairns7096]

It's just so good. What a homage to killer Instinct and the original composer. I'm saying it.... flawless. That was spectacular.

[@ShredBird]

His cable isn't even fully inserted and his tone is immaculate! 🤘

[@user-hn1cq7re7i]

It's one of the best opening songs made for games even in my opinion. congratulations on the work, you play a lot.

[@user-hn1cq7re7i]

The best game in the series !!!! kzbin.info/www/bejne/nqnHdJVsaLWXrLM

[@Y0utubesAlgorithmDuckingSucks]

I never got into Killer Instinct seriously, but man...it's still iconic. Love this cover btw. It brought back so much nostalgia. ULLLLTRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA COMBOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

[@markconway7162]

Why is this theme song so addictive. Keep looping back to it since... well... Super Nintendo! Most of all, you freaking rocked it dude!

[@zerpblerd5966]

because it's excellent song

[@sandroschtolpe6803]

Because its one of the best intro themes in gaming. Veeeery few come close.

[@zerpblerd5966]

@@sandroschtolpe6803 check out: Interstate '76 best game soundtrack in my experience

[@thegatesofsleep]

Honestly one of the top tier musicians ever to enter KZbin. The man loves music and we love hearing it.

[@damned-in-black]

Beautiful cover to a legendary game... Nostalgic !

[@normanstansfield773]

0:50 made me shiver with nostalgia. Beautifully executed man, truly!

[@nimeshpatel9570]

What a beast of a solo....Jesus.

[@custom2456]

His phrasing is absolutely amazing ! He builds all the tension in the world with tasteful playing and then blows you away with his warp speed runs !

[@Juliankb39]

Brings back fond memories of insanely long combos using orchid and Jago, awww yeah

[@crxvtec0069]

I watched this quite a few times now just had to leave a comment to tell you how amazing this is. For us 40+ year olds growing up in high school in the early 90s playing this game at the arcades is mega nostalgia for us. KI was THE arcade game that dominated the scene back then. Hearing the theme music and the “ultraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa combooooooo” and “c-c-combo breakerrrr” was just mesmerizing. Your take on this theme was amazing, I love every note and touch you played. It accents everything perfectly, and then the very end riffs - got us all in the feels my friend. That character select music is so brutal, this is a 10/10 my friend. Bravo!

[@brandonwhitehead6929]

Tune from my childhood done with impressive respect. Amazing.

[@fm4e357]

I think it's a shame that I haven't seen or heard this song from you before. Especially from minute 2:27, when you really get started, gives me so much strength. Thank you for that!

[@iamcyberpunk68]

AMAZING BRO ALL AROUND THE BOARD BE PROUD OF THIS YOU EARNED 100 PERCENT

[@theoguitars1635]

Kiesel Instinct! My all time favourite fighting game!!!

[@feedbackking1316]

Brought literal tears to my eyes... this is ascended beyond all that is. Never played guitar in my life, but this... this makes it very tempting to at least try.

[@hakuamper365]

I haven’t played KI or heard this song in 20 years. Hearing this unlocked memories, i still have goosebumps.

[@Drc902]

This is one of the best covers of anything I have ever heard!

[@pablofederico1793]

One of my favorite guitarists, playing the theme of one of my favorite games ... what else can I say? Thanks for everything!

[@samiolox]

I listen to this track 4 days a week. There isnt a single workout i do without Andy J in my ears. Melody meets sensational shred. ❤

[@chrisandthat]

Wolfgang Amadeus would be proud.

[@soheilnoorani2024]

This song and performance deserve an award! 👍🏻

[@bradduncan8962]

Once again, here he comes on his rocket ship of shredness, we want to see you live Andy Plz come to the states and show everyone you are here!!!!! you are the best guitar player of our time....my son is 13 and can't get enough of you....bro you inspired him to play.....bless you brother for doing that for him......we will never forget !!!

[@FuelAirSparkTime]

Unlimited ultra combo on that guitar right here

[@fxorr1599]

ULTRA COMBOOOoOOooooo

[@BlindWitchFire]

20+ years later... I finally Found you bro _!_ *This is what I am talking about*

[@ratrod40manuel88]

"Killer combo riff" (perfect) ... nicely done 😎👍

[@sumitdas9428]

Goosebumps from where the lead kicks in.

[@deviemTV]

My favorite version. Great work 🎉

[@brianjohnson9423]

It just hits right and it hits hard. Especially at the end.

[@Deetroiter]

Anyone who remembers the original game in the arcade can tell you that whatever speakers they installed in the games arcade booth was crazy compared to other game units. The speakers were LOUD, sounded clear, and had some serious bass to them. You couldn’t walk by the machine without hearing the music blasting and the announcer saying. ‘Killllerrrr instinctttt”

[@D.L8602]

I just started learning and practicing guitar, there's a few cover themes I want to learn. KI, especially your cover on it, is one of them. Thank you for the inspiration.

[@Hv90.06]

Thank you, that was beautiful, greetings from Mexico.

[@Midnight_Freefall]

Nice work. Love the clean notes, the reverb and the tasteful solo. You kick ass!

[@jarodneedham7326]

Immediately saw Idol walking towards me with that dang mace! Awesome job.

[@georgeaslanidis4789]

Especially with the last riff. Still gives me chills. *FIGHT ON

[@Vivid114]

This combines the best of both versions. I actually want this as the theme for the next game, if that's possible.

[@darkone12541]

Someone, finally had the balls to male an absolute challenge to KI meets metal! Excellent cover my dude! ***** 5 stars

[@SnakeTheCowboy]

After listening this track a lot of times now I can't imagine any other versions including original at 1st places. Now to me this is original. This is how it should sound when I'm playing KI.

[@trcvince]

Oh man, very nice and nostalgic feelings, thanks for this masterpiece.,

[@infam0u59er]

Chills at 3:27.... "Fight mode!... C-c-c-c-combo breaker!"

[@davethesparrow]

This brought on some HD memory flashbacks, such a groovy tune

[@candelamillar5770]

I keep coming to this video over and over again. It just makes my world a better place.

[@chemicle]

Even on my best day - would I ever thought someone could play like this. Brain buckling and beautiful.

[@charlyhasenohrl1400]

I have seen you on KZbin, i have seen You in Munich live... Keep on doing what you do brother. be proud of yourself. You are worth it.....

[@Aksonjkghkh]

Впервые за 12 лет ютуб в джеме годную вещь вставил, приятная с первого же звука. Блеск, спасибо исполнителю! Вы знаете это волшебное ощущение когда ты начинаешь слушать интересную вещь, тебя переполняет вот это нежное, тонкое и перспективное чувство что то что ты слышишь Очень Годное, и ты буквально идешь вслед за треком и хочешь чтобы не было косяков и все было на столь же высоком уровне как и началось. Вот это оно.

[@chrisandthat]

Good sound,digital quality.

[@Thedarksnw]

Звучит отлично, согласен, я видос поискал сам услышав случайно рифф из темы. Не буду тут рекламировать других ютуберов, но есть один турецкий бородатый крутой гитарист играющий в таком же стиле, фамилия Очайон

[@RJ-zm3tr]

This goes hard 👍

[@Danandrea737]

Sometimes I wonder how much those games and soundrack did actually shaped our music tastes... I didn't even knew what metal was, back then... and now is part of my life for the last 15 years. That, Zelda, and Banjo & Kazooie. Gawd

[@jensklingenmaier1745]

Banjo Zelda and ki? Hi soulmate :3

[@Danandrea737]

@@jensklingenmaier1745 Hi to you too, my friend 😁😁

[@querciosouza]

Simplesmente o melhor é a melhor versão que encontrei até hoje, o cara é mostro , imbatível🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷

[@edifreitas6567]

realmente o cara é muito bom, mas eu acho q a versão do Mick Gordon é melhor!

[@fulgore1663]

Muita nostalgia né

[@fulgore1663]

AGR que lembrei que meu perfil é do fulgore a mais de anos

[@zeck56]

Bicho é pika demais, minha inspiração na guitarra desde os meus 16 anos !

[@winchester7400]

@@fulgore1663 gosto muito do fulgore meu personagem preferido eu jago

[@hc-fan]

Best cover of this song i`ve ever heard!

[@yabo2424]

It never gets old !! Andy delivering another masterpiece ...Killer track..

[@CPUMaster500]

This guy is insane. Nicely played😀

[@skylergrenell6519]

The year is 2022, I am listening to this on repeat because there is nothing else as metal. Great job Andy!

[@davidrg1550]

Fantastic. For me there isn’t a better hard rock/metal player on the planet better than Andy.

[@davidgray8387]

If you have not heard it yet, I highly encourage you to look up "Wave of Synergy".

[@ewertonmello5846]

This song is wonderful, my whole 90's childhood will be unforgettable. Thanks for that Andy !

[@hms2407]

An absolute master of his craft 👏

[@orionjimenez5769]

I just relived my childhood man dang 😢😂

[@ErayAslan]

He's such a beast, an inspiration. Long live the king! 👑

[@Rorschach2u]

This brings back good memories of me playing it on my SNES back in the day. Excelent cover, I love it.

[@fabianologfatec]

I lost count of the quarters I spent on this game, it was the best one could play back in the day.

[@TsimonF]

Straight up gave me flash backs. Wow.

[@jamesdecosta7420]

Just love Andy he is so consistent with his music and creates a real feeling. His balance is perfect and he does a good job with emotion as well with just enough showmanship. Keep it up Andy love all of your stuff.

[@MSpotatoes]

Amazingly precise and melodic, just brilliant.

[@wanteddeadoralive666]

No matter how many times I hear the list an still never gets old amazing

[@L3ck5]

Here I am yet again, up late and can't sleep adding another 50 views to this cover. Keep 'em comin' good sir.

[@Davidianable]

What a masterpiece!

[@Taser1-1]

I would love to see this guy's interpretation of the NES Contra theme.

[@koufdell]

i miss vertexguy -_-

[@ericcartmansstrengthandpow5960]

VOMITRON IS WHAT YOU SEEK.

[@JustInCase_007]

Yeeees

[@helloworld1892]

I can't believe no ones given it to you but you deserve it! UUUULLTRAAAAAAA COOOOMBOOOOOOO!!!

[@SirDot22]

Just awesome.

[@ElCocheFantasticoYT]

One of the best KI covers I've ever heard. you ROCK.😎

[@gracyvuna7848]

I like the chemistry between your guitar and your environment!!!!😍

[@highborn18]

I know this video is fairly old, but boy, does it bring back great memories!

[@absentmindedalchemist8496]

This is how the instinct should been . You sir are an audio alchemist. Aaaand your alchemy is strong🧪⚗️🍵🪔🧉🌿❤️⚙️