Al Johnson		 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 albums 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 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)

Finally scored a real copy of this CD, although there is no record company listed on here, so I can only assume it's a bootleg. '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 contenders 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] (: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 reissue 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. "Pounding 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 reissue 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?

Another track was recorded for this album that was only released on a couple of rare compilation CDs. "Death Revenge" was released on Megaforce's "The Megavault" and "Deeper Into the Vaults" compilation.

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 reissue from Molten Metal USA. Not exactly sure who reissued 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.

Unveiling the Wicked Exciter-Unveiling the Wicked 1986

1. "Break Down the Walls" (6:40)
2. "Brainstorm" [instrumental] (1:32)
3. "Die in the Night" (4:12)
4. "(I Hate) School Rules" (3:57)
5. "Shout It Out" (4:39)
6. "Invasion/Waiting in the Dark" (5:42)
7. "Living Evil" (6:59)
8. "Live Fast, Die Young" (3:54)
9. "Mission Destroy" (5:55)

High pitched, high energy, earth shaking heavy metal! "Unveiling the Wicked" remains pretty close to the formula the band has followed since the beginning. There are a few more commercial moments on this disc, although no one would dare to say that this disc approaches 'sellout.' Dan Beehler's vocals are still glass shattering, the riffs still pummeling, and the speed is still there for the most part as well. However, songs like "Die In The Night" and "School Rules" slow things down a tad and give the disc a bit more variety than past albums. For some reason these two songs remind me of fellow Canadian metalhead's Anvil. This is one of the more rare Exciter releases. Not even sure who released this CD version. I was always under the assumption the "Unveiling the Wicked" never made it to CD, however, since I have a disc sitting in my hand right now, I was obviously wrong.

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)

Dan 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 to well for the pioneers of speed and aggression. Not sure why though, as Metallica did the same thing on "Master of Puppets" in 1986 and their popularity exploded. Besides there are still plenty of speed metal to be had in tracks like "Scream Bloody Murder" and "Enemy Lines". One other big change on this album was that Dan Beehler relinquished his role as lead vocalist, hiring an equally high-range shrieker Rob Malnati. Despite having grown up with groundbreaking albums like "Violence & Force" and "Heavy Metal Maniac", this CD gets more play in my CD player than both those early CDs together. As is printed on the back of this CD, "This album was specially mixed to be played LOUD & PROUD!" This is certainly one of the most underrated CDs in Exciter's catalogue.

Better Live Exciter - Better Live Than Dead (Pilot) 1991(?)

1. "Stand Up & Fight" (2:58)
2. "Heavy Metal Maniacs" (3:40)
3. "Victims of Sacrifice" (5:01)
4. "Under Attack" (4:19)
5. "Sudden Impact" (4:06)
6. "Delivering to the Master" (6:06)
7. "I Am The Beast" (4:41)
8. "Blackwitch" (7:23)
9. "Long Live the Loud" (5:07)
10. "Rising Of the Dead" (3:51)
11. "Cry of the Banshee" (4:07)
12. "Pounding Metal" (5:18)
13. "Violence & Force" (5:05)

Exciter recorded live at a club in February of 1991. There is very little information given about this disc, although it does feature original vocalist/drummer Dan Beehler and guitarist John Ricci. The recording isn't bad, but not overly polished either, giving a true live feel. It is obvious that little, if any, overdubs or studio fixes were done. The reason I say that is because some of John's guitar solos are botched. This becomes painfully obvious since there is only one guitarist, and thus only bass and drums backing the guitar solos. It's hard to hide mistakes when you are out on you own like that. Anyhow, despite this, there is a sense of excitement and energy that is conveyed on the disc, which is what I like about live albums. The material featured is all pulled from the band's first three albums, which most would consider their best. I particularly enjoyed the material on the last half of the disc. Tracks 9 through 13 are some of the band's finest.

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)		 Exciter 1997

In 1996 a new Exciter lineup 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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