When you're trying to build a new work under an old foundation, you can commit the greater mistake for a band: to copy someone. You don't need to reinvent the wheel to make something good, but you must be yourself. A fine example: METALLICA was the first band to record a Thrash Metal album, and TESTAMENT is a Thrash Metal band as well, but the common feature between them is the musical personality: one isn't like the other, and that's what I mean. And it seems that EXILED, a band from Phoenix, Arizona (USA), knows clearly what I mean, for their fourth album, "Ghost in the Winter," is a good release.

They play a Metal format that sounds a lot like that U.S. Metal from the 80's, with great influence from MANOWAR in some parts (due the musical weight they unleash), but unlike many others, they create something different. Obviously, those 80's clichés are presented here, but they use them to create something really good for our ears. Their only sin lays on the sound quality of "Ghost in the Winter". It's not so bad, but that feeling that "I want to be a Metal band from the 80's" is presented here. It's too crude for their musical work, and today, modern techs give a help for something a bit more actual. And the instrumental tunes could be better as well. We're not in the 80's anymore, so do something organic and crude, but with a better sound quality next time, guys.

But musically, they are pretty good. Songs as the fast and energetic "Closing In" and "The Hundred Year Famine" (this one with slow and heavy parts, with excellent guitars), the very good weight and excellent tempos of "Ghost in the Winter", and the grasping heavy moments of "The Secret Gathering" will make you shake your heads in happiness. There are things to be improve (the vocals are good, but could be better), but "Ghost in the Winter" really is a good album, and EXILED can become great as these improvements are done.