I introduced you to the Finns of Excalion' and their melodic metal with their last two albums 'Dream Alive' in 2017 and 'Emotions' in 2019. 2023 sees the release of their successor 'One Upon a Time'. Always in a very melodic register with compositions that we appropriate at first listen, they offer us 11 original and varied compositions with, here and there, a few pinches of progressive.
And this diversity begins with the first two titles which form a single one with, first of all, the heavy mid-tempo 'Keitele' with its marked rhythm which offers a very original rhythmic acceleration in the middle title with a remarkable central guitar solo, then, 'Resolution' takes over with an introduction on drums which continues with an energetic and catchy composition developing a catchy melodic sequence between verses and chorus with a rich rhythm section and which offers a beautiful instrumental passage in the second part of the title, ' Aleksi Hirvonen' making his guitar sing. Follows the single 'Soulbound' (see the video above) which shows an epic and powerful side with a raging drums but which brings a nice break followed by a new admirable guitar solo in the second part of the title, then, 'Words Cannot Heal' continues in this powerful and melodic metal and could have quite claimed, too, to be chosen as a single. With 'Amuse Me', it's still a direct and super effective melodic metal hit with a marked rhythm that would have no trouble competing with the best catchy compositions of 'Nightwish', then the eponymous title brings this progressive side and theatrical highlighting a magnificent performance of 'Marcus Lång' with his very expressive vocals and which benefits from a beautiful instrumental section in the middle of the title. The second part of the album alternates energetic compositions and other more moderate ones with an unleashed 'I Am I' led by a frenzied rhythm section and with a new chorus to be sung in chorus until the voice dies out (see the video here) which is followed by the power ballad 'When a Moment Turns into a Lifetime' which allows a well-deserved break after the previous title, 'Marcus Lång' also showing all its vocal talent in this style. Here we go again with the rhythmic 'Radiant Halo' which adds an additional melodic hit, then, it's again a break ballad with the magnificent 'Eternals' and the album ends with the energetic 'Band of Brothers', true power metal anthem with rich vocal arrangements and an unbridled rhythm section that is once again at the party.
In short, like the Swedes from 'Narnia', the Finns of Excalion' show once again that the Nordic countries are purveyors of good melodic metal and that this latest album 'Once Upon a Time' should make people happy all fans of the Finns but also should also appeal to all those who love metal with melodic lines that are tamed at first listen... | |
