I first encountering Finnish Melodic Power Metal band Excalion way back in 2007 with what I now know to be their second album (their first with Limb Music). It was a solid, decent album, with plenty of good guitar and keyboard work and a competent vocalist. Their third album followed three years later in a very similar style and although again it was a credible effort, it was just lacking something to set the band apart. I didn’t hear anything more by the group for another seven years until they resurfaced with a new vocalist, bassist and guitarist for a new album entitled “Dream Alive” in 2017.
The difference was immediately evident and although at times that album felt a little like an outfit with a load of wonderful new toys wanting to play with them all at once, a renewed energy was evident throughout. Excalion’s next album “Emotions” was a more focused affair, but with the keys taking the lead and carrying many of the melodies. This unfortunately watered down the heaviness a bit at times and coupled with a tendency to play more melodic, slower tempo songs, felt a little at odds with the powerful style of vocalist Marcus Lang. 2023 brings “Once Upon A Time” and I reckon the band have got the balance just right this time!
Each track is packed with melody, but on this album the songs are more rhythmically driven, with the stabbing guitar style giving the songs a greater dimension and allowing the keyboards to embellish and display within the songs, without having to do so much of the work. This suits the vocals perfectly too. Lang is basically a younger version of Marco Hietala in vocal style, evoking memories of earlier Tarot and “Century Child”/“Once” era Nightwish (rather than his more recent post-Tarja Nightwish years). And Marcus Lang can really carry a melody, dynamically delivering it with power and passion, varying the tone and power of his voice superbly. He sounds like a singer unleashed on this album and this in turn seems to increase the energy that the group also delivers. Maybe this is merely a musical unit gelling after 3 albums, but it sounds to me like there’s been a concise effort to showcase their heaviness, power and impact on this album.
It’s an absolute joy to hear a band that always displayed so much potential, finally hit the right spot and make it work so cohesively – Excalion have certainly done that on this album. Excalion have lost none of their trade-mark melody and the keyboards still shine throughout, but the variation Excalion now possess is a master-stroke. Take the three tracks around the middle of the album for example – you get the majestic epic qualities of the title track, followed by the galloping speed of “I Am I” giving way to “When A Moment Turns Into A Lifetime”, a slower track that still manages to harness as much power as its predecessors. All three are dripping in fabulous vocal hooks and memorable music, yet showcased in three different moods. This is what Excalion in 2023 are capable of. Hopefully Excalion are revelling in this newfound drive and we are witnessing an exciting new era for this talented band.
(8.5/10 Andy Barker)
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