Thrash Metal in its roots and Death Metal not only shared a lot of features but were so near of each other that was hard to set limits and say what a band was doing on those days. But as time passed by and boundaries were rigidly set, those romantic days were over and a band who was playing one genre stayed on it. But some bands seem to defy the established rules and dare to bring back such feature. One of them is Texas based quintet FUGITIVE, as shown on "Maniac". In the instrumental parts, it's a form of aggressive Thrash Metal that has resemblances with acts as FORBIDDEN, VIO-LENCE, DARK ANGEL and (obviously) SLAYER on its primordial albums, what means that they work on a technical and aggressive form.

In other words, the vocals are using guttural and snarling tunes in a similar way to the 'death growls' of Chuck Schuldiner, giving the band's music some touches of Death Metal. And such idea created a set of songs that are full of aggressiveness and weight, with a massive wall of energy. Dive into it! The EP was produced by the guitarist Blake Ibanez (the mastermind behind the band). And had the sound engineering and mixing of Rubio N., and the mastering is signed by Will Killingsworth. The final result is something brutal and crude, but with clean and defined sonority that enables the hearers to understand what's being expressed.

"The Javelin" is a nasty and solid instrumental song that introduces the album, preparing the hearer to fast and climatic song, "Maniac", that is filled with sharp guitar riffs and arrangements (and with melodic solos) and many rhythmic shifts. On "Hell's Half Acre", the speed decreases, what means that bass guitar and drums are doing a great work on the rhythmic conductions. And showing the hooks that Thrash Metal inherited from MOTÖRHEAD comes, where some Death Metal traces appears in some moments (with very good guttural vocals). And closing, the band shows a brutal and Thrash Metal version for "Raise the Dead", that old (and great) BATHORY song, with a massive attack of the guitars and charming snarls of the vocals.

For a first coming, "Maniac" shows itself as a very good release. But's not enough for the fans, so let's hope that FUGITIVE can come with an album as soon as possible.