Exciter - Heavy Metal Maniac 12" Vinyl LP Album

The Relentless Speed Metal Onslaught That Ignited a Genre

"Heavy Metal Maniac" is the electrifying debut album by Canadian Speed/Thrash Metal pioneers, Exciter. Originally known as "Hell Razor", this 12" vinyl LP encapsulates the raw power and intensity of the band's early sound. Released with relentless speed and aggression, this iconic album showcases Exciter's signature blend of fast-paced riffs, thunderous drums, and electrifying vocals, solidifying their place in the world of Heavy Metal history.This album "EXCITER - Heavy Metal Maniac" is the first/debut album by the Canadian Thrash Metal band Exciter ( previously called "Hell Razor" )

Exciter's "Heavy Maniac": A Savage Howl from the Canadian Wilderness
Album Description:

In the bleak, frostbitten wastelands of Ottawa, Canada, 1983, a sonic blitzkrieg erupted from the depths, an unholy trinity of denim and leather known as Exciter. Their debut album, "Heavy Metal Maniac," was a visceral, adrenaline-fueled assault, a relentless torrent of speed and aggression that left an enduring scar on the burgeoning heavy metal landscape.

The historical context was ripe for Exciter's brand of sonic mayhem. The New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) had already laid the groundwork, with bands like Motörhead and Venom pushing the boundaries of heaviness and speed. But Exciter took it further, injecting a raw, unhinged energy into their sound that was distinctly North American. This unique blend of NWOBHM and thrash metal influences solidified their place as pioneers of the burgeoning speed metal subgenre.

"Heavy Metal Maniac" was an unrelenting maelstrom of riffs, a relentless onslaught of double bass drumming, and a banshee wail that could shatter glass. Dan Beehler's distinctive high-pitched vocals, a love-it-or-hate-it element, became a signature of the band's sound. The album's production was raw and unpolished, a stark contrast to the glossy sheen of many of their contemporaries. But this rawness was part of its charm, capturing the raw energy and aggression of the band's live performances.

The album's title track, "Heavy Metal Maniac," is a quintessential example of Exciter's sound, a breakneck speed metal anthem with a sing-along chorus that has become a staple of their live shows. Other tracks like "Stand Up and Fight" and "Iron Dogs" are equally relentless, showcasing the band's knack for crafting catchy, adrenaline-fueled anthems.

The album's lyrics are simple and straightforward, dealing with themes of rebellion, violence, and the metal lifestyle. They may not be the most profound or poetic lyrics, but they perfectly complement the raw, aggressive nature of the music. The occult and horror imagery on the album cover, a recurring theme in heavy metal, furthered the band's appeal to fans of extreme music.

Despite its raw energy and aggression, "Heavy Metal Maniac" is not without its critics. Some have dismissed it as a mere Motörhead clone, while others have criticized its simplistic lyrics and unpolished production. But for those who crave pure, unadulterated heavy metal, "Heavy Metal Maniac" is a timeless classic.

The album was recorded at Manta Sound in Toronto, a studio known for its work with Canadian hard rock and heavy metal bands. The production team consisted of Doug Hill and Brian Taylor, both experienced engineers who had worked with a variety of Canadian bands.

"Heavy Metal Maniac" was not a commercial success upon its initial release, but it quickly gained a cult following among fans of extreme metal. The album's influence can be heard in the work of countless bands, from Slayer and Metallica to Municipal Waste and Toxic Holocaust. It remains a landmark release in the history of speed and thrash metal, cementing Exciter's legacy as one of the genre's pioneers. In a world of overproduced, sanitized metal, Exciter's "Heavy Metal Maniac" is a refreshing blast of raw, unfiltered aggression. It is a testament to the power of pure, unadulterated heavy metal, and a reminder that sometimes, the most brutal and uncompromising music can be the most cathartic and life-affirming.

Collectors information / Album Description: 

This album "EXCITER - Heavy Metal Maniac" is the first/debut album by Exciter 

Music Genre:

Speed/Thrash Metal (Canada) 
Album Production Information:

The album: "EXCITER - Heavy Metal Maniac" was produced by: John Belrose, Valmey Metal Music Corp

Mastered by Paul Stubblebine at "The Automatt"

The Automatt was a sound recording studio in San Francisco, California, promoted for its early mix automation system. During its eight active years, 1976 to 1984, it was one of the top recording studios in the region. The Automatt was founded by producer David Rubinson and opened in an existing studio subleased from Columbia Records, who continued to record in the same building for a few years; thus it was sometimes referred to as CBS/Automatt. Rubinson leased the whole building in 1978 and from that point, operated three rooms for recording and mixing, a mastering room, a rehearsal room, and offices. The studio complex was known for its top-notch equipment, for the hit records it produced, and for the famous artists who recorded there. Under Rubinson and chief engineer Fred Catero it served as the training ground for respected recording engineers such as Leslie Ann Jones and producers such as Scott Mathews.

Album Cover Concept: Andy B. Dead Parrot Productions

Photography William P. McElligott

Arm by - East Side Slasher

It is believed that the “East Side Slasher” on the front cover of Exciter’s Heavy Metal Maniac (1983) is actually John Ricci, the band’s guitarist. He is thought to have posed for the cover wearing leather and wielding a knife, embodying the aggressive and raw energy of the album.

Record Label & Catalognr:

RoadrunneR RR 9710 / Shrapnel 

Media Format:

12" Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record
Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 230 gram  

Year & Country:

1986 Made in Holland  
Band Members and Musicians on: EXCITER - Heavy Metal Maniac
    Band-members, Musicians and Performers
  • Dan Beehler - vocals, drums
  • John Ricci - guitar
  • Allan Johnson - bass

Notes on the musicians:

Dan Beehler - drummer in Hellrazor (Canada) from 1978 until 1980. In 1980 the Hellrazor band was renamed into "Exciter". Around 1993 Dan started his own band: "Beehler".

Allen James Johnson (Bass) started in 1977 in a band called "Jett Black" and joined Beehler in the Hellrazor, Exciter and Beehler bands.

John Ricci - this is John Ricci from Canada, not to be confused with the American John Ricci. He has been playing guitar in Hellrazor from 1978-1980 and Exciter from 1980-Present, with a break from 1985-1990 while playing in the "Blackstar" band.

Complete Track Listing of: "EXCITER - Heavy Metal Maniac"

The Songs/tracks on "EXCITER - Heavy Metal Maniac" are

  1. The Holocaust - 1:39
  2. Stand Up And Fight - 2:47
  3. Heavy Metal Maniac - 3:47
  4. Iron Dogs - 5:58
  5. Mistress Of Evil - 5:13
  6. Under Attack - 4:17
  7. Rising Of The Dead - 3:32
  8. Black Witch - 6:59
  9. Cry Of The Banshee - 3:47
Exciter's Heavy Metal Maniac album cover features a black and white close-up of a heavily adorned arm gripping a bloodied knife, slashing into a Marshall amplifier. The album title appears in jagged red letters, reinforcing the raw, aggressive energy of early speed metal.

Exciter - Heavy Metal Maniac album cover is a striking piece of raw, high-octane speed metal imagery. The black and white photograph captures a close-up of a heavily adorned arm, decked out in spiked leather wristbands, metal studs, and tattoos. The forearm sports two distinct tattoos: one featuring a dagger piercing a heart and another resembling an anchor or blade.

Gripped tightly in the hand is a gleaming knife, its tip smeared with a thick splash of red blood, which drips ominously against the dark background. The knife is being plunged into the surface of a Marshall amplifier, its white logo still visible amidst the chaos. The album title, Heavy Metal Maniac, is scrawled in jagged, blood-red letters that look as if they’ve been violently scratched onto the cover. The entire image screams aggression, rebellion, and the unfiltered essence of early 80s speed metal.

Back Cover  Photo of "EXCITER - Heavy Metal Maniac" Album
The back cover of Exciter’s Heavy Metal Maniac album features a black background with white text listing the track titles for Side Heavy and Side Metal. Below, three individual band member photos appear, each surrounded by a hazy red or blue glow. A quote in eerie white lettering looms at the top, enhancing the album’s dark, rebellious theme.

The back cover of Exciter’s Heavy Metal Maniac continues the raw, intense aesthetic of the album. Against a stark black background, the tracklist is divided into two sections: Side Heavy and Side Metal, each containing a set of speed metal anthems. The song titles and songwriting credits are displayed in bold white text, adding to the high-contrast, rebellious feel.

At the top, a chilling quote in white serif lettering reads: "...when twilight burns across the sky you'd better run and hide, the beast will roar from deep inside..."—a fitting prelude to the sonic assault within. Below, three individual color-tinted photos of the band members are presented, each enveloped in a glowing red or blue haze. On the left, guitarist John Ricci is captured mid-performance, fingers attacking his fretboard. In the center, drummer and lead vocalist Dan Beehler sits behind a massive drum kit, his intense gaze locked forward. To the right, bassist Allan Johnson grips his bass guitar, bathed in a warm, fiery glow.

The lower portion of the cover contains production credits, a special thanks section, and contact details for the band’s fan club in Ottawa, Ontario. Notably, credit for the mysterious arm on the front cover—labeled as the "East Side Slasher"—is acknowledged here. The Roadrunner Records logo and catalog number (RR 9710) sit neatly in the top right corner, reinforcing the album’s European distribution.

Close-up Photo of "EXCITER - Heavy Metal Maniac" Record Label 
Side 1 label of Exciter's Heavy Metal Maniac vinyl record, released by Roadrunner Records. The off-white label features the bold red Roadrunner logo at the top, with track titles and credits printed in black, surrounding the center spindle hole. The catalog number RR 9710 and production details are also included.

This is the Side 1 label of Exciter’s Heavy Metal Maniac vinyl record, a landmark release in early speed metal. The off-white label is dominated by the bold red Roadrunner Records logo at the top, with a large, capitalized “R” enclosed in a rectangular border. The text encircling the outer rim states copyright and reproduction restrictions, printed in red for emphasis.

The catalog number RR 9710 is positioned on the left side beneath the bolded “STEREO” marking. To the right, the record’s playback speed, 33 RPM, is labeled alongside the STEMRA rights organization marking. The center spindle hole is prominently cut through the label, leaving a circular void in the printed text.

The album title, "HEAVY METAL MANIAC", is printed in bold uppercase letters, followed by the five track titles and their songwriting credits in a smaller black font. The song listing includes speed metal staples like The Holocaust, Stand Up and Fight, and the title track, Heavy Metal Maniac. Below the tracklist, the text confirms that the album was produced by John Belrose and published under Varney Metal Music Corp.

At the bottom, the label states dual copyright years: 1983 Shrapnel Records for the original release and 1986 Roadrunner Productions B.V. for this particular pressing. The overall design is simple but effective, reflecting the raw, no-nonsense ethos of the album and its fierce, uncompromising sound.

Index of EXCITER 1980s Vinyl Album Discography and Album Cover Gallery

EXCITER - Heavy Metal Maniac
Heavy Metal Maniac  12" LP

Roadrunner RR 9710 / Shrapnel  , 1986 , Netherlands

"EXCITER - Heavy Metal Maniac" is the electrifying debut album by Canadian Thrash Metal pioneers, Exciter. Originally known as "Hell Razor", this 12" vinyl LP encapsulates the raw power and intensity of the band's early sound. Released with relentless speed and aggression, this iconic album showcases Exciter

Heavy Metal Maniac 12" Vinyl LP
EXCITER - Long Live the Loud (Netherlands)
Long Live the Loud (MFN, Netherlands)  12" LP

Music For Nations RR 9782 , 1985 , Netherlands

In 1985, the Canadian speed metal maniacs known as Exciter unleashed their third studio album, "Long Live the Loud," upon an unsuspecting world. This sonic assault, released on Music For Nations in the Netherlands, was a relentless barrage of riffs, screams, and pummeling drums that cemented Exciter

Long Live the Loud (MFN, Netherlands) 12" Vinyl LP Long Live the Loud (UK) 12" Vinyl LP
EXCITER - Unveiling the Wicked
Unveiling the Wicked 12" LP

Music For Nations MFN 61  , 1986 , France

"EXCITER - Unveiling the Wicked" is a thrilling 12" vinyl LP released in 1986 by Canadian Heavy Metal band Exciter. Published under the MFN Music for Nations label and manufactured in France, this album showcases the band's evolution, blending powerful riffs, blistering solos, and intense vocals.

Unveiling the Wicked 12" Vinyl LP
EXCITER - Violence & Force 12" LP
Violence & Force 12" LP

Roadrunner RR 9870 , 1983 , Netherlands

"Violence and Force" by Exciter has been produced by Carl 'The Sacred One' Canedy and released in 1984. It has been recorded at the "Pyramid Sound Recording Studios" (this studio was four years later used by "Overkill" to record "Under the Influence"),

Violence & Force 12" Vinyl LP