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 Shrapel 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 travelled to London to record their third album (produced by Motörhead producer Guy Bidhead). 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 an 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.
Along with a new guitarist came a new, more melodic sound. The next album, Unveiling the Wicked, was released in 1986 on the Music For Nations label. After its release the band went out on a very successful European tour with Motörhead and Manowar. It was decided at this time that Dan Beehler (who had handled both drums and vocals since the band's inception) would not sing anymore. A new vocalist was found in Rob Malnati who made his debut on the 1988 album Exciter(O.T.T.). The album was released on the Canadian record label Maze Music. With Exciter(O.T.T.) the band pushed the melodic sound even further. A Canadian tour followed but after that the band went on hiatus.
In 1991 the band re-emerged with Dan Beehler on drums and also lead vocals again. Original guitarist John Ricci also returned to the fold. Bass duties were handled by David Ledden. Their first recording was the song "Born to Kill" which appeared on a compilation album titled "Capitol Punishment" released in 1991.
In 1992 the band signed with German metal label Noise Records and recorded their sixth album entitled Kill after Kill. The band went on a three week European tour with Rage. In 1993 they released their first live album, Better Live than Dead, which had been recorded during their 1991 Canadian tour. The album consisted of songs taken from the first three albums. After this release the band disappeared for a second time. It would be three years before they would be heard from again.
In March of 1996 an almost completely new line-up was announced. Guitarist, John Ricci, was the only returning original member. Jacques Bélanger was the new vocalist and Rick Charron and Marc Charron (no relation) would handle drum and bass duties. The new line-up played a few well received shows in Canada before recording a new album entitled The Dark Command. This album was released in 1997. With one of their strongest albums in years, the band went out on a European tour with Anvil and Flotsam and Jetsam.
Between 1998 and 2000 the band was basically dormant with only two festival appearances in the 2 year span. The summer of 2000 saw the release of the follow-up to The Dark Command entitled Blood Of Tyrants. The new album was heavier and more aggressive than its predecessor. In the fall of 2001 Jacques left the band due to "creative differences". A year later Marc quit to pursue a career in the technology industry.
At the beginning of 2003 a new line-up was announced, with John and Rick returning along with vocalist Rob Degroot and bassist Paul Champagne. This line-up only lasted until March of 2003 when Rob Degroot was let go. His replacement was former vocalist Jacques Bélanger. In 2004 Paul Champagne was released from the band. The band recorded New Testament with John on both guitar and bass. New Testament would be a "best of" album of re-recorded classics from throughout the band's entire career. Later that year, bassist Rob "Clammy" Cohen would join the ranks. The year 2004 would end with the band heading out on a European tour with Steel Attack.
Jacques Belanger left again in 2006.
I Am The Beast
Exciter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've got you in my claws
Grip of death
You're trapped in my neck breaking jaws
Tied up in chains
The coldness of steel
Lightning quick
Kill for the feast
Nothing gets away from me
Kill for the feast
I'm the one I am the beast
You're breaking your neck
To turn to see
You love to stare
Then look straight at me
My eyes burn holes
In your spineless frame
I am the beast
No one will ever tame
Kill for the feast
Nothing gets away from me
Kill for the feast
I'm the one I am the beast
Biting, bleeding, screaming
But no one will hear your cries
Grinding, blinding, finding my claws
Stuck in your eyes
At night time
I strike while you sleep
I am the beast
Don't try to run
I've got you in my claws
Grip of death
You're trapped in my neck breaking jaws
Tied up in chains
The coldness of steel
Lightning quick
You're shocked frozen with fear
Kill for the feast
Nothing gets away from me
Kill for the feast
I'm the one I am the beast
I am the beast, I am the beast
I am the beast, I am the beast
I am the beast, I am the beast
I am the beast, beast, beast, beast, beast
The song "I Am The Beast" by Exciter is a violent and aggressive metal anthem that tells a story of a ferocious creature who is unstoppable in his hunt for prey. The lyrics are a reflection of the inner beast within all of us, a primal instinct that drives us to hunt, kill, and survive. The first verse describes the creature's grip, which is so powerful that the prey cannot break free, and the jaws are so strong that the prey's neck is broken. The second verse gives more detail about the prey being trapped in chains of cold steel, and the fear that sets in when confronted by the beast. The lyrics express that this is a creature that is not to be trifled with, and will stop at nothing to get what it wants.
The pre-chorus and chorus repeat the idea that the beast is driven by its desire to kill and feed, and that nothing can escape its clutches. The bridge delves deeper into the savagery of the beast, describing how it bites, bleeds, and screams, yet no one can hear the prey's cries. The final verse adds a layer of surprise, as it seems the beast strikes at night when the prey is sleeping, making it even more menacing.
Overall, "I Am The Beast" is a heavy, aggressive, and primal song that captures the raw emotions and instincts of a predator. It's a song that can be enjoyed for its sheer force and power, and also as a metaphor for our own inner struggles and desires.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't try to run
I have complete control over you and any attempt to escape is futile.
I've got you in my claws
You are completely within my grasp and cannot escape my hold.
Grip of death
My grip on you is so powerful that it represents the hand of death itself.
You're trapped in my neck breaking jaws
I have the power to crush your neck and break your bones with nothing but the strength of my jaws.
Tied up in chains
I have bound you in chains, rendering you completely helpless and at my mercy.
The coldness of steel
The metal bindings are cold and unyielding, a reminder of your complete lack of control over the situation.
Lightning quick
My movements are so fast that you cannot hope to keep up or evade them.
You're shocked frozen with fear
My power and terror have left you completely paralyzed with fear, unable to escape or fight back.
Kill for the feast
I am a fierce predator, and I will do whatever it takes to secure my meal.
Nothing gets away from me
I am the ultimate hunter, there is nothing that can escape my grasp.
I'm the one I am the beast
I am the only one who can truly claim to be the beast, the ultimate predator and ruler of all.
You're breaking your neck
You are so desperate to escape my grasp that you are injuring yourself in the process.
To turn to see
You are so terrified that you cannot even turn your head to face me.
My eyes burn holes
The intensity and power of my gaze is enough to leave lasting damage on your body and soul.
In your spineless frame
You are so weak and helpless that you cannot even stand up to my power.
No one will ever tame
I am so wild and ferocious that no amount of effort could ever hope to tame or control me.
Biting, bleeding, screaming
My attacks are so brutal and fierce that they leave you bleeding and screaming in agony.
But no one will hear your cries
Even if you scream out for help, nobody will be able to save you from my wrath.
Grinding, blinding, finding my claws
With each attack, I am discovering more and more ways to hurt and disable you using nothing but my powerful claws.
Stuck in your eyes
My claws are so powerful and precise that they can easily get lodged in your eyes, blinding you forever.
At night time
Under the cover of darkness, I am at my most powerful and dangerous.
I strike while you sleep
When you are at your most vulnerable, I am not afraid to strike and claim my prey.
I am the beast
No other creature can match my power, ferocity, and sheer determination to survive.
I am the beast, I am the beast
I am so powerful and fearsome that it bears repeating - I am the ultimate beast.
I am the beast, beast, beast, beast, beast
My power and strength are so great that they cannot be contained by a single repetition of my title.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAN BEEHLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind