They returned fast and fiery, fueled by the never-dying flames of Thrash and Speed metal in their souls... The legends from Ottawa have decided to turn hell loose once again with their 9th studio album. These kids have absolutely no intention of innovating! They live and breathe the ‘80s. Thirty years have passed, yet they’re still ready to punch you in the face with a high-tempo Speed metal album. And they do it with a raw, gritty sound. After eight years without a new release, the band resurrects the dirty noise of the ‘80s with a speed- and aggression-driven album, keeping that spirit alive. It sounds like it was recorded back then, only to be dusted off and unleashed decades later... Exciter fires up with rapid riffs, high-pitched vocals, and of course, screams.
Being a creator of Speed Metal is a distinction held by Canadian bands like Exciter and Anvil, following in the footsteps of Motörhead, Raven, and Judas Priest—mentioning anyone else would be unfair.
Tracklist:
Thrash Speed Burn
Demon's Gate
Evil Omen
Hangman
In Mortal Fear
Crucifixion
Betrayal
The Punisher
Massacre Mountain
Rot The Devil King
Lineup: New vocalist Kenny Winter, founding guitarist John Ricci, bassist Rob "Clammy" Cohen, and drummer Rick Charron.
Questions had been swirling in fans’ minds—Jacques Bélanger, who joined later, had become a familiar voice for Exciter’s fans, but what about new vocalist Kenny Winter, appearing for the first time on this album? Those worries are now laid to rest. Kenny is truly exceptional, with a more striking vocal tone than his predecessor. Beyond just hitting soaring notes, his voice carries immense power. For fans missing early Exciter vocalist Dan Beehler, Kenny’s style brings the band’s sound closer to those formative years. His scream-laden vocals, reminiscent of Rob Halford and early Bobby Blitz, perfectly complement the music’s atmosphere, injecting a fierce and wild energy.
Production-wise, the album may feel a bit weak, and the lyrics are far from professional. Charles Fairfield, an important producer in the genre, helped the band maintain their traditional sound. Throughout the album, double kick drums sometimes sound uneven and offbeat, while the bass is clear and guitars could have been stronger. John Ricci, the band’s sole founding member, carries the music with his complex riffs. Speed, aggression, and rawness dominate every track, which might make it hard to distinguish songs from each other.
However, tracks like “Thrash Speed Burn,” “Demon’s Gate,” and “Massacre Mountain” will be pure medicine for those craving Thrash Metal nostalgia. “Thrash Speed Burn” is a true Speed metal classic. On the other hand, “Crucifixion” slows down the album’s pace with a heavy, tormenting atmosphere—especially in the first minutes—but remains captivating nonetheless. With “In Mortal Fear,” Charron pulls the drum patterns into a more standard Thrash Metal groove. “Evil Omen” starts with an ominous, unpredictable hum and breaks from the overall fast pace, adopting a mid-tempo style. The choral vocals shouting “Evil Omen” come off somewhat monotonous. The album’s mood snaps back into gear with “The Punisher,” where the insane guitar solo will blow your mind.
If you want an Old School Thrash/Speed album straight from the ‘80s, this is a must-listen. Its deadly impact needs no debate. But if you’re tired of all this, well, the choice is yours.