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NUKE
Nuke ’Em All EP

Self-released (2022)
Rating: 7/10

There are several bands with this moniker but this Austrian bunch of moshers is a new act when it comes to released material, although they’ve been around since 2014. The goofy cover art is a dead giveaway with this EP; it screams thrash through and through and for 25 minutes you may – or may not – be enthralled by what is essentially standard yet energetic thrash for the pit.

What I do like more than anything with this seven-track affair is the sneering vocal attack from Johannes Beerbömber who has a rather grizzly, snarling attack which adds extra hostility and beef to proceedings. I’m even more thankful for the vocal gnashes because the music to accompany it is rather tepid, but that’s probably down to the production.

With a release like this I expect rather cutting riffage, speedy snaking leads, ferocious percussion and a babbling bass attack, but everything around Johannes feels and sounds lukewarm. This is a real shame because with extra bite these songs would make quite an impact, especially ‘The Laughing Skull’.

‘9.2.5.’ channels a sort of Nuclear Assault flavour; it’s a speedy albeit brief expression of haste. Meanwhile, the gang chants on ‘Demolition Death’ are pretty much standard content for the glut of generic thrash acts doing the rounds. However, there is much to savour here, particularly the rampant ‘Gravemaster’ and the galloping blasts of ‘Slaughter The Innocent’.

There’s certainly work to be done here because as it stands Nuke do not seem convincing enough and with such apparent flaws Nuke ’Em All doesn’t live up to its title, but it remains an enjoyable thrash romp nonetheless.

Neil Arnold

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