John Ricci and company break an eight year silence with the release of Thrash, Speed, Burn. Anyone who’s heard Exciter knows what to expect (as if the title of the album didn’t give it away) and the boys do not disappoint here. Decidedly old school, full of venom, energy and ready to teach the world how to bang its head, Exciter proves that they’ve not lost a step.

This is down and dirty, sweaty, screaming Heavy Metal. Coming from the band that released Heavy Metal Maniac, could you really expect anything less? Not a single modern nuance or a power ballad in sight, this record is out to leave a scar. The riffing saws at the eardrums, the vocals (provided by new vocalist Kenny Winter) are literally screaming and the solos will melt the skin from your face! The gang chant vocals on the chorus of opening track “Massacre Mountain” will beat your skull in while the tempo of the title track causes instant whiplash providing the perfect opening one-two punch. The six-plus minute “Crucifixion” is a plodding, fist-pumping monster. Both “Evil Omen” and “Betrayal” get a little tedious halfway through, but “The Punisher” comes right after and picks things back up.

As you can probably guess, there’s nothing new to discover here. But that’s not the point, now is it? What we have here are ten truly hefty doses of Heavy Metal in its purest form showcasing Exciter as the underground legend that it is. Well worth taking up space in the collection.

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