Nuclear Assault – Something Wicked
History
This is yet the only album where the line up has changed. Both Bramante and Lilker left the band temporary, why I don’t know. Anyway, this album is way more different from Nuclear Assault’s previous albums. This album sounds more like fast heavy metal than the hardcore-thrash they usually play, but there are some typical fragments in a few tracks that reminds of NA’s original sound. To me is sounds like Nuclear Assaults version of Metallica’s Black Album, the album is more well-produced, nice sounding and vocally improved. The lyric part of the album has also improved, the songs have no exact messages but they a clearer theme than the previous lyrics.
Band Members
John Connelly does a very good job on this album; his vocals are more relaxed, melodic and improved on this album but there are a few moments his voice seems to fail him. In the previous albums his vocals have a more intensive, yelling and screaming sound which I think that made Nuclear Assault unique from other thrash-bands. He has also improved his guitar playing a bit and it sounds precise and well performed.
Dave Dipietro is the other guitarist which is also does a great job on this album. He is now a member of the band TT Quick. He has no unique style of playing guitar but he performs some melodic and good solos time to time on this album.
Scott Metaxas sure does a great performance with his bass on this record. His bass lines are loud and clear and it lifts the songs to almost to the top. The bass is equally sounding with the other instruments and it creates a wall of sound.
Glen Evans is hammering along with the other guys with his machinegun drumming. He plays tight and precise, the drums sounds heavy and are not as rushed as in NA’s previous material.
Track Information
Something Wicked (4:41)
Starts with heavy drums and are later followed by some heavy riffing. The song has a moderate tempo, a groove heavy main riff and good lyrics. The guitar solo has a melodic feeling to it but it doesn’t sound great, but in general this song is a very good song. 4.5/5
Another Violent End (5:09)
Starts with a melodic acoustic intro and are later turned up into a faster tempo. The fast riffs sound good but the drums do not follow the same pace as the guitars which are less good. The chorus is strong and there are many solos from both John and Dave. The solo part is calmer than the other sections of the song. 4/5
Behind Glass Walls (4:09)
Enters with heavy double bass drums and bass, has a slow tempo through out the whole song. The solo is good and it has a sad feeling to it. The song seems to be about a man that is mentally ill according to the lyrics. 3.5/5
Chaos (3:56)
The start is similar to the chorus riff of Metallica’s ¨The Thing That Should Not Be¨.
The main riff is fast, technical and catchy which makes you want to head bang. The solo is great and fits perfect to songs tempo. The verses are catchy and the chorus is strong and powerful. This is one of the best songs of the album! 5/5
The Forge (5:13)
A slow acoustic part opens the song and is later stared by the rest of the band. The lyrics do not sound like Connelly, though this is the first time I hear these kinds of vocals in one of their songs. The verse seems a bit boring but the chorus sounds very good when it is lifted when the other band members sings along with Connelly. The song is later turned up to furious and intensive riffing and drumming which is typical Nuclear Assault. 4/5
No Time (5:19)
This is a power ballad and is also opened with melodic acoustic guitars and acoustic soloing. The song has a heavy feeling through out the song. The verse is melodic and calm while the chorus is slow and heavy. The lyrics are great and so does the instrumental part. 5/5
To Serve Man (2:26)
This song is one of the shortest songs and it is also one of the fastest. The songs structure is heavy and fast, and the solos are played in the same pace as the main riff, very good. The verse is good but the chorus doesn’t make a high score. 3.5/5
Madness Descends (4:31)
Starts with a low and heavy intro and are later transformed to a triplet based song. Has a moderate tempo but the chorus seems a bit flat. The song has a great solo section and good lyrics. 4/5
Poetic Justice (2:47)
This is probably the thrashiest song of the album, the song sounds like some of NA’s first songs. The song also contains some explicit lyrics time to time, bad verse and I can not hear a single solo in this song. 3.5/5
Art (0:08)
8 seconds of waste time again! Yes you read right, the ¨song¨ is only 8 sec but it has a better structure than the later types of this kind of tracks. It has a very intensive and aggressive tempo and it ends when Connelly says: Its f****** art, man! 2/5
Personally I think that this is their greatest album yet, they seem to have put more work on this album because it sounds awesome. This album has more sounds and influences from heavy metal, the intensive hardcore fragments has been removed which lives more space to let the members show their skills. This is high a quality metal record that you should have, I highly recommend this album and it is worth buying. Overall album rating: 4.5/5
