Excalion - Waterlines
Starting a power metal band in Finland isn’t easy, from the start you know you will have to live in the shade of famous Finnish bands as Stratovarius, Sonata Arctica and of course Nightwish. Still, this does not disencourage the young Finnish metal warriors; in fact there’s a surprising huge number of new talent trying to compete with their idols and Excalion is one of those…
And they are doing a good job so far. Excalion saw the light of day in December 2000. After some demos the band had to take a break due to obligatory military service (something a lot of beginning bands have to deal with in Finland). In September 2005 they released Primal Exhale, their debut-album. Now, with a slightly different line up they bring us their second album, Waterlines. The record consists of eleven typical melodic songs with a good variation between fast and slow, heavy or ballad. It’s all played very well and the production is very well too, but this record does miss some elements. The melodies are beautiful and the rhythms powerful, but they do not have that finishing touch needed to be original. It’s not like these songs stick in my head forever a few more minutes. You listen, enjoy and that’s it.
Although they have already put a step forward in comparison with their debut-album, they can’t compete with the top power metal bands out there… yet. If you are into melodical power metal don’t hesitate and get your hands on this! It won’t completely excite you, but it will please you and make a nice addition to your collection. If you’re close on budget you might consider passing on this one though.
Tracklisting
1. The Wingman
2. Life On Fire
3. Losing Time
4. Ivory Tower
5. I Failed You
6. Arriving As The Dark
7. Streams Of Madness
8. Delta Sunrise
9. Between The Lines
10. Soaking Ground
11. Y�vartio (Finnish version of Arriving As The Dark)
2. Life On Fire
3. Losing Time
4. Ivory Tower
5. I Failed You
6. Arriving As The Dark
7. Streams Of Madness
8. Delta Sunrise
9. Between The Lines
10. Soaking Ground
11. Y�vartio (Finnish version of Arriving As The Dark)
Line up
Jarmo P��kk�nen - Vocals
Vesa Nupponen - Guitars
Tero Vaaja - Bass
Jarmo Myllyvirta - Keyboards
Henri Pirkkalainen - Drums
Vesa Nupponen - Guitars
Tero Vaaja - Bass
Jarmo Myllyvirta - Keyboards
Henri Pirkkalainen - Drums