šŗš¦ #NowPlaying on #KEXP's #Early
Public Enemy feat. Anthrax:
šµ Bring tha Noize
šŗš¦ #NowPlaying on #KEXP's #Early
Public Enemy feat. Anthrax:
šµ Bring tha Noize
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JOHN BUSH Says He 'Would Like To' Play Special Shows With ANTHRAX Featuring Him, JOEY BELLADONNA And NEIL TURBIN
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Thrashāmy first love. Before I worshipped at the altars of black and death, my masters cloaked themselves in denim and set my soul on fire with aggressive speed, snotty rebellion, and fist-pumping anthems. Like 2016, the godfathers of thrash have already made the last twelve months a resurgence of the old school, with varying degrees of success.1 Newer acts have also made a splash, with Cryptic Shift and Zerre wickedly pummeling our poor score counter into requesting early retirement.2 2026 at large betrays no signs of relenting, and thankfully, neither does thrash. Ten years after dropping their 2016 debut, The Unholy Trinity, Californiaās Nukem reemerges with sophomore effort The Grave Remains. After such a long incubation period, does Nukem prove that they have what it takes to claw out from the grave?
Despite forming in 2012, Nukem oozes classic thrash spunk by blurring Bay Area melody with East Coast attitude and gang vocals. Death Angel, Nuclear Assault, and Overkill3 influences punctuate The Grave Remainsā twelve tracks, although flashes of a dozen other bands course through Nukemās veins. Guitarist/vocalist Steve Brogdenās snarls remind me of Warbringerās John Kevill mixed with a more pissed-off Mark Osegueda, delivering serrated crossover barks with conviction. Rob Cavestany even makes a guest appearance on āInto the Kill Zone,ā cementing the Death Angel frame of reference. Exodus staples Gary Holt and Lee Altus also sling some riffs on āEmpress of Evilā and āDonāt Believe a Wordā respectively, the latter of which is a Thin Lizzy cover. In total, Nukem blends a multitude of inspirations into a confluence of so many thrash wellsprings that they precipitate a voice at once familiar and distinct.
Nukem plays infectiously fun thrash that overflows with shout-along choruses and a bass tone so plump and meaty that it quickly became my favorite aspect of The Grave Remains. Brogdenās guitars flit, chug, and cajole throughout the forty-nine minutes, yet bassist Don Lauder steals the spotlight time and again. From the slinky rumble in āUnconditional Surrenderā to the coquettish interplay in āEmpress of Evil,ā Lauderās bass bounces and parades with low-end jubilance. āTorture, Murder, Mutilate!ā and āRandom Acts of Violenceā further emphasize the bass while showcasing Nukemās six-string attack, with Xander Gambini augmenting Brogdenās core. Additionally, ex-Nukem axe-wielder (and current Dark Angel guitarist) Laura Christine joins her former bandmates and Gary Holt on āEmpress of Evil,ā while āRandom Acts of Violenceā includes an appearance from Russ Tippins (Satan and Tanith). Drummer Norm Leggio rounds out the rhythm section, ably pounding out rolls, fills, and tight rhythms in support of Nukemās well-crafted performances.
Nukem executes thrash with the eager verve of a hungry up-and-comer, but a couple of missteps limit The Grave Remainsā ceiling. While the riffs are fine when experienced in isolation, as a whole, they often lack the hooks or memorability to distinguish themselves from one another. The Grave Remains shines brightest during bass performances and rousing choruses, but those two alone canāt support an entire thrash album. This issue wouldnāt be as glaring if the track lengths were shaved down, but as-is, only two songs (besides needless instrumentals) stay under the four-minute mark, and one of those is a cover. Repeat spins reinforce the opportunity to trim thirty to sixty seconds off several tracks, which would help punch up The Grave Remains and leave listeners craving MOAR. On a positive note, the production glows with a well-balanced mix that supplies ample room for each instrument, and Nukemās earnest embrace of head-banging gusto guarantees Iām never having a bad time.
Ultimately, Nukem offers a classic thrash platter with a few blemishes I can see, yet easily look past. The Grave Remains wonāt change the landscape of the genre, but fans will find plenty to enjoy, and despite the melting pot of references, Nukem manages to claim their spot within thrashās wing of the metalsphere. Songs like āUnconditional Surrenderā and āCurse of the Devilās Bibleā are welcome earworms that have found homes in my playlists, and I look forward to the next time Nukem asks us to come get some.
Rating: Good
DR: 8 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
Label: Redefining Darkness Records
Websites: Bandcamp | Facebook
Releases Worldwide: April 10th, 2026
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JOHN BUSH Releases Official Video Of His Performance Of ANTHRAX's 'Random Acts Of Senseless Violence' From Whisky A Go Go
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Watch: JOHN BUSH Performs ANTHRAX Classic āRandom Acts Of Senseless Violenceā Live At Whisky A Go Go; Video
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from the album ALL FOR THE CAUSE
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ANTHRAXā CHARLIE BENANTE, SCOTT IAN Talk About New Album ā āMARILYN MONROE Has This Plaque In Her House Which Said āCursum Perficio'ā
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ANTHRAX Drummer CHARLIE BENANTE Performs PANTERA Classic āStrength Beyond Strengthā In Playthrough Video
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