PowerRage Beast Review
Powerrage
Beast
High Roller Records
2026
Here’s something you might not expect to hear: John Ricci, the legendary guitarist of world-famous Thrash outfit Exciter, is gearing up to release a debut album titled “Beast” with his new band, PowerRage. Ricci hasn’t been much in the spotlight since Exciter’s live shows roughly eight years ago, making this project something of a surprise return.
Joining him in this venture is a familiar voice - former Exciter vocalist Jacques Belanger, who appeared on the band’s albums “The Dark Command”, “Blood Of Tyrants”, and “New Testament”. Rounding out the lineup are Todd Pilon of Witchkiller on bass and drummer Lucas Dery.
Right out of the gate, I can assure you this sounds nothing like Exciter. There’s little to no stylistic overlap here. That’s both a blessing and a curse. If you were hoping Ricci and Belanger would simply run it back and deliver another dose of classic Exciter-style Thrash, you’ll probably walk away disappointed. On the other hand, the complete shift in direction makes the album feel fresh, especially considering the pedigree of the musicians involved.
Belanger, first and foremost, has dramatically reshaped his vocal approach. His performance lands somewhere between King Diamond–style falsetto theatrics and a harsh, snarling delivery reminiscent of Norwegian Black Metal acts like Satyricon. Ricci, meanwhile, still comes across as the riff-slinging Metal maniac we’ve always known, though I’d be lying if I said his playing is instantly recognizable here. That may very well be the point, this feels like a deliberate attempt to step outside his established identity and explore something new.
The result is an album that leans heavily into Black Metal territory, punctuated by occasional flashes of Traditional Heavy Metal. Those classic elements are present, but they’re few and far between.
The record is consistent from start to finish, though I struggled at times with the harsher vocal passages. Personally, I would’ve welcomed more of Belanger’s falsetto moments, but ultimately the songwriting leans toward the darker, more aggressive approach, and the snarling vocals fit the atmosphere the band is aiming for.
Where the album really shines is in its slower, grinding sections. These passages give Ricci room to stretch out, and his guitar work is in top form throughout. Whether you’re here for crushing riffs or frantic, blitzkrieg-style lead breaks, he delivers plenty of both.
For older Metalheads who don’t venture too deeply into Black Metal, “Beast” might be a tougher sell. Younger fans, or anyone who likes a little Satan with their breakfast cereal, may find it far easier to embrace. Either way, it’s a strong record that has the potential to pull listeners from across the Metal spectrum.
It also earns bonus points for brevity. With eight tracks clocking in at just 34 minutes, “Beast” hits hard, gets its point across, and disappears before it ever risks overstaying its welcome.
Standouts – “Dragon Man”, “Haunted Hell”, “Damned And Cursed”.