Excalion
Excalion is a Finnish metal band led by Jarmo Myllyvirta that has released five albums since 2005.[3] They are largely studio-based and have toured only in their native country.[4]
Excalion | |
---|---|
Excalion at John Smith 2019 festival in Peurunka, Finland | |
Background information | |
Origin | Konnevesi, Finland |
Genres | Heavy metal, speed metal, power metal[1][2] |
Years active | 2000—present |
Labels | Sound Riot, Limb |
Website | excalion |
Members | Marcus Lång Aleksi Hirvonen Jarmo Myllyvirta Onni Hirvonen Henri Pirkkalainen |
Past members | Tero Vaaja Timo Sahlberg Kimmo Hänninen Jarmo Pääkkönen Vesa Nupponen |
History
The band was formed in December 2000 in Konnevesi, central Finland. The name came from a misspelling of Excalibur, suggested by ex-bassist Timo Sahlberg.[5] In the autumn of 2001, Excalion recorded their first demo, Forlorn. The next two years, the band played a few gigs while working on their material. In autumn of 2003, Excalion made a second demo titled Obsession to Prosper. At the end of 2003 the band signed a deal with Sound Riot Records, and the recording of Excalion's debut album was finished at Studio Watercastle (Jyväskylä) in September 2004. The debut album, Primal Exhale, was released through Sound Riot Records in autumn 2005.[6][7] In Japan it was released by Stay Gold/Art Union Records.
Early 2005, before the release, the band went through some line-up changes. Kimmo Hänninen left the band and bassist Timo Sahlberg left shortly after. When the band found a new guitarist, Vesa Nupponen, the decision was made that Tero Vaaja would switch to the bass, and Excalion would continue as a five-member band with one guitar.[8]
In May 2006, the band began to record their second album, Waterlines. The material for this album was more melodic with a greater emphasis on the vocal lines.[3] The recordings once again took place in Watercastle Studio while the band decided to move to Limb Music (except Japan) after issues with the previous record company.[5] It was released 2 March 2007.[9]
On 29 January 2010, the album High Time was released, again in Limb Music.[10] In 2014 it was announced that Nupponen and Pääkkönen had left the band and were replaced by Marcus Lång on vocals and Aleksi Hirvonen on guitars.[11]
On 5 July 2017, the album named Dream Alive was presented on Katse Ravintola in Jyväskylä city. Being this the first show with this new material and formation with Onni Hirvonen on bass guitars.
Members
Current members
- Jarmo Myllyvirta - keyboards (2000-present)
- Onni Hirvonen - bass (2016-present)
- Henri Pirkkalainen - drums (2000-present)
- Aleksi Hirvonen - guitars (2014-present)
- Marcus Lång - vocals (2015-present)
Former members
- Timo Sahlberg - bass (2000-2005)
- Kimmo Hänninen - guitars (2000-2005)
- Jarmo Pääkkönen - vocals (2000-2014)
- Vesa Nupponen - guitars (2005-2014)
- Tero Vaaja - bass (2000-2005, 2005-2016)
Timeline
Discography
- Primal Exhale (2005)
- Waterlines (2007)
- High Time (2010)
- Dream Alive (2017)
- Emotions (2019)
References
- "Excalion biography". Retrieved 18 June 2013.
- "Excalion". 26 April 2013. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
- "Excalion interview (06/2010) - Metal Storm". www.metalstorm.net. Retrieved 28 October 2015.
- "Thoughts Of Metal - Interviews". users.telenet.be. Retrieved 28 October 2015.
- "Excalion Interview". www.powerofmetal.dk. Retrieved 28 October 2015.
- "Discography". Excalion. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
- "Excalion - Primal Exhale". Discogs. Retrieved 28 October 2015.
- "Excalion interview @ Tartareandesire.com". www.tartareandesire.com. Retrieved 28 October 2015.
- "Excalion - Waterlines". Discogs. Retrieved 28 October 2015.
- "High Time". Excalion. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
- "Excalion - News". www.excalion.com. Retrieved 28 October 2015.