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.
Iron Dogs
Exciter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fear turns to hate as the kids rule whole town
Keeping ahead of the ones who deceive in the band
spreading this world of their trust for ones in the band
Iron dogs - cram in the seating
Iron dogs - scream for the band
Iron dogs - Rule in this meeting
Crash all the gates as they crash all the walls of the city
old people rum they get killed in the streets out of pity
killers at heart knowing right from the start
what they are after dressing in metal,
screams for the band with their laughter
Iron dogs - cram in the seating
Iron dogs - scream for the band
Iron dogs - Rule in this meeting
Iron dogs - Eat the city
Crash all the gates they're all walking through fire n' hell
mountains could shake with the thunder
they're ringing the bell
vicious as dogs like a pack of black wolves spilling blood
get outta their way they come from below and above
The lyrics to Exciter's song "Iron Dogs" describe a group of rebellious youths who are obsessed with heavy metal music and the lifestyle that comes with it. They are depicted as being violent and aggressive, causing chaos and destruction wherever they go. The "iron dogs" themselves are symbolic of their wild and untamed nature, as they are described as "cramming in the seating" and "ruling in this meeting." The lyrics also suggest that they are outcasts, rejected by society and left to fend for themselves. The line "old people run they get killed in the streets out of pity" is particularly chilling, as it implies that the iron dogs are so ruthless that they will even attack the most vulnerable members of society. Overall, the song is a dark and gritty portrayal of a subculture that is often misunderstood and vilified.
Line by Line Meaning
Lusting for rock in the streel spitting blood all around
They crave the rock music of the streets and show it with their frenzied energy.
Fear turns to hate as the kids rule whole town
Fear of the unknown transforms into deep loathing for the youth who now control the town.
Keeping ahead of the ones who deceive in the band
They stay one step ahead of those trying to deceive them in the band.
spreading this world of their trust for ones in the band
They spread their message of trust for those who are a part of their band.
Iron dogs - cram in the seating
The fans, like iron dogs, pack themselves tightly into the seats to see the band.
Iron dogs - scream for the band
The fans scream their adoration for the band like wild beasts.
Iron dogs - Rule in this meeting
The fans, with their intense passion, dominate this gathering.
Iron dogs - Eat the city
The fans consume the city in their ferocious celebration of the band.
Crash all the gates as they crash all the walls of the city
They break down all barriers and boundaries, leaving nothing in their way.
old people rum they get killed in the streets out of pity
Elderly people are targeted and killed mercilessly in the streets, out of pity for their weak and helpless state.
killers at heart knowing right from the start
They are assassins at heart, they knew what they wanted from the beginning.
what they are after dressing in metal, screams for the band with their laughter
Dressed in metal, they cry out for the band with laughter, knowing exactly what they are searching for.
Crash all the gates they're all walking through fire n' hell
They crash through every barrier with fearless determination, traversing through the fiercest landscapes.
mountains could shake with the thunder they're ringing the bell
Their impact is so profound that it could move mountains; they confidently ring the bell of their triumph.
vicious as dogs like a pack of black wolves spilling blood
They are fierce and vicious like dogs, like a pack of black wolves, leaving destruction in their wake.
get outta their way they come from below and above
They emerge from every direction, unstoppable and uncontainable.
Writer(s): Ricci, Dan Beehler Copyright: Varney Metal Music
Contributed by Penelope D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.