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Exciter are a Canadian thrash metal band from Ottawa. Despite many changes in personnel, they have managed to keep a small but dedicated following for nearly 20 years. In 1978 the band Hell Razor formed in Ottawa ON, Canada. The band consisted of John Ricci (guitars), Dan Beehler (drums) and Allan James Johnson (bass). In 1980 they changed their name to Exciter and recorded a demo which they then sent to Mike Varney of Shrapnel Records. Varney included one song from it, "World War III", on the compilation album US Metal Volume II in 1982. Shortly after that Exciter were signed to Shrapnel Records. In 1983 they released their debut album, Heavy Metal Maniac.
Later that year Exciter signed a record-deal with Jon Zazula's Megaforce Records and 1984 they released their second album, Violence & Force. After a few opening dates with Anthrax they embarked on their first U.S. tour with Mercyful Fate. Exciter switched to a new label, Music For Nations and traveled to London to record their third album (produced by Motörhead producer Guy Bidmead). The album would be titled Long Live the Loud. It was a slightly more 'mainstream' heavy metal sound than the speed/thrash metal of the first two albums. After its release the band went on a European tour with Accept and later a U.S. tour with Motörhead and Megadeth. Before the year ended they released the 3-track EP Feel the Knife, which was the last release from the original line-up. Shortly after its release, John Ricci quit the band and was replaced by Brian McPhee.
Current members: Kenny "Metal Mouth" Winter - Vocals John Ricci - Guitars Rob "Clammy" Cohen - Bass Rick Charron - Drums
Former members: Dan Beehler - Drums, Vocals Rob Malnati - Vocals Brian McPhee - Guitars Allan James Johnson - Bass David Ledden - Bass Jeff McDonald - Bass Marc Charron - Bass Jacques Belanger - Vocals