Get ready to dive into a brand-new chapter of heavy metal history! Former EXCITER guitarist John Ricci is breaking free from the past with his new band, POWERRAGE, and their debut single 'Dark Wings' is here to prove it. But here's where it gets controversial: Ricci insists this isn't just another EXCITER clone. Is he truly starting from scratch, or will the shadows of his past linger? Let’s find out.
The official lyric video for 'Dark Wings' is now available, offering a glimpse into POWERRAGE's upcoming debut album, Beast, set to unleash on April 24 via High Roller Records. Mixed and mastered by the legendary Dan Swanö at Unisound, the album boasts striking artwork by Mario Lopez. Joining Ricci in this new venture are bassist Todd Pilon (formerly of WITCHKILLER), vocalist Jacques Bélanger (known for his work on three EXCITER albums: The Dark Command [1997], Blood Of Tyrants [2000], and New Testament [2004]), and drummer Lucas Dery.
While Ricci and Bélanger share a history with EXCITER, Ricci is adamant: 'This band isn’t about reliving the past. It’s about moving forward.' And this is the part most people miss: despite EXCITER’s success being built around his guitar style, Ricci chose to abandon that formula entirely. 'Starting over without relying on past accomplishments is incredibly challenging, but I’m confident I can make it work,' he declares.
Listening to Beast, you’ll hear a blend of early doom/death metal, classic EXCITER riffs, and—surprisingly—hints of early MERCYFUL FATE. When asked about these influences, Ricci admits to the doom and EXCITER elements but claims the MERCYFUL FATE comparison was unintentional. 'It was just how I envisioned the vocals—a coincidence,' he explains. But is it really? Or is there more to this story than meets the ear?
The album was recorded live in POWERRAGE’s rehearsal studio, mirroring the approach of their two-song demo. Ricci’s longtime friend and producer Manfred Leidecker, along with engineer George Henderson, set up a mobile studio for the sessions, while vocals were tracked in Manfred’s studio for tighter control. 'I wrote everything on *Beast—music, lyrics, melodies,'* Ricci emphasizes. 'This is 100% my vision.'
Here’s the tracklist for Beast:
- Dark Wings
- Cremation Damnation
- Dragon Man
- Haunted Hell
- I Torture I Kill
- The Devil Is Screaming
- Damned And Cursed
- The Black Mass
Now, let’s rewind to 2018, when Ricci’s departure from EXCITER left fans baffled. In an interview with The Metal Voice, bassist Allan Johnson revealed the split was shrouded in mystery. 'John just said he was fed up and wanted out,' Allan recalled. 'He didn’t give a solid reason.' This wasn’t the first time Ricci walked away—he left EXCITER in 1985 after their first three albums, Heavy Metal Maniac (1983), Violence & Force (1984), and Long Live the Loud (1985). Allan joked, 'It’s like déjà vu. In 1985, he said the same thing: “Do it without me.”'
EXCITER’s 2010 album, Death Machine, marked Ricci’s final chapter with the band as the sole remaining original member. A brief reunion in 2014 saw Ricci, Dan Beehler, and Johnson playing sporadic shows until his latest exit. But with POWERRAGE, Ricci is determined to write a new legacy.
Is John Ricci’s departure from EXCITER a bold step forward, or a missed opportunity for the band? And does Beast truly break free from his past, or are the echoes of EXCITER and MERCYFUL FATE too strong to ignore? Share your thoughts in the comments—this debate is just getting started!
