Formed in Ottowa in 1978, Exciter are recognised as one of the original speed metal bands, a precursor to the thrash movement which emerged in the early 1980s. Early classics like ‘Heavy Metal Maniac’ and ‘Violence And Force’ cemented the band’s reputation, bolstered by tours with Anthrax, Mercyful Fate and Accept. Splitting at the end of the 80s, they reformed to record the raging ‘Kill After Kill’ in 1992, before going on hiatus.
Loudwire name-checked Exciter in its ‘Top 10 Speed Metal Songs Released Before Thrash’ stating ‘Heavy Metal Maniac’ preceded Metallica’s thrash-defining-line-in-the- sand ‘Kill ‘Em All’ by a matter of weeks in 1983.’
Still active today and touring extensively, they are expected to release their first new album in over a decade imminently.
