Former EXCITER guitarist John Ricci has spoken about his new band POWERRAGE, which features vocalist Jacques Bélanger and drummer Lucas Dery.

The band's debut album, 'Beast', will arrive on April 24 via High Roller Records.

Ricci stated that he wanted to start from scratch with POWERRAGE after feeling stuck in the same old heavy metal formula for decades.

He revealed that he has been working on new material, both musically and lyrically, since his departure from EXCITER in 2018.

Ricci's vocals will be featured on eight tracks on 'Beast', which include the doom/death riffs of early classic EXCITER and a hint of MERCYFUL FATE influence.

Ricci wrote everything on 'Beast' music-wise, and he emphasized that POWERRAGE is 100% his musical vision with no rehashed riffs from his EXCITER days.

The second single, "Dragon Man", will be released on March 23.

Ricci left EXCITER in 2018 after serving the band for many years; however, this wasn't his first departure as he previously parted ways with the band in 1985.