Exciter (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1978 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada |
| Headquarters | Ottawa , Canada |
| Products | Music albums, live performances |
Exciter is a speed metal group originating from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, established in 1978. Taking their name from a track by Judas Priest, they are acknowledged as trailblazers in the speed metal genre and have significantly influenced the evolution of thrash metal. Despite experiencing multiple personnel shifts, modest commercial achievements, and two periods of disbandment (in 1989 and 1993), Exciter has preserved a loyal following.
Their sound is shaped by inspirations such as AC/DC, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Motörhead, Rush, and Scorpions.
History
Originally formed in 1978 under the name Hell Razor in Ottawa, Ontario, the band consisted of Dan Beehler on vocals and drums, John Ricci on guitar, and Allan James Johnson on bass. By 1980, they adopted the name Exciter and produced a demo that reached Mike Varney of Shrapnel Records. Varney featured their track "World War III" on the 1982 compilation US Metal Volume II. Soon after, Exciter secured a deal with Shrapnel Records and launched their debut album, Heavy Metal Maniac, in 1983.
In 1984, the band signed with Megaforce Records and released their sophomore effort, Violence & Force. Following headline performances alongside Anthrax, they embarked on a U.S. tour supporting Motörhead with Mercyful Fate. When Megaforce transferred their contract, Exciter moved to Music for Nations and recorded their third album, Long Live the Loud (1985), produced by Guy Bidmead of Motörhead. This record showcased a shift toward a more accessible heavy metal style. Touring Europe with Accept and supporting Motörhead on the US No Remorse Tour followed. In 1985, they headlined tours with Megadeth and Exodus. Later that year, they issued the three-track EP Feel the Knife. Shortly thereafter, guitarist John Ricci departed and was succeeded by Brian McPhee.
With McPhee onboard, Exciter embraced a more melodic approach on their fourth album, Unveiling the Wicked (1986). European tours with Motörhead and Manowar ensued. Dan Beehler relinquished vocal duties as Rob Malnati joined as lead vocalist for the self-titled 1988 release Exciter (also known as O.T.T.) under Canadian label Maze Music. After completing a Canadian tour, the band dissolved in early 1989.
The group reassembled in 1991 with Beehler returning to vocals and Ricci rejoining; bassist David Ledden completed the lineup. They contributed "Born to Kill" to the compilation Capitol Punishment and toured Canada concentrating on early material. Their inaugural live album, Better Live than Dead, was issued in 1993.
In 1992, Exciter signed with German label Noise Records and released their sixth studio album, Kill After Kill, followed by a European tour with Rage. The band then entered a period of inactivity until 1996 when Ricci returned as the only original member alongside new vocalist Jacques Bélanger and brothers Rik (drums) and Marc Charron (bass). They released The Dark Command in 1997 and toured Europe supporting Anvil and Flotsam and Jetsam.
Between 1998 and 2000, activity slowed to just two festival appearances. Their subsequent album, Blood of Tyrants (2000), presented a heavier musical direction. Bélanger exited in 2001 due to creative disagreements; Marc Charron left in 2002 to pursue a career in technology.
In early 2003, Ricci and Rik Charron returned with new members Rob Degroot on vocals and Paul Champagne on bass. Degroot soon left; Bélanger resumed vocal duties. In 2004, Champagne was replaced by Rob "Clammy" Cohen. That year saw the release of New Testament, featuring re-recorded classics. The band toured Europe alongside Swedish power metal outfit Steel Attack.
Exciter appeared at major European festivals in 2005 including Tradate Iron Fest (Italy), Bang Your Head (Germany), and Metalcamp (Slovenia). Jeff Waters from Annihilator acquired rights to reissue much of Exciter’s discography with remastered sound and updated booklets containing band insights.
After performing at Keep It True VI in Germany in 2006, Bélanger departed again due to internal differences. This resulted in cancellations of shows across Europe, the United States, and Canada. In October, Kenny "Metal Mouth" Winter from New York took over vocal responsibilities.
Despite rigorous travel demands—including weekly commutes between New York City and Ottawa—Exciter performed one headline concert in Toronto in August 2007. Their tenth studio album, Thrash Speed Burn, was released in early 2008 to favorable reviews across Europe. The supporting tour featured their debut appearance on the Iberian Peninsula at Spain’s Atarfe Vega Rock Festival.
In February 2014, guitarist John Ricci announced his departure from the band, leaving no founding members active; however, he later disputed this retirement claim while former members upheld its accuracy at that time.
Shortly afterwards, the original lineup reunited for performances at Keep It True Festival in April 2015 and Defenders of the Old Festival in New York that March. Although plans for a reunion album were mentioned for 2019, these became uncertain following Ricci’s exit. Daniel Dekay was introduced as his replacement in October 2018. The band remains engaged in developing new material.
Current
- Dan Beehler – drums, lead vocals
- Allan James Johnson – bass guitar, backing vocals
- Daniel Dekay – guitar
Former
- John Ricci – guitar, vocals, bass guitar
- Brian McPhee – guitar, vocals
- Rob Malnati – lead vocals
- David Ledden – bass guitar
- Jeff MacDonald – bass guitar, backing vocals
- Marc Charron – bass guitar
- Jacques Belanger – lead vocals
- Richard "Rik" Charron – drums
- Robert William DeGroot – lead vocals
- Paul Champagne – bass guitar
- Robert "Clammy" Cohen – bass guitar
- Kenny "Metal Mouth" Winter – lead vocals
Studio albums
- Heavy Metal Maniac (1983)
- Violence & Force (1984)
- Long Live the Loud (1985)
- Unveiling the Wicked (1986)
- Exciter / O.T.T. (1988)
- Kill After Kill (1992)
- The Dark Command (1997)
- Blood of Tyrants (2000)
- New Testament (2004)
- Thrash Speed Burn (2008)
- Death Machine (2010)
Live albums
- Better Live Than Dead (1993)
Compilation albums
- Capital Punishment (1991)
EPs
- Feel the Knife (1985)
Demo
- World War III (1982)