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If Exciter's debut album, Heavy Metal Maniac, showed this Canadian band's promise, the follow-up Violence & Force delivered on that promise in a big fucking way. It's an improvement in every aspect, from the sound (Heavy Metal Maniac was essentially a demo, to be fair) to the performances to the songwriting. They even got a color photo for the front (Heavy Metal Maniac's cover was black and white). Exciter is generally considered thrash or speed metal but that is only one aspect of their music. Yes, "Violence & Force" and "Destructor" are lightning-fast thrash anthems that will leave you breathless, but Exciter could also slow things down and crush you with a leaden groove like the one on "Delivering to the Master" or rock things up Anvil-style on "Pounding Metal." Dan Beehler's vocals are something of an acquired taste and on Violence & Force his throat-rending screams are in full force but the backing vocals of guitarist Jon Ricci and bassist Allan Johnson are the perfect complement. There are no weak tracks on Violence & Force, but if you want to get an idea of what you are in for, spin the amazing "Saxons of the Fire." This song perfectly encapsulates early '80s speed metal with a great riff, cool subject matter, squealing solo and insane vocals.

Violence & Force is a near-perfect record that no fan of thrash should be without.