Exciter - 'Thrash Speed Burn'

Bay Area thrash and European thrash were well-known musical movements of the '80s. Not quite as known was the Canadian thrash movement. It included excellent bands like Annihilator, Razor, and of course, Exciter. It's been eight years since the band's last studio CD, and they've returned with a new CD Thrash Speed Burn and a new lead singer, Kenny Winter.

The lone remaining original member of Exciter is guitarist John Ricci, but their sound today is very similar to what they've always done. Thrash Speed Burn aptly describes the CD's sound. It's old school thrash/speed metal played fast and loose. The production is fairly muddy, and the CD sounds like it could have been recorded back in the '80s.

The musicianship is solid, with plenty of potent riffs and solos. There are also a few very catchy songs such as "Betrayal," which have memorable hooks and stick in your head. Unfortunately, there aren't enough of those songs. Too many of the tracks are generic, forgettable thrash metal.

Thrash Speed Burn has some good nostalgia moments, but Exciter needs better songs to be relevant now when there's such a resurgence of quality thrash metal bands.

(released November 4, 2008 on Blistering Records)