Exorcist was a raw speed metal act from the mid-80s, heavily inspired by Venom. It was speculated for a long time that this band was actually Virgin Steele (Noble Savage era lineup) in disguise, letting off creative steam by releasing material radically different from their other works. Another reason for the different name and disguise was the then-ongoing legal conflict with band founder Jack Starr, who had been removed from the band in favor of guitarist Edward Pursino and argued that they could no longer call themselves Virgin Steele.