For over 20 years now, Exciter is still a force to be reckoned with in the metal industry. Despite some line up changes over the years that affected the musical creativity and consistency of the band's writing and touring process, as well as some albums that are considered less than memorable, Exciter continues "pounding metal" with "violence and force".

"New Testament" is just that. Exciter is back with a new line up, which includes original guitarist John Ricci, lead vocalist Jacque Belanger and drummer Rick Charron. And what better way to demonstrate the progression in the band's delivery of speed/thrash metal by re-recording 15 of their best songs (10 classics and 5 recent). Here's the track listing: 1. "Rising of the Dead" (from "Heavy Metal Maniac" 1983) 2. "Violence & Force" (from "Violence and Force" 1984) 3. "Rule with An Iron Fist" (from "Blood Of Tyrants" 2000) 4. "Rain of Terror" (from "Kill After Kill" 1992) 5. "Brutal Warning" (from "Blood Of Tyrants" 2000) 6. "Victims of Sacrifice" (from "Long Live The Loud" 1985) 7. "The Dark Command" (from "The Dark Command" 1997) 8. "I Am the Beast" (from "Long Live The Loud" 1985) 9. "Pounding Metal" (from "Violence and Force" 1984) 10. "Stand Up and Fight" (from "Heavy Metal Maniac" 1983) 11. "Heavy Metal Maniac" (from "Heavy Metal Maniac" 1983) 12. "Black Witch" (from "Heavy Metal Maniac" 1983) 13. "Burn at the Stake" (from "The Dark Command" 1997) 14. "Long Live the Loud" (from "Long Live The Loud" 1985) 15. "Ritual Death" (from "The Dark Command" 1997).

"New Testament" is an excellent retrospective of Exciter songs from past and recent years, re-recorded with much better playing and production than the originals. Some of these songs sound as good if not better than the originals. The songs are more pleasurable to listen to and have been given new life. The recording is beefed up with pounding drums and a guitar sound which doesn't seem to be over powered by the bass and drums. The vocals can be compared to a deeper sounding Bruce Dickinson meets Joe Comeau (Liege Lord era) on the low end and Rob Halford on the higher, air raid banshee wailing end. Ricci also plays bass on the album.

Originally this album was supposed to contain one new track called "Oblivon II" but for some reason it didn't make it onto the final track listing. It would have been a big tease if they did only include one new track. It would have been nice to see them release an even mix of old and new songs, maybe as a double disc set or just one disc. In any case, these "new versions" leave me craving for some brand new, original Exciter tracks!

Like Saxon's "Heavy Metal Thunder", Venom's "Cast In Stone (bonus disc)" or Testament's "First Strike Still Deadly", Exciter's "New Testament" is another great example of how a band from the first wave of speed/thrash metal can give songs of the past new life, raising the bar amongst themselves by which they can measure their improvement as a metal unit worth listening to. Hopefully they will release an all new original album before years end. Exciter is currently reviewing 2004 festival offers from such overseas events as Wacken Open Air (Wacken, Germany), EuroRock (Neerpelt, Belgium) and Metal Daze (Pratteln, Switzerland).