POWERRAGE

John Ricci, the shred genius behind legendary speed metal band, EXCITER, is back for the attack with new band POWERRAGE. Joining him are vocalist Jacques Bélanger who sang on EXCITER albums “The Dark Command”, “Blood Of Tyrants”, and “New Testament”, powerhouse drummer Lucas Dery, and bassist Todd Pilon (ex-WITCHKILLER).  Look for POWERRAGE to drop their debut album, “Beast”, April 24 via High Roller Records. 

If you’re expecting the next coming of EXCITER, it’s not happening. Ricci has stated that POWERRAGE is its own entity, with its own sound, as evidenced by the band’s first single, “Dark Wings,” the metal equivalent of a million exploding suns. Check out the interview below and get ready to worship at the altar of metal, POWERRAGE style.

WORMWOOD CHRONICLES: You recently released a single for the track "Dark Wings" which is beyond great, this song is a bastard! Was there a creative plan going into the making of this record that the band was aiming for a particular sound or metal style or is what we're hearing on "Dark Wings” what naturally emerged when the band plugged in and jammed?

JOHN RICCI: “Dark Wings,” is one of the more recent songs that I wrote out of the 8 songs on the album . The song is angry and to the point. The songwriting on this album is darker than my previous band. I was trying to blend old school and new school guitar riffing. 

The objective was to write an album with `no filler` songs, every song has to be in your face. I always write songs with the audience in mind, you have to please the audience. I also write from a visual point of view, I make sure the song translates visually. The reason for this is that you have to get the audience to respond to your music, every song has to count, and you have to get an `over the top` response from the audience. “Dark Wings” did not emerge naturally from jamming, so I wrote the song and presented it to the band. 

JACQUES BÉLANGER: As soon as we started discussing the POWERRAGE project, John and I agreed that John would create all the material, music and lyrics. Of course, John knew my vocal abilities, but he had a concept in mind and asked me to reproduce the vocals as he imagined them. You've probably noticed that my vocal style is quite different from the one I used with EXCITER. You can recognize my tone of voice, but the end result is unique and matches what John wanted to go well with his music.

WC: As I understand it, you wrote 100% of the music and lyrics for 'Beast.' The track, “Dark Wings,” for example, sounds like it was written with a white-hot fire burning through you the whole time. I’ve listened to this song at least five or six times and each time I get the same vibe: It’s a declaration of war, it’s throwing down the gauntlet of metal and not asking to be listened to but demanding to be listened to.

What’s fanning that white hot flame inside you to produce something this aggressive and violent sounding, and in some way/shape/form, is this a musical statement of sorts?

Lastly, did Jacques or the other guys in the band contribute to this track or add anything to the other songs on the record?

JR: Well, all the anger comes from 40 + years of frustration. I`ve always been trying to prove myself as a dedicated musician no matter what the cost, but there`s always twists and turns as you're trying to reach your goal.With this band I have full control of everything, I do invite suggestions from the other guys, but I have final say. I think this record sounds the way it does because it`s my vision of what I think a good metal album should sound like. Metal music has to sound violent and motivating, which comes natural for me when I`m writing riffs.

WC: Speaking of the guys in the band, how did the lineup for POWERRAGE come about? Who contacted who to get this lineup in place? I imagine you and Jacques Belanger remained friends outside of EXCITER. Was he the first person you approached when you started POWERRAGE?

JR: We recorded the 8 songs live off the floor in our rehearsal hall (PRHQ, POWERRAGE  headquarters ) but the vocals were done at our producer`s studio. For the music I wanted a raw live sound which we have in our rehearsal hall which is basically a warehouse where the sound was bouncing off the brick walls at  volume 10, ha, ha.

There wasn`t much bleeding in the recording, our producer brought in his mobile studio, digital mixer, software and good mics and we just went for it. It was me that suggested we record at PRHQ , that room sounds live, I didn`t want to record in a place where it was a controlled environment.

JB: John and I have always been on good terms, even after the conflicts that led me to leave EXCITER... three times rather than once. Without going into details, I can say that John resented me greatly after my last departure in 2006 and even swore that we would never play in the same band again. For my part, I have always had enormous respect for what John has accomplished in his musical career. A few years ago, when he asked me to start a new project with him, I told him that I would be delighted to work with him again.

WC: There's a raw, live aspect to POWERRAGE’'s sound on "Dark Wings” which adds to the intensity of what we’re listening to. Were you shooting for POWERRAGE’'s music to sound like this or did it just happen? Tell me about the production and recording process that went into the making of your debut album, “Beast”.

JR: The way it happened is that after leaving EXCITER in 2018, I was enjoying my time with my other hobbies and not been involved in the music business and no stress, no musicians. I had every intention to continue but I was in no hurry.

The credit goes to our bassist Todd Pilon who persuaded me to pick up the pieces and continue. At that point I asked Jacques if he was interested, and he said yes. Yes, Jacques and I remained friends, I had been in touch with Jacques off and on over the years. 

When it came to drummers we had a bit of a challenge; I was looking for a good drummer with a good attitude. When Lucas answered my advertisement for drummer we spoke on the phone, and I liked his attitude right away. He auditioned and passed it.

JB: John absolutely wanted the album to have a “live” feel to it. That is why he insisted on recording the album live off the floor. Only the vocals and some guitar leads were recorded after the music. I think the result speaks for itself.   

WC: What is making POWERRAGE fire on all cylinders because like I said before, the new single "Dark Wings," is an ass kicker. There's something happening here, and it sounds big and dynamic. Is it a musical rejuvenation of sorts, or an embracement of creative freedom?

JR: For me, “Dark Wings” is creative freedom, I don`t have to collaborate with anyone. The band trusts my vision, I know what to do to make the band sound exciting. My musical approach is `full on` on the time. As far as “Dark Wings” sounding big and dynamic, the recording was recorded by Manfred Leidecker and George Henderson and mixed and mastered by Dan Swano at Unisound.

WC: Before we end this interview, tell me what got both of you into metal, what was the gateway band or record or concert that just instantly connected both of you to this genre?

JR: In the 60`s I listened to everything but the heavy distorted guitar sound from the bands from the late 60`s really made an impression on me. Back in those days you really couldn`t get distorted tones from your amp so I was always looking for the ultimate distortion stompbox, ha, ha. The bands I would say that got me into the heavier side of music would be SABBATH and PRIEST for sure.

JB: JUDAS PRIEST has been my favorite band since I was a teenager a few centuries ago (lol). From age 5 or 6, I always wanted to be on stage. When I heard “Unleashed in the East”, I was blown away, something that does not often happen to me. Through the years, my influences were Halford, Dickinson and Dio. I guess the Halford influence is the one that stuck the most. 

WC: Kind of continuing with the last question, did any 60’s bands like IRON BUTTERFLY, BLUE CHEER, STEPPENWOLF, CREAM, etc., have any kind of hold on you / influence you regarding what prompted you to pick up an instrument and crank it to ’11?

JR: As far as nostalgia bands as you mentioned ,in 1970 I went to see GRAND FUNK RAILROAD here in the city at the Civic Center Arena , it was an incredible show , to see a trio play at full volume was mesmerizing , I was that kid right up against the stage taking it all in , I couldn`t hear for 3 days after that show , lol ! That was it for me , the show, the lights , the music etc . That`s when I decided this is what I want to do .....

 JB: I do not play any instrument. I mainly listen to the vocals. I listen to a lot of old prog rock (YES, JETHRO TULL, GENTLE GIANT, etc.), but none of those bands have had an influence on the way I worked on my voice.

WC: Back to the present day. Are there plans to tour, any festival appearances lined up so far regarding POWERRAGE? What does 2026 look like for the band? I imagine the costs to hit the road and tour regarding gas, lodging, etc. is still pretty expensive.

JR: At this time there`s no shows but we have a confirmed festival show in Europe in 2027, but I`m sure there will be other shows in 2026. Yes, the logistics of touring is very challenging, I`d rather do festivals if possible. To go out on the road is one big stress endeavor. 

In the 80`s  my previous band did mini-van tours or proper tours on the rock and roll tour bus but there`s always obstacles you have to overcome. Besides tight money on tours,  I don`t really want to do that again if I can help it. 

WC: Jacques, whatever happened with your band ASSASSIN’S BLADE, is it still around? That was some seriously good metal.

JB: You are right, ASSASSIN’S BLADE was a damned good band. Peter is probably the most talented musician and lyricist I have ever worked with. I am totally amazed by the fact that, despite the distance (between Sweden and Canada), we managed to create two solid albums on Pure Steel Records (“Agents of Mystification” [2016] and “Gather Darkness” [2019]). 

Unfortunately, the band ceased to exist, mainly because of distance. I recorded some guest vocals on other projects Peter worked on, but that was it. I have very fond memories of the work I did with this band and with Manfred Leidecker while recording the vocals here in Canada.    

WC: I’m curious, and I won’t dwell on this, have both of you found peace and closure with your time in EXCITER? Is that period in your lives well in the rear-view mirror, no looking back at this point in both of your careers?

JR: I’m moving forward , no EXCITER for me, I`m in a comfort zone now.

JB: John and I do not have the same reaction toward the great work we accomplished together. I think John still feels a lot of resentment toward people who have not been fair to him, so he tends to keep his distance from EXCITER. Personally, I think John “was” EXCITER, and I am proud of what we produced together. I certainly hope we will play tunes from “Dark Command” and “Blood of Tyrants” during our live shows.

WC: This last question is an open forum for both of you to say whatever you want. Is there anything we haven't covered that you'd like the fans to know?

JR: POWERRAGE should please old EXCITER fans and new POWERRAGE fans!

JB: After ASSASSIN’S BLADE, I seriously thought my career as a metal vocalist was over. I can only thank John and my bandmates for putting their trust in me. See you later, somewhere in the world.  

POWERRAGE