John Ricci Unleashes New Musical Vision: Powerrage Debuts "Dark Wings" Single

Legendary former Exciter guitarist John Ricci is making a bold return to the heavy metal scene with his new project, Powerrage. The band has just released a lyric video for their debut single, "Dark Wings," offering a first taste of their upcoming album, Beast.

Slated for release on April 24 via High Roller Records, Beast marks a definitive fresh start for the guitarist. Mixed and mastered by the renowned Dan Swanö at Unisound, the album features artwork by Mario Lopez and promises to be a "100% musical vision" from Ricci, free from the shadow of his previous band.
A New Direction, No "Rehashed Riffs"

Despite his legacy as a founding member of the speed metal pioneers Exciter, Ricci is adamant that Powerrage is not a continuation of that sound.

"I didn't want to be another Exciter," Ricci explained. "It was time to move on. Even though Exciter was based around my guitar style, I wanted to start from scratch. Starting over and not depending on your past accomplishments is definitely a very difficult task, but I feel confident I can make it happen."

The new material on Beast is described as a heavy blend of early doom/death metal and classic riffing, with accidental shades of early Mercyful Fate in the vocal delivery. Ricci emphasizes that all eight tracks are brand-new compositions with "no rehashed riffs" from his past.
The Powerrage Lineup

To bring this vision to life, Ricci has assembled a veteran team:

Jacques Bélanger (Vocals): A familiar name to fans, having previously fronted Exciter on three albums (The Dark Command, Blood Of Tyrants, and New Testament).

Todd Pilon (Bass): Formerly of Witchkiller.

Lucas Dery (Drums): Providing the backbone for the new project.

Recording the Beast

In an effort to capture a raw, authentic energy, the band recorded the album "live off the floor" in their rehearsal studio using a mobile setup. While the vocals were later tracked in a controlled environment, the core of the record maintains the gritty, organic feel of a live performance.
Moving Past the Mystery

Ricci's departure from Exciter in 2018 remained somewhat of a mystery to his former bandmates, who described his exit as "déjà vu" echoing his original 1985 departure. However, with the launch of Powerrage, Ricci seems focused entirely on the future.

"Dark Wings" Track Listing for Beast:

Dark Wings

Cremation Damnation

Dragon Man

Haunted Hell

I Torture I Kill

The Devil Is Screaming

Damned And Cursed

The Black Mass

The lyric video for "Dark Wings" is out now, and Beast is available for pre-order ahead of its April release.