Excalion
Promo 2004

May 2005
Released: 2005, Sound Riot Records
Rating: 2.5/5
Reviewer: Rick

Excalion was formed in 2000 and to spare the details, have been through numerous lineup changes till we come to 2003 when they were signed to Sound Riot Records. In an attempt to work on songs for their first CD for the label, the band went into the studio in mid 2004. I guess this disc was sent to me as sample of what was to come when the band finally releases their debut CD in June 2004.



This promo consists of 3 songs, the first of which is “A Moment in the Spotlight”. Immediately the song grabbed me. The keyboard lines are clean and add some interesting depth to the song. Vocalist Jarmo Pääkkönen has a decent voice that, at time seems forced, but fits perfectly with the melodic powermetal that the band say they produce. His vocals especially suit this song and with a few well placed screams Paakkonan closes out the track with some gusto. “Reality Bends” is a real rip-snorter of a track. The band goes for broke with an all out neoclassical powermetal assault. One of the sour points I have with this demo is the production. Not that demo’s are expected to be perfect but this one was way out of whack level wise. I could never play it so that I could get a great sense of the bands sound. I am sure the production will be all cleared up when the bands proper CD is released in the next few months. I look forward to hearing what they can do with a proper production. Excalion are definitely a band to keep an eye on.