EXILED – Ghost in the Winter Review

EXILED – Ghost in the Winter

Killer Metal Records

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This is an unexpected come back. I had the chance to purchase the last album of the band in 2007 under the title “Blood Sea” and after that I haven’t heard from them until now. So, it was kind of a good surprise for me that EXILED are back with a new release.

For those of you that don’t have a clue regarding the band let me give you some information. The band started under the name CASON (actually from the name of the singer Jason Cason and founder of the band), then changed into NIGHT STALKER and after that took the name that they have until today. The band released its debut album in 2002 and in 2007 their sophomore and last until now release came out. Meanwhile the singer John Cason was quite busy and never quit the metal genre since he recorded two albums with RITUAL STEEL in 2007 and 2013.

EXILED are back with a new album and of course new musicians that are worth to mention. On guitars you can find a very good and high class guitarist like Johnny Frankenshred (you have to check out his releases with his band FRANKENSHRED and he is also the guitarist of COMMANDMENT), on the bass you can find Rob Erwin and on the drums Sage Johnson (ex MASTER). So we are talking about a new band with only John Carson to be the link with the band’s past.

The new members, however, have managed to keep the heavy/speed metal sound of EXILED and they also managed to give it a more technical or even progressive touch if you prefer. So, here you will listen to an 80’s driven heavy/speed metal sound with some thrash touches, that personally speaking reminded me of bands like HELSTAR, ATTACKER and LIEGE LORD. Also the sudden changes that you witness in the melodies and rhythm section of the songs give the progressive aspect which reminded me a bit of SLAUTER XSTROYES. Finally the voice of John Cason has this resemblance to the voice of King Diamond that fits perfectly to the lyrics of this album since many of them have a horror touch.

EXILED are back with an album that has all the elements that a fan of heavy/speed metal sound wants to enjoy. So check it out…

Nick “Verkaim” Parastatidis