Swiss band, COMANIAC, expertly blends the aggressive nature of thrash with a clear melodic sense to create a hugely satisfying debut full-length release in "Return to the Wasteland". Delivering plenty of big riffs, a high level of intensity and authenticity, yet tempered with some seamlessly crafted changes in pace, COMANIAC have put out an album that should be accessible to most tastes within the metal community.

All too often, it seems that thrash bands rely solely on a frantic intensity to draw in a crowd. However, from the opening moments of this album, it's apparent that COMANIAC have larger aspirations. The first track, "1, 2, Rage", chucks out a whole heap of different ideas and rhythms, and features some particularly enjoyable moments where the music cuts right back to allow the bass or drums to stand out. And that's just in the first 90 seconds!

The vocals of Jonas Scmid are particularly enjoyable (especially for a thrash-based style), mixing the expected aggression with a sneering delivery - it's almost reminiscent of 70s punk. Plenty of instrumental sections also give the rest of the band ample time to demonstrate their skills, and are where the band show their melodic prowess. Such passages are expertly arranged, so that every solo and groove, regardless of technical complexity, is exciting!

"Return to the Wasteland" is a remarkably consistent and well-balanced album. The track order flows well, featuring short intense tracks in addition to longer ones, where the ideas have more time to develop and grow. Songs such as "Cut Throat" and "The Rake" employ sections of clean guitars to vary the mood. The latter of these also briefly uses samples, which aids in creating a somewhat eerie atmosphere. All of this keeps the listener attentive, and interested in whatever creative spark will surface next, meaning the 51 minute record passes in a hurry.

Don't be misled by COMANIAC coming under the banner of the thrash genre. While the music is in-your-face and unrelenting, it is achieved by mixing elements of many styles of metal and beyond, and then adding a little old-school polish. Simply put, "Return to the Wasteland" is a hugely enjoyable (and potentially eye-opening) record, that a lot of creativity and care has clearly gone into. It deserves to be heard!<