Nuclear Assault were among thrash metal's most socially aware groups, making room for serious subject matter (and occasional goofs) in their careening speed metal riffing. They also remained closer to the world of hardcore... more » than most of their peers, and at their late-'80s peak released some of the most uncompromising thrash metal offerings of the time. One of the Big Apple's few challengers (along with Anthrax and Overkill) to the Bay Area dominance of all things thrash metal, Nuclear Assault became immediate contenders due to the cumulative sum of its parts ? not to mention, their extreme nature and their ability to back it up with solid musicianship. Produced by metal stalwart Alex Perialas, their first album, 1986's Game Over, was regarded as a breath of fresh air with its potent speed metal tinged with hardcore overtones. In the process, fans and critics alike instantly accepted it and the band was quickly off to the races. In early 2002 the band was approached by a mutual friend to reform for a couple of shows. Their first reunion show was a the Metal Meltdown in April and there they found out that there was a demand for the band to continue. They played the classic NYC venue CBGBs in May along with a show in Massachusetts that was recorded for a live album, released by SPV in early 2003. Currently, Nuclear Assault has just finished a successful tour of South America with the Sodom and is preparing for a European tour to support their first studio album in 10 years, Third World Genocide. The album features 13 tracks performed by core members Danny Lilker, Glenn Evans and John Connelly along with Anthony Bramante and Eric Burke. Supporting videos are planned for the songs Long Haired Asshole and Price of Freedom.« less
Nuclear Assault were among thrash metal's most socially aware groups, making room for serious subject matter (and occasional goofs) in their careening speed metal riffing. They also remained closer to the world of hardcore than most of their peers, and at their late-'80s peak released some of the most uncompromising thrash metal offerings of the time. One of the Big Apple's few challengers (along with Anthrax and Overkill) to the Bay Area dominance of all things thrash metal, Nuclear Assault became immediate contenders due to the cumulative sum of its parts ? not to mention, their extreme nature and their ability to back it up with solid musicianship. Produced by metal stalwart Alex Perialas, their first album, 1986's Game Over, was regarded as a breath of fresh air with its potent speed metal tinged with hardcore overtones. In the process, fans and critics alike instantly accepted it and the band was quickly off to the races. In early 2002 the band was approached by a mutual friend to reform for a couple of shows. Their first reunion show was a the Metal Meltdown in April and there they found out that there was a demand for the band to continue. They played the classic NYC venue CBGBs in May along with a show in Massachusetts that was recorded for a live album, released by SPV in early 2003. Currently, Nuclear Assault has just finished a successful tour of South America with the Sodom and is preparing for a European tour to support their first studio album in 10 years, Third World Genocide. The album features 13 tracks performed by core members Danny Lilker, Glenn Evans and John Connelly along with Anthony Bramante and Eric Burke. Supporting videos are planned for the songs Long Haired Asshole and Price of Freedom.
"I am a big fan of 1980s metal and am always interested in what bands from the metallic heyday are putting out now (so many are still around proving how incredible their music was and still is). Usually, these albums from old bands are OK but miss the magic of their glorious past. Third World Genocide is an exception. Nuclear Assault's Game Over/The Plague CD is at the top of my all-time thrash albums. This CD is now right up there with it. They have not missed a thunderous beat. Every track on here is awesome, some of them incredible! Listening to this CD is like going back to the 80s and listening to a lost release. The energy, feel, noisy yet addictive riffs: it's all here! Also, John Connelly is one of the best thrash vocalists. Although high, he doesn't have a screeching voice like singers in other thrash bands. It is much easier on the ears.
The title track is as solid a thrash opening as I have ever heard! Thundering, yet restrained, drums and very dark and heavy yet catchy hooks! "Price of Freedom" has excellent riffs between the verses. "Human Wreckage" is highlighted by heavy, pounding drums. "Living Hell" just pounds away and has an addictive chorus and a nice, slow-down bridge with pleasant guitar. "Whine and Cheese" is a fun, punk-like track with smashing cymbals and light, humorous lyrics ("I'm going to sit here and whine, I'm going to whine about how my life stinks..."). I love this song! It is the one I remember the most and find myself humming. I could listen to it over and over! Then it's is followed by the amazing "Defiled Innocence"--awesome guitar riffs, a head banging heaven! The next four tracks are straight-forward, fast and furious thrash! "Eroded Society" is Cryptic Slaughter-like (remember them? A blending of punk and thrash). Like their past albums, Nuclear Assault likes to demonstrate their sense of humor (remember their blues segment on "(You Figure It Out)"?) and they do so here with "Long-Haired A$#hole." It actually sports some cool blue grass licks. The vocals on it are darn good and the guitar solo is very impressive. The lyrics are also very cool ("Well people with short hair and business suits they caused the S & L disaster/ We'll be paying for that for the rest of our lives/ But I'm a long-haired a#$hole...") These guys are versatile musician extraordinaires! It ends with the killer closer "Glenn's Song" (another of my favorites). Although, my favorite tracks are "Third World Genocide," "Price of Freedom," "Living Hell," "Whine and Cheese," "Defiled Innocence," and "Glenn's Song," there is nothing weak here. Just killer, old school thrash! Anyone who likes 1980s thrash and is skeptical of what these bands are churning out now, do not hesitate to buy this CD. Check out the audio clips (that's what encouraged me the buy it) and you will be made a believer! The CD booklet includes lyrics and a photo of the band (Glenn Evans gives the sign that his fans are #1)."
THRASH METAL is back
Metalgenius | St.Louis | 09/10/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This Cd is a must have if u r a Nuclear Assault fan from the days of once were. This is just basically put this is a Kickass cd u will be banging your head to for awhile and get a few laughs as well cuz they still do some spoofs, besides the great musicianship on this thrashfest"
Nod to old school
Jorginhovskyi007 | Miami, FL, USA | 09/09/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I heard the music samples for this cd, and it kicks major butt. I was blown away! It brings back old school with a vengeance. This is what real metal should sound like (raw, heavy, aggressive, uncompromised, melodic, technical, fast at the right moments and slow at the right moments). It's refreshing and encouraging that among the sea of crappy music dominating the entertainment industry today, there are still some groups that don't succumb to the pressure of the industry. Don't listen to that nu-metal garbage that is polluting the airwaves. If you, kids, think that you're the coolest because you listen and dress like Slipknot, Linkin Park, etc., you're sadly mistaken. Those groups are posers not the real thing like Slayer, Death, Sodom, Kreator, Destruction, Anthrax, old Metallica, Fear Factory, Pantera, Sepultura, Suicidal Tendencies, Misfits, Megadeth,etc. I'm going to buy this cd. Long live old school metal of the 1980's and early 1990's!!!"
Back With a Vengeance! Nuclear Assault for the 21st Century!
Zander Haberstaft | Miami, Florida | 09/07/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Nuclear Assault was when of the most refreshing bursts onto the Thrash scene in 1986 with Game Over due to the intense circulation of the 1985 demo "Back with a Vengeance". In the 80s they had found a voice and sound all of their own. No one else sounded close to Nuclear Assault. Their blend of Thrash with hardcore inspiration was a sound wholly unto them.
1993's Something Wicked was the last output and was pathetic enough that the remaining band called it quits while Lilker and Co. had left in 1991. Enter 2005, we have almost all of the original band together Glenn Evans, John Connelly, Danny Lilker and Eric Burke. Original axeman Anthony Bramante makes the appearance on "Glenn's song".
Third World Genocide starts out a little shaky to be honest. The title track and the second song aren't that great, but things quickly pick up from there with the third track. "Human Wreckage" ushers in the classic Nuclear Assault sound with a bit heavy guitar and a thunderous bass aided by modern recording techniques. And WOW does that make their music sound even more impressive.
The tempos go from the hardcore/thrashing mid-tempos to slow drudgy slow tempo numbers like the beginning of "Discharged Reason" and the title track. The drumming is great, the guitar work is adequate, the bass is mixed very well and lends the rest of the music a heavy hand. Connelly's vocals have changed little from the "Out of Order" era. There is also little of the rabid hyenia nature to Connelly's vocals that colored albums like "Survive".
The album has just enough new tricks in the bag to avoid being called repetitve, the best example of that being the constantly changing song "Fractured Mind" with its wonderous song composition.
The subject matter goes everywhere from the "socially aware" to the downright silly. The perfect example is "Whine and Cheese" which is sooo bad it is hilarious. Another great silly one is the John Connelly solo song "Long Haired..."
It's good you can count on Nuclear Assault to Thrash us into the next millenium because giant bands like Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax failed to do that."