Exciter- Blood Of Tyrants

Yeah, it's not exactly a hot title, and no one probably cares, but I recently took the time to sit down with the recent Exciter records, and wow, it's bad.


Exciter-Blood Of Tyrants

1. Metal Crusaders
2. Rule With An Iron Fist
3. Intruders
4. Predator
5. Martial Law
6. War Cry
7. Brutal Warning
8. Weapons of Mass Destruction
9. Blood Of Tyrants
10. Violator

Well, if they're one thing, it's consistent. Exciter's sophomore ressurection effort after their non so gracious decent into the flames of the early 90's scene really isn't all that different then what came before it. It goes to show staying exactly the same isn't even close to the right idea a band should have. What happens when the water stops flowing? Stagnant smurfing pond water. Sure they're might be a bass or two in there, but that water boasts a green skin. Exciter's recent work gives new meaning to beating the proverbial dead horse, churning out mainly uninspired songs complete witn the same lyrics running rampant on Heavy Metal Maniac over a decade before (really, still with the Metal Crusaders). Classic though those days were, you don't need to make the same album repeatedly. The "metal's chosen warriors" schtick doesn't work so well when you're in your 40's. Over half of it spends it's time wanking in nostalgia heaven with seemingly no other goal besides "living in the 80's". Which, would be at least ok if it were going somewhere, but it loses much more often then it grabs hold. The raw production element is fitting given what they were going for, but that hinders ALOT more then it helps. Not only is it mixed low due to that, but the vocals are louder, so it hides the music even more. Oh, that cover's about as lame as you can get, not only does it look stupid, but it has 0 to do with the album title. A king in guillotine or something similar would be much better.

Good aspects you say? Well, even though they took a direct step back to sound like a variation of their own Heavy Metal Maniac and Violence & Force records, it's actually pretty solid compared to the bands previous two efforts. The songwriting has been kicked into high gear here, and not only does it have catchy moments, but it flows decently in between a few of the songs (when it's not lost). The lyrics are on the whole pretty fun, even if the song is treading off into brainless rehashing (see Martial Law). "Metal Crusaders" rips the album off to nice start out of the gate, with a shredding and catchy riff, with Belanger nailing his trademark shrieks right off the bat. The only hinderance to it is the production, it really gives the track a restricted feeling. Which segues nicely into "Rule With An Iron Fist", which is a total Exciter classic. "Intruders" comes to the table with a decent enough solo, but is nothing more than a standard thrash outing and gets lost quickly. The next two songs ebb so badly, they might as well be two variations on the same track, save for different lyrics. "War Cry" steps up to the plate and holds its own quite well. Being an istrumental a conscious effort actually seems to have been made here to make the song flow and at least be multi faceted enough to change speeds. Plus, you don't have to listen to the demon avatar of Andy Gibb Belanger for a few minutes. "Brutal Warning" continues on well and is a driving steam hammer of a song! As soon as it ends, "Weapons Of Mass Destruction" comes back in and blows it back the the seventh level of Hell. Ahh, sweet reeitition (Wow, it's not different from Violence & Force at all actually). As is customary, the next song bathes in the waters of carbon copy so well, you'll find yourself wondering what color panties Cindy Crawford might've been wearing. "Violator" is pretty much the same, but a few time changes and a build up from it intro make it pounding enough to gain interest.

Overall? A D grade record. There's not much casual fans will find here, and nothing for anyone expecting a new take on Exciter. I would only reccomend it to those who have a hard on for Nostalgia, or as to what the best newer Exciter record to listen to would be.

Ripping Tracks: Metal Crusaders, Rule With An Iron Fist, War Cry, Brutal Warning
Decent: Violator

Originally written for detuned's domain

Boo! I think its a great record!

FFFFFANBOY!

It's ok, John Ricci still plays some great guitar, but it never really takes off. It's just irritating they never actually get off the ground, because it has potential. But, it beats Thrash, Speed, Burn into the ground!

I like it.

I haven't heard this album yet, but shouldn't this be in the Heart of Metal discussion?

Haven't heard it.

Required Fields wrote:

I haven't heard this album yet, but shouldn't this be in the Heart of Metal discussion?

Yeah. This is metal, not non-metal.

It's a review, hence it's in the review section.

kmorg wrote:

It's a review, hence it's in the review section.

Pay attention class before the principal begins to hand out detention notices.

Regarding the review, the color of the font gave me grief trying to read it. So I didn't get vey far into the content. I never knew Exciter released this. Guess that counts as something good.

Quote :

Pay attention class before the principal begins to hand out detention notices.

James B. wrote:

kmorg wrote:

It's a review, hence it's in the review section.

Pay attention class before the principal begins to hand out detention notices.

Regarding the review, the color of the font gave me grief trying to read it. So I didn't get vey far into the content. I never knew Exciter released this. Guess that counts as something good.

It was blue.

The blue is what he was commenting on. I changed it to yellow.

SpectreFate wrote:

The blue is what he was commenting on. I changed it to yellow.

thanks for that
good review to...sometimes nostalgia works ? sometimes not.

I'm thinking about getting this.


Not sure yet though. I'm only a casual fan of the band.

Metallic Blaze wrote:

I'm thinking about getting this.


Not sure yet though. I'm only a casual fan of the band.

Well then you should know the answer princess.

I think this album kicks ass!!!

GIVE ME BLOOD.... Of Tyrants!!