by Alissa Ordabai
– Senior Columnist —
Here is a cool bundle of six honest-to-goodness Thrash tracks spiced up with some of the finest guitar work the East Coast metal has to offer. Guitar player Rob Castoria presides over this release as the sole writer, guitar player, bass player, and singer. Also known as Big Rob, the Queens native endured on the NYC scene for decades. And although Maniac Rise in its current line-up played only three live shows so far, the material on this album dates back to the Eighties and the early Nineties.
This explains the uncompromising feel of the record. Galloping harmonies, biting riffs, and neck-break-speed solos take you back to the time when die-hard believers played Metal from the heart. Opener “Swallow My Evil” goes on a tear with brazen aplomb, instantly bringing to mind early Slayer, Burton-era Metallica, and the gnarling anger of Napalm Death. Castoria makes sure his growling gives the songs their edge, but the words stay just about intelligible, making sure the message is not lost.
“Addiction” that follows takes the life-affirming energy of early thrash into the terrain of note-perfect guitar soloing — crisp and laconic. But it doesn’t take long for Castoria to start showing off his virtuosity to the full when he pours showers of notes over a rip-roaring riff on “Resurrection Absurd.” Here harmonic tension is contrasted by a simple melody delivered in a self-assured, gravelly voice — no growling this time, just sheer thrash-driven audacity.
But Castoria’s stylistic terrain doesn’t end with thrash. He can also go for Neo-classical swank, as on “Silent Assailant” where he weaves an expansive, faultless solo into the fabric of a riff-centric barn-burner. He never overplays, and even when he goes for insane speed, his shredding stays answerable to the melody.
Overall, this is a treasure trove of a release for anyone who enjoys virtuosic guitar, loves thrash, or ever gets nostalgic for sincerity of old-school Metal.
Genre: Metal
Album line-up:
Rob Castoria (Big Rob) — music, lyrics, all guitars, bass, all vocals except for “Killer at Large”
Stacy O’Dell — drums
Jessica Pimenteli — vocals on “Killer at Large”
Live line-up:
Rob Castoria (Big Rob) — guitar
Dave Sussman — bass
Servo — drums
Maven — vocals
Track Listing:
1. Swallow My Evil
2. Addiction
3. Resurrection Absurd
4. Killer at Large
5. Silent Assailant
6. Burial
Label: Maniac Rise
Online: www.facebook.com/maniacrise; www.facebook.com/robcastoria
Hardrock Haven rating: 8/10
Just caught Maniac Rise live in NYC and they were spectacular!!