Reviews:

A real speed metal classic, enriched with the best elements of power and thrash metal. Exciter at their best.  The outstanding / absolutely brilliant “I Am the Beast”. Based on a simple yet highly efficient riff that is the definition of “neckbreaking”; the song starts with high speed, ends with high speed and offers absolutely nothing else intermediately. The following “Victims of Sacrifice” contrasts with mid-tempo, powerful harmonies, original riffing and a gloomy atmosphere. Nevertheless, it is the second killer,  due to the fact that Dan Beehler’s sonorous voice has never sounded better. “Beyond the Gates of Doom” completes the triarchy, fast, furious and equipped with lyrics that fit perfectly (“beyond these gates you´ll obey or you burn, either way you never return”. You must pay attention to the elongated scream of Beehler at the end of the track. It provides a unique listening experience.

B-Side. “Sudden Impact”, is a compact speed song with apocalyptic lyrics, reaches the same quality level as its three predecessors. The fourth masterpiece on this album. “Born to Die” is catchy, more fluid and surprises with a speed part at the end.

The entire album offeres some unexpected moments and a relatively high degree of diversity.

They had a contemporary sound that gave space for all musicians to prove their skills.  Exciter offer a strong teamwork while performing like a well oiled engine. It seems that they really loved what they did back in 1985 – and my enthusiasm for their approach during the first years is still unbroken. Beehler, Ricci and Johnson formed a magical three-piece and complemented each other perfectly. The cover artwork visualized the power of the album in a suitable manner.

The fact that Long Live the Loud was released on Exciter’s third label in as many years is a testament to the volatility of the industry during those important years of metal growth in the early through mid 80s. Granted, the Canadians seemed to be working their way ever upward, but never quite scoring that hit full-length that would pave the way for the ultimate opportunities that bands like Slayer, Metallica and Megadeth were snatching up alongside the more popular acts of the British invasion around the turn of the decade.

To my ears, though, Long Live the Loud has proven the most definitive of Exciter experiences, a puerile but focused rush of intensity that delivers the pure speed Thrash metal rush I so loved about bands of this period like Savage Grace, Razor and so forth, with comparable high pitched vocals and testosterone to spare. Musically speaking, this is the most fun I’ve ever had with one of their albums, and the first I’d recommend to anyone seeking them out for the first time, inching just past the sophomore.

Still a three-piece, with John Ricci, Alan Johnson and Dan Beehler returning, the most important change between this and Violence & Force is probably the vocal quality. Where Beehler had a previous tendency to shift between mid-ranged yelling and higher-pitched shrieks, the latter seem to have become the norm here, and he’s become capable of sustaining that range for a longer period of time. Long Live the Loud is well structured and just beats the shit out of you once the dust from the guitar driven intro “Fall Out” subsides. “Long Live the Loud” and “I Am the Beast” rip out some classic speed circa Venom and Motörhead but with the added perks of the shrill, banshee-like wailing of Beehler and the strong support of the gang shouted backing vocals. The guitar tone is loud and grating, the impulsive velocity incessant, and the leads here burn with a spirit that surpasses the previous albums. In particular I love how they open “I Am the Beast” with just the guitar raging off and then the rhythm section bursting in while Dan goes absolutely insane. After that, “Victims of Sacrifice” and “Beyond the Gates of Doom” maintain the solid momentum of familiar but forceful riffing, stopping only for the eerie organ intro to the latter and some punishing drum breaks. Beehler is a monster on his kit. The mix of the beats has a phenomenal balance of voluminous crashing and sheer bravado. He never really lets up.

The entire album is quite consistent in quality, and even the band’s first attempt at a ‘proper’ epic (they had songs around 7 minutes before), “Wake Up Screaming” fills outs its 10 minutes of bulk with a mix of iron-wrought chords, bass grooves and bluesy, airy leads that howl off into the steaming city pavement of an urban summer night.

Some might lean towards Heavy Metal Maniac for setting Exciter’s stylistic standard, but this album just reeks of confidence and ass kicking. Long Live the Loud is another admirable contender for the short list of top speed/heavy metal exertions of 1985. This deserves a spot in the collection of any discriminating denim diehard.

The energy here is phenomenal, electricity coursing out of the speakers at breaking point, with the bass-heavy Guy Bidmead production giving the band a few extra balls they lacked before.

The entire first side sweeps up everything in its path (once dramatic opener “Fall Out” sets an apocalyptic tone). Tons of riffs, none of them overly complex, with John Ricci’s scarred and frazzled guitar tone synching up with Allan Johnson’s murderous bass momentum.  Dan Beehler plays the fuck out of the drums on this album, shredding his vocal cords in a most convincing manner every single song. He is especially bloodthirsty in both departments on “Beyond The Gates Of Doom” and “Sudden Impact”, begging a Motorhead comparison (Philthy Phil this time) in his raw, loose pacing and machine-gunning snare fills.

Side two offers a little more variety: “Sudden Impact” is their finest speed-metal workout, period; “Born To Die” settles things down to a mid-pace, highlighted by minimal riffing, compelling lyrics and an atmosphere of power and dread unlike anything they did before or since (my all-time favorite Exciter track actually); closer “Wake Up Screaming” is the album’s epic; it shows the band stretching out confidently into a new area. It brings the Armageddon-paranoia of “Born To Die” along with it, but also tells of a more personal hell.

Arguably Exciter were never quite a top-tier band, but their importance and influence is undeniable. ‘Long Live the Loud’ represents the most powerful Exciter kick ass LP, and stands up as one of 1985’s many remarkable metal moments. Still sounds awesome to this day.