Heavy Metal Maniac

• Artist: Exciter
• Rating:
• Release Date: 1983
• Genre: Rock

Review

After contributing the song "World War III" to Shrapnel Records' U.S. Metal, Vol. 2 compilation, Exciter promptly signed with Shrapnel and recorded their full-length debut, Heavy Metal Maniac, in 1983. Though their debt to Judas Priest was clear for all to see (starting with their name, of course), the album packed a hard-edged ferocity and love for speed that pushed it well beyond the bounds of "classic" heavy metal and into the realms of the then-nascent speed metal movement. Its rough production values and nearly out-of-control distortion added a crucial punk attitude and provided the "push over the cliff," as it were, that characterized most of thrash's original stars (Metallica, Exodus, Slayer). That being said, time has proven that Heavy Metal Maniac is a much more one-dimensional affair than, say, Kill 'Em All, but this wasn't nearly as obvious in the heady days of thrash metal's infancy, and songs like "Cry of the Banshee," "Stand Up and Fight," and the excellent title track are all mini-classics in their own right. [The 2005 CD reissue of Heavy Metal Maniac on Megaforce Records includes five bonus tracks, including a pair of radio interviews with bandmembers.] ~ Eduardo Rivadavia, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
The Holocaust	Allan Johnson, Dan Beehler, John Ricci	Exciter	(1:39)
Stand Up and Fight	Allan Johnson, Dan Beehler, John Ricci	Exciter	(2:47)
Heavy Metal Maniac	Allan Johnson, Dan Beehler, John Ricci	Exciter	(3:47)
Iron Dogs	Allan Johnson, Dan Beehler, John Ricci	Exciter	(5:58)
Mistress of Evil	Allan Johnson, Dan Beehler, John Ricci	Exciter	(5:13)
Under Attack	Allan Johnson, Dan Beehler, John Ricci	Exciter	(4:17)
Rising of the Dead	Allan Johnson, Dan Beehler, John Ricci	Exciter	(3:32)
Black Witch	Allan Johnson, Dan Beehler, John Ricci	Exciter	(6:59)
Cry of the Banshee	Allan Johnson, Dan Beehler, John Ricci	Exciter	(3:47)
World War III [*]	Allan Johnson, Dan Beehler, John Ricci	Exciter	(3:41)
Evil Sinner [*]	Allan Johnson, Dan Beehler, John Ricci	Exciter	(4:58)
Interview #1A [*]		Dan Beehler, John Ricci	(1:36)
Interview #1B [*]		Dan Beehler, John Ricci	(7:09)
Interview #2 [*]		John Ricci	(1:41)

Credits

Exciter (Main Performer), Carl Canedy (Producer), Allan Johnson (Bass), Allan Johnson (Liner Notes), Jeff Waters (Remastering), Dan Beehler (Drums), Dan Beehler (Vocals), Dan Beehler (Liner Notes), John Ricci (Guitar)