Local Album Review // Maniacal Device // Caveman Thrash Metal
5/5 stars
Metal heads and Neanderthals can rejoice as one of Erie's heaviest bands have at last released a new album, Caveman Thrash Metal, their first full-length in three years. Maniacal Device is made up of local metal veterans who continue to bring classic thrash sounds of the late '80s and early '90s into the 21st century. Like many of their contemporaries, they combine a love of chunky guitar riffs and breakdowns with pop culture references that are meant to reflect on society's current state. The high-energy, short-song model sees the album clocking in at just under 20 minutes, with 13 songs about everything from drinking ("I'd Rather Drink"), record collecting ("Drastic Plastic"), close encounters ("Alien Invasion"), and movie references ("E Chu Ta"). Some standout tracks are "Ready For War," about what it takes to get ready to play a show and "Bruce Campbell" a song dedicated to one of horror's finest heroes. Maniacal Device shares a place in any metalhead's collection, alongside bands like Suicidal Tendencies, S.O.D., D.R.I., and Municipal Waste. Raise your beer and crank it up as Caveman Thrash Metal should be played at maximum volume, with little concern for your or your neighbors' hearing.
