Powerrage Beast CD  (Slipcase, 2026, High Roller Records)

Beast is the debut full-length studio album from Canadian speed and heavy metal band Powerrage, featuring a formidable lineup of veteran musicians from Exciter, Witchkiller, Reckless and Assassin's Blade. Led by legendary guitarist John Ricci, Powerrage marks the return of one of the most influential figures in Canadian heavy metal with a brand-new musical vision.

Alongside Ricci, Powerrage features vocalist Jacques Bélanger, bassist Todd Pilon, formerly of Witchkiller, and drummer Lucas Dery. Bélanger previously appeared on three classic Exciter albums, The Dark Command (1997), Blood Of Tyrants (2000) and New Testament (2004), making Beast an especially significant release for fans of Canadian heavy metal and the wider underground metal scene.

Although Powerrage features two former Exciter members, John Ricci is clear that Beast was never intended to be another Exciter album. Instead, the guitarist deliberately approached Powerrage as a fresh beginning, writing completely new material and developing a sound that moves beyond the legacy of his former band.

"I didn't want to be another Exciter. It was time to move on," explains Ricci. "I wanted to start from scratch and start all over again."

That fresh approach gives Beast a distinctive character. Across eight original tracks, Powerrage combine the aggressive riffing associated with classic Canadian heavy metal with darker and heavier influences drawn from early doom and death metal, while elements of classic Exciter and early heavy metal can also be heard throughout the album.

Tracks such as Dark Wings and Haunted Hell demonstrate the album's crushing and sinister side, while the almost punk-infused I Torture I Kill adds another dimension to Powerrage's uncompromising approach.

The band's sound is difficult to categorise neatly, but that is part of the appeal. Beast combines speed metal aggression, traditional heavy metal riffing, dark doom influences and an unmistakable old-school underground atmosphere. Jacques Bélanger's distinctive vocals add another layer of character, bringing a dramatic and occasionally sinister edge to Ricci's heavy guitar work.

Importantly, Beast is entirely driven by John Ricci's own musical vision. Ricci wrote the music, lyrics and melodies for all eight tracks, with every song being completely new material rather than recycled ideas from his Exciter years.

The recording process was equally direct. Following the approach used for Powerrage's earlier two-song demo, the instrumental performances were recorded live off the floor in the band's rehearsal studio, with Manfred Leidecker and George Henderson operating a mobile recording setup. Vocals were subsequently recorded at Leidecker's studio under more controlled conditions.

The album was mixed and mastered by renowned Swedish musician and producer Dan Swanö at Unisound, adding a powerful and professional finish while retaining the raw energy of the band's live recording approach.

For fans of classic Canadian metal, Beast is a particularly significant release. John Ricci's importance to the development of speed metal through Exciter is well established, but Powerrage demonstrates that his creativity extends well beyond that legendary band.

The result is an uncompromising debut that sounds rooted in the darker side of 1980s heavy metal while refusing to simply recreate the past. Beast is heavy, aggressive, dark and unmistakably old school, but it is also a genuine new chapter for John Ricci.

Recommended for fans of Powerrage, John Ricci, Exciter, Witchkiller, Reckless and Assassin's Blade, as well as listeners who enjoy classic speed metal, traditional heavy metal, doom metal, early death metal and underground Canadian metal.

Also recommended for fans of Venom, Motörhead, Mercyful Fate, early doom metal, Canadian speed metal and other raw, aggressive and old-school heavy metal.

Ideal for collectors of Canadian heavy metal, speed metal, traditional heavy metal, underground metal, classic metal and High Roller Records releases.

Whether you're an Exciter collector following John Ricci's next chapter or simply looking for a powerful new old-school metal release, Powerrage – Beast delivers eight brand-new songs packed with crushing riffs, dark atmosphere and genuine heavy metal attitude.

Artist: Powerrage 
Title:  Beast 
Label: High Roller Records
Catalogue Number: HRR1053CD
UPC: 4251267724420
Release Year: 2026
Duration: Album
Format: CD 
Packaging Type: Jewel Case
Condition: New & factory sealed

Tracklist:

1. Dark Wings
2. Cremation Damnation
3. Dragon Man
4. Haunted Hell
5. I Torture I Kill
6. The Devil Is Screaming
7. Damned And Cursed
8. The Black Mass