Excelsius – 'The Final Evolution'

Straight, to the point lyrics and tight beats make The Final Evolution by Excelsius a hot release.

Excelsius also serves God as a pastor (Rev. M. Xavier Marshall) and it shows. Throughout this project he is teaching, whether overtly in several 2-3 minute sermonettes between tracks, or in the songs themselves, his teacher’s wisdom comes across strong. To my mind, this is not a bad thing. He generally includes Scripture references, and he’s on track with his message, many of which have to do with music and God’s purposes in giving us music. He’s all about giving God His due, His glory; what’s not to enjoy?

And he’s not so busy preaching that he forgets to give us good music. These songs are well written, well produced, and interestingly presented (“1st Round Draft Pick” and the in-your-face “Calling Out Names –Part 2”). Excelsius doesn’t back off of the truth, whether it’s about what is and isn’t holiness (“Holiness Ft. Dkun Frost”) spiritual warfare (“WW111 Ft. Satizfyed”), or growing up without a father (“Walkin’ Round Mad”). I dug the wild “Give Up the Praise” for its willingness to call out the fools and the posers who wanna be like the world. Excelsius comes on strong and his beats are off the hook. He includes a little beauty too: “Forever Ft. Davy.” All in all, a lot of good Scriptural exhortation couched in some hot sounds, Excelsius out of Texas.