Excalion
	Rating: 75/100 Reviewed by: Peter Laursen, September '05 Label - Sound Riot Records Style - Melodic Power Metal
Primal Exhale

Excalion was born at December 2000 in Konnevesi central Finland . After two demos, one in the year 2001 and the second in 2003, Excalion’s debut “Primal Exhale” is finally released. Excalion plays Melodic Power Metal, but don’t worry… they are not another Sonata Arctica or Stratovarius clone. At least not in my humble opinion.

The vocals from Jarmo Pääkkonen is a little rougher than most of the Melodic Power Metal singers out there. But his voice fits the music very well, I think. To me “Primal Exhale” is good but non-essential. Most of you out there can easily live without this release, but if you are into Melodic Metal and Power Metal I think you should at least give Excalion a chance.

A few songs here are only average in my opinion, but most of them are quite good. My favourite songs here are, track, 1 “Temptation Wasteland” with a very memorable chorus. Track 6, a ballad called “Heart & Home”. One of the best ballads I’ve had heard in quite a long time. This song is very touching and emotional… I almost shed some tears. Great track. And track 8, “My Legacy”. It’s a very typical up tempo Power Metal track. Very bombastic with some very nice melodies, ditto rhythms.

“Primal Exhale” is released as a digi-pack and the European version contains a bonus track called, “Luopio” and it’s a song in Finish.

Recommended tracks: See above!