Search - Exciter :: Better Live Than Dead

Savage power thrash Delivered by the Masters..

06/29/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Back in the early 80's when the first wave of Thrash metal reared it's ugly head, there were essentially 3 big bands...Metallica, their East Coast cousins Anthrax...and Ottawa Heavy Metal Maniacs EXCITER. Captained by drummer/vocalist Dan Beehler, EXCITER may not have had the dynamics and European sensibilities of their American neighbors, but delivered a bruising, pummelling attack no less powerful and intense. Beehler really is one of the most powerful drummers I have ever heard, listen to the hurricanes he kicks up and try to imagine how he was able to add his insane vocals at the same time...this guy is metal to the core and talented as hell.Their first LP "Heavy Metal Maniac" was a street level knife in the back with a kick in the head for good measure. Heavy as hell, packed with power chords from John Ricci and Beehler's thunderous gallop. An instant power metal classic.The second LP "Violence and Force" on what was then Metallica's label, Megaforce, was even more brutal, with better production, better songwriting and performances. Support for this record had EXCITER tour the States with an unbelievable bill supporting Mercyful Fate and Motorhead...to this day the best HM show I have ever seen. I my opinion, the first two EXCITER records rank up there with Metallica, Exodus, Anthrax and Slayer's genre defining first albums. Unfortunately now both out of print, making this live slice even more essential.Unfortunately, thrash and power metal's popularity slumped after the mid eighties, although lots of bands (Anvil, Exodus, Nasty Savage)picked up the torch held by the original Big 3...and followed by Megadeth, Slayer and the like. EXCITER continues to this day, minus Beehler, and although I must say I haven't heard anything from them, I can't imagine that anyone else could touch the original line up in terms of pure power.This live album contains everything you need to hear from EXCITER..all the best tunes from the first two brutal records,and a few from their not as good 3rd, and a real loud mix. Original bassist Allan Johnson isn't on this, but his replacement does a great job of filling in the few spaces left by the guitar and DRUMS...Unfortunately, the crowd has been dubbed in from other gigs, and sounds out of place here...but when Beehler's drums are pounding metal none of that matters.Ricci is no Malmsteen, hell, he's no Hammet either, but his chords are loud, fast and heavier than hell, even if the solos sound like an attack by horde of metallic bees.Power/Thrash fans, this is well worth your money. Discover the old school and Up the Hammers!Long live the Loud!"

Intense power metal at it's best

J.SCOTT EASTWOOD | 03/17/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"exciter was always one my favorite bands. this album is great collection of some of the best songs from exciter. it's sad they were overlooked by a lot hard core metal fans. i was lucky enough to have seen a few times back in "the day". the reformed exciter is a joke. without beehler there is no exciter."