Exciter, the Canadian power-metal trio (now a foursome) who long since established their impressive credentials when they burst on the scene nearly two decades ago, are a true symbol of dignity and determination. Having overcome music industry obstacles that would have caused lesser wills to crumple long ago, they have successfully faced their share of disappointments, fickle music trends and faded glories, and an abundance of misconceptions to rebound with an impressive new line up and album.

Band co-founder and original guitarist John Ricci speaks glowingly of this latest resurgence of the re-tooled and re-directed heavy metal maniac that has grown into and actually surpassed expectations of the traditional Exciter faithful followers have cherished and sought-after for many years. So here's John anxiously and graciously tackling topics that cover the full spectrum from the early days when they first made their explosive impact on the metal market, to the leaner years that sprang up during the mid to late 80's, on up to Exciter's present state of affairs which find them still alive and loud, ready to meet whatever challenges the future brings.

AMZ - Many people have remembered Exciter as being typically an 80's band that simply couldn't cut it in the 90's. In fact, too many of them seemed to write the band off long ago and were surprised to learn Exciter is actually still around. So let's play catch up a little bit, say from the period since your last fairly well known release here in the states, the self-titled album from around 1990.

John - In 1990, Dan Beehler (original drummer/vocalist) and myself got back together with a fill-in bass player, Dave Ledden. I had quit Exciter for five years from 1985-90. The band had actually continued without me with a new guitarist, Brian McPhee, and during that time they released "Unveiling the Wicked," (1986) and "Exciter," (1988). It was at this point that the band completely broke up. So in 1990, I called Dan up and asked him if he wanted to get back together and he said 'yes.' After all, Dan and I are the originals and we did most of the song writing. At this time, we got signed with Noise Records (Germany) and released "Kill After Kill" and then in 1993 we signed with Bleeding Heart Records (UK) and released "Better Live Than Dead."

AMZ - What is it that happened between then and now that Exciter basically fell into the depths of rock and roll obscurity save for mainly European audiences?

John - In 1993, Dan Beehler quit. He had had enough disappointments over the years. Exciter had been since 1978, and he was frustrated that Exciter had not reached the status the band should have. So for the next three years, I waited for Dan to change his mind, but he never did. In March 1996, I formed the new Exciter which is the current lineup.

AMZ - I understand that you are now the only remaining original member of the band. Who were the other two originals (when you were still a threesome) and what led to their departure?

John - Myself, Dan Beehler and Allan Johnson are the original members. As I explained before, Dan was fed up with the music business and Allan left in 1988 after the "Exciter" disc was released. Apparently that existing lineup of Exciter did not work out so well, so he decided to pack it in.

AMZ - You now have a new lineup that features a new vocalist. What do you have to say to those fans that feel Dan Beehler can never truly be replaced? He was after all, as big a reason for the traditional Exciter sound as any.

John - Dan Beehler's drumming and vocal style were very unique and when we tour around the world, fans do ask about him. The thing is, the new members of Exciter and the new drummer, Rik Charron, can hold his own audience and have received positive response from fans, media, and compliments from other musicians. He has blended his drumming style with the Exciter drumming style, therefore the chemistry of the original Exciter is still evident in the band's sound.

AMZ - It's now the end of 1997 and Exciter's just released a killer new comeback album "The Dark Command." As you mentioned, sporting a new lineup but similar in style and sound that first gained the band prestige, is this the best it's ever been? Was the idea to willingly return back toward the beginning, when Exciter first made its mark on the power/thrash metal scene, even though the current course of time dictates success could easier be met moving forward in a more modern direction?

John - I wrote all the music and lyrics for the new disc "The Dark Command" and I definitely wanted to capture the spirit of the original sound. This recording is a very strong comeback--the reviews have been fantastic. When I wrote the new songs, I did not let the 90's trend influence me at all. I just stuck to my roots. The real metal is the metal that emerged in the 80's. Call it what you want, "old school metal," "classic metal," but it's the true metal. On our recent tour of Europe in Nov. / Dec. '97, the fans told us they were very glad we did not conform to that 90's metal, and for sure that Exciter stay true to their roots.

AMZ - The new singer oftentimes sounds familiar to an earlier version of Priest's Rob Halford, that led me to falsely believe one of the new album tracks, "Let Us Prey" was a Priest cover. But what were you actually looking for when you set out to find a new singer? How much thought went into finding someone similar to the original known voice of Beehler--or did you feel like you wanted to go in somewhat of a different direction yet still keep a minimal amount of similarity between the two?

John - Our new singer, Jacques Belanger, is definitely influenced by Halford. His vocal style is a combination of himself, Halford and Exciter. And yes, you're right, the vocal will always have a similarity, let's say a common thread between Belanger and Beehler. Our song "Let Us Prey" which is featured on the new disc, has nothing to do with Judas Priest's "Let Us Pray," it's just a coincidence.

AMZ - You've played some pretty massive festivals out in Europe, like the Dynamo in Holland in front of tremendous numbers of fans. What was the reason and why has it been so long since American audiences have gotten the chance to hear from the band who, to them, for all intents and purposes was finished long ago? And expanding on that thought, should the possibility arise for American as well as other fans who've been deprived of seeing the group live to get that chance anytime soon, what might they expect of an Exciter show aside from the decibel splitting volume levels?

John - We just played the Wacken Open Air Festival in Hamburg, Germany in August of '98. It was very successful. The fans went wild, the audience was singing along with all our songs, old and new. This festival was like 1985 all over again--just amazing. The total attendance for this two-day event was 16,000. We have played the U.S. on three occasions, all in the Chicago area. The Expo of the Extreme in November of '97, Smiler Coogan's and Riley's Rockhouse in April of '98 and more recently, Jackhammer's in August of '98. We have a lot of hard-core fans in the Chicago area (as well as other cities, I'm sure) and the reaction to the new Exciter was excellent. The band is very intense and visual.

AMZ - So now that you're involved with Osmose productions (France), and you've made quite an impressive dent in the European market, what's on the agenda for the band in the near future? Has there been any label interest from the states?

John - We are currently writing new songs for the next Exciter disc, which will also be released on Osmose Productions. Before we signed with Osmose, I contacted various American labels, but there was not much interest. I guess they thought we were finished... which is far from reality!

AMZ - By the time this interview goes into print, "The Dark Command" will be over a year old. As you mentioned, work will have begun on a follow-up. What might fans expect of the new material? Is it a safe bet that we won't hear of Exciter sacrificing their traditional style in order to please a few extra record execs as was maybe the perception back when the self-titled release came out and met with disappointment?

John - The new songs are now being written and it's a continuation of "The Dark Command." We just try to write good metal songs in the Exciter tradition. We will never sacrifice our style. Exciter will stay true to the end!

AMZ - Is there a way for fans to contact the band via the Internet or fan club if they want to learn of upcoming news and events or even hook up with Exciter merchandise?

John - Right at this moment, we are working on our web site. It's not ready just yet. In the meantime, our contact address is: EXCITER METAL MANIAC FANCLUB WORLDWIDE / P.O. BOX 8883, STATION-T / OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA K1G3J2.

AMZ - Finally, what keeps the band motivated after all this time--you've actually been around for the better part of two decades now--in the face of ongoing obscurity and political bullshit that seems to constantly prevail in the industry and yet you've made it through it all none the worse for wear. Can Exciter keep going strong carrying the knowledge of past disappointments and industry instability to move forward toward a future of equal uncertainty and a potentially career threatening risk?

John - Exciter does not have to wait for any musical trends to fade in or out. Exciter has such an original sound, that we carve out our own market. Metal will never die. Exciter created such a strong musical force, that the band's influence and determination will live forever. Exciter's personal goal and achievement for me, and I am lucky that the new members share the same motivation that I've had all along, is: LONG LIVE METAL!