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Exciter often flies under the radar in the realm of metal. While not achieving mainstream popularity, they consistently delivered high-quality music throughout their career. In 1983, they unleashed a classic speed metal album, "Heavy Metal Maniac," which likely played a significant role in the development of thrash metal. Just a year later, Exciter brought forth "Violence and Force."
This album, for the most part, adheres to the same formula as its predecessor. It commences with a guitar solo introduction, followed by the mandatory speed metal anthem, "Violence & Force," and proceeds with a slower, mid-paced track, "Pounding Metal," before offering several more speed metal songs. The main issue with the album lies in its resemblance to their prior release; it's almost like a watered-down replica. Nonetheless, this doesn't mean the album is anywhere near subpar. On the contrary, it stands as a prime example of quality speed metal.
The songs can be divided into two categories: the first being speed metal monsters, and the second consisting of slower, mid-paced traditional heavy metal tunes. The faster songs, naturally, are superior, given the band's speed metal orientation.
In the first group, we find tracks like the title song, "Scream in the Night," "Destructor," "Saxons of the Fire," and "Swords of Darkness." Most of these songs share a similar catchy speed metal essence, with the title track and "Saxons of the Fire" shining the brightest. The title track, in particular, stands out as the album's highlight, delivering a blend of fun, catchiness, and sheer ferocity, with a particularly cool chorus.
In the second group, we encounter traditional heavy metal songs in the form of "Pounding Metal," "Delivering to the Master," and "War is Hell." "Pounding Metal" falls somewhat short, with a repetitive and uninteresting chorus. "Delivering to the Master," reminiscent of "Black Witch" on their previous album, introduces a more epic atmosphere and proves to be a decent track, though Exciter's longer compositions may not be everyone's cup of tea. "War is Hell" is the standout in this category, featuring a catchy riff that carries the song forward. It exudes a classic '80s metal vibe with a more aggressive vocal delivery. This track is arguably the best non-speed metal offering from Exciter.
In summary, "Violence and Force" is a solid speed metal album, characterized by its fun, catchy, and unapologetically bold nature. While it doesn't deviate much from their previous release, it remains a strong addition to any speed metal enthusiast's collection. If you have an affinity for speed metal, this album is worth your attention. However, if you're new to Exciter, consider starting with "Heavy Metal Maniac."
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