John Ricci (formerly of Excited) reveals new band Powerrage

Former Exciter guitarist John Ricci has formed a new band, Powerrage. Bassist Todd Pilon (formerly of Witchkiller), vocalist Jacques Bélanger (who previously sung on three Exciter albums: “The Dark Command” [1997], “Blood Of Tyrants” [2000], and “New Testament” [2004]), and drummer Lucas Dery will join him on stage. A new record is set to be released in the summer or fall of 2025.

Ricci had left Exciter in 1985, after the release of the band’s first three iconic albums, “Heavy Metal Maniac” (1983), “Violence & Force” (1984), and “Long Live the Loud” (1985). Exciter’s most recent album, “Death Machine,” which included Ricci as the only remaining original member, was released in October 2010 via Massacre Records. Ricci, Beehler, and Johnson reformed as Exciter in 2014 and had been doing infrequent gigs until John’s recent resignation.