Exciter
In the mid-eighties, Exciter rivaled bands like Metallica, Anthrax, Raven and fellow Canadians Anvil for power/thrash metal superiority and were growing extremely popular. I was a big fan of their first two album but lost track of them after that. By 1993 the band was at a low, with only drummer/vocalist Dan Beehler remaining from the old days. After several years of silence, original guitarist John Ricci put together a new lineup in 1996 and began releasing albums that were as good as, if not better than their old material. A friend asked me if I'd like to check out "Blood of Tyrants." This album rekindled my interest in this band.

Heavy Metal Maniac Exciter-Heavy Metal Maniac (cdr) 1983

1. "The Holocaust" -instrumental (1:43)
2. "Stand Up and Fight" (2:45)
3. "Heavy Metal Maniac" (3:48)
4. "Iron Dogs" (6:00)
5. "Mistress of Evil" (5:16)
6. "Under Attack" (4:17)
7. "Rising of the Dead" (3:33)
8. "Blackwitch" (7:04)
9. "Cry of the Banshee" (3:49)
10. "World War III" (3:44)

Well, to fill in the void until I get a real copy of this thrash metal monster, a kind trader made me this cdr complete with all the artwork. 'Heavy Metal Maniac' had to be one of the very first thrash albums to come out, with only Raven beating them to the punch. Still, at the time, Exciter were contendors with Metallica and Anthrax for thrash metal superiority, and this disc shows why. It had the speed, aggression, and attitude. A few songs have the rather silly 'evil' type lyrics that were typical of the early 80's thrash movement, but overall, a great release.

Violence & Force Exciter-Violence & Force (Steamhammer) 1984

1. "Oblivion"-instrumental (0:33)
2. "Violence & Force" (4:04)
3. "Scream in the Night" (4:14)
4. "Pounding Metal" (4:35)
5. "Destructor" (4:18)
6. "Swords of Darkness" (3:57)
7. "Delivering to the Master" (6:06)
8. "Saxons of the Fire" (3:27)
9. "War is Hell" (6:19)

A re-issue of the Canadian speed-metal classic, rivaled only by Raven for more lunatic metal, and certainly usurping Manowar's crown as the heaviest band in 1984. Certainly Exciter may well have been one of the very first thrash bands. "Pouding Metal" was a favorite of mine for years and was one of those songs I put on every compilation tape I would make for friends. Unfortunately this re-issue features little in the way of packaging, but as I recall the original didn't have much either. The cover on this album always made me laugh, ever wonder how that hand is holding onto the switchblade that looks like it's metaphysically dangling?

Long Live the Loud Exciter-Long Live the Loud/Feel the Knife 1985

1. "Fall Out"-instrumental (1:55)
2. "Long Live the Loud" (4:19)
3. "I Am the Beast" (4:50)
4. "Victims of Sacrifice" (4:58)
5. "Beyond the Gates of Doom" (5:08)
6. "Sudden Impact" (4:04)
7. "Born to Die" (6:03)
8. "Wake Up Screaming" (10:00)
9. "Feel the Knife" (2:57)
10. "Violence & Force"-live (4:23)
11. "Pounding Metal"-live (6:13)

Picked up this excellent re-issue from Molten Metal USA. Not exactly sure who re-issued the disc as there is no record company listed, no copyright material nor any catalogue numbers, so I can only assume it's a very high quality bootleg recording. (Old Metal Records perhaps?) Anyhow the music on this album continues in the hyper, speed metal of the first two albums with Dan Beehler busting a gut singing as high as he possibly can. Nice to have the 'Feel the Knife' EP as bonus tracks. There are other re-releases of this album that do not contain these three extra tracks.

Exciter (Maze Music) 1988

1. "Scream Bloody Murder" (4:40)
2. "Back in the Light" (3:33)
3. "Ready to Rock" (4:17)
4. "O.T.T." (3:59)
5. "I Wanna Be King" (4:22)
6. "Enemy Lines" (3:59)
7. "Dying to Live" (4:35)
8. "Playin' With Fire" (4:33)
9. "Eyes in the Sky" (4:54)
10. "Termination" (2:16)

Beehler and his speed metal cohorts slow it down a notch or two for this one and bring in something unforgivable in thrash metal circles; melody. That's not to say the album isn't still heavy. Personally I think it was an improvement, although the band's fan base didn't seem to go for it and this album didn't do well for the pioneers of speed and aggression. The band broke up for a time after this one and Beehler never returned.

The Dark Command Exciter-The Dark Command (Osmose) 1997

1. The Dark Command" (3:40)
2. Burn at the Stake" (4:46)
3. Aggressor" (3:30)
4. Assassins in Rage" (3:17)
5. Ritual Death" (5:30)
6. Sacred War" (3:55)
7. Let Us Prey" (5:08)
8. Executioner" (4:11)
9. Suicide Overdose" (2:36)
10. Screams from the Gallows" (4:10)

In 1996 a new Exciter line-up was formed. Joining original guitarist, John Ricci is vocalist, Jacques Belanger, drummer, Rik Charron, and bassist, Marc Charron. Soon after their reformation "The Dark Command" was released. This "new" material sounds a lot like their original, fast, aggressive, speed metal sound, although the vocals are a bit more melodic yet still biting and aggressive. The lyrics haven't changed much over the years either. Exciter still likes to portray the stereotypical "evil" image with songs of death and war. If you can overlook this, then the music is spectacular. Obtained this cd from an internet trade on the PM Board. Thanks Alec.

Blood of Tyrants Exciter-Blood of Tyrants (Osmose) 2000

1. "Metal Crusade" (4:11)
2. "Rule With An Iron Fist" (3:47)
3. "Intruders" (3:23)
4. "Predetor" (3:23)
5. "Martial Law" (3:11)
6. "War Cry" (3:33)
7. "Brutal Warning" (3:49)
8. "Weapons of Mass Destruction" (3:23)
9. "Blood of Tyrants" (3:09)
10. "Violator" (3:52)

As I said in the short bio above, it was this cd that rekindled my interest in this band. "Blood of Tyrants" is one fast and furious metal album. I suppose some would label it thrash, while others would say speed metal. I'm not sure what to label it, but the music is furious and the vocals are just plain cool. I didn't know bands still made metal like this in 2000. Metal freak flag's are flyin' high in the Exciter camp.

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