Next week, California hardcore/thrash metal crossover band, EXCEL, will reissue their debut album Split Image via Southern Lord, and to mark the occasion, an official online store has been launched, and several tracks from the remastered classic album are now streaming.
Originally released through Suicidal and Caroline records and produced by Randy Burns (Death, Possessed, Megadeth, Kreator, Suicidal Tendencies), EXCEL‘s Split Image is widely regarded as a classic album. This Southern Lord reissue has been remastered by Brad Boatright (Bl’ast!, Sleep, Obituary, Black Breath) and comes with a massive amount of bonus material including the Welcome to Venice comp tracks, Personal Onslaught Demo & Refuse to Quit Demo). The LP Includes a 32 page 7″X7″ booklet with tons of photos from the era and a 11″ x 17″ poster of the original Michael Seiff album cover artwork. The CD contains bonus demo material (Personal Onslaught & Refuse to Quit Demos), the booklet containing many rare and previously unreleased photos. A crucial documentation of an essential crossover band.
Check out the official EXCEL store with multiple package options HERE and preview three of the remastered tracks from Split Image HERE.
Having formed in 1984, EXCEL released three studio albums as well as a number of demos and singles. Equally informed by punk rock’s attitude and heavy metal’s riffs, the band’s fast, grinding sounds, combined with their intelligent lyrics, set them apart as a genre defining band of the era. The current lineup — Dan Clements on vocals, Shaun Ross on bass, Mike Cosgrove on drums and Alex Barreto (Chain Of Strength) on guitar — will play the Southern Lord Recordings showcase on October 15th in Los Angeles with Goatsnake, Xibalba, Obliterations, Baptists and Torch Runner, and their first South American appearance on October 25th at the Clash Club in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
“Maybe there is life in Venice, CA, that doesn’t involve the beach; iron pumpers and Suicidal Tendencies, since that’s all you seem to hear about. Yes? Of course, there is always EXCEL! Their demos were major impression sessions and now with the release of their first album “Split Image”, the direction of EXCEL is officially exposed. Combining a rabble-rousing attack of metal with deep hardcore roots, the outcome is thick and heavy with sudden excursions into the rapids. b is definitely brick material, hard and sturdy. Not suffering from snare core, they advance with sonic power and creep forth with an awesome fatness.” – Pushead – Thrasher Magazine #2, 1988
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