NUKEM is a trio of stellar musicians, and if you have not already picked up a copy of "THE UNHOLY TRINITY" you need to get it RIGHT NOW!!!!! Obey this Metal Command!!!!! All of their thrashing angry metal is so fresh and heavy on this album, that their music will give you metal chills with their angry vocals, brilliant guitar work, pounding bass, and gut pounding drums, and although it sounds crisp, fresh and new, it has the nostalgic feel of classic 1980's thrash from the golden age of thrash metal.
Donald Lauder on bass is reminiscent of Frank Bello, Cliff Burton, Steve Harris and has some gut pounding bass lines, with almost a clean sound that cuts through beautifully and can't be denied with his aggression.
Steve Brogden is a riff master who you can hear his influences of James Hetfield, Gary Holt, Kerry King, Hank Shermann, Rob Cavestany, and Alex Skolnick. His vocals reminds me of the late Chuck Schuldiner, Chuck Billy, Mille Petrozza and James Hetfield with his angry aggressive "Metal Up Your Ass" singing style.
A little metal history on my connection with NUKEM: I have become good friends with both Don and Steve in recent years but Nukem's incredible drummer, the Italian Stallion Norman "The Octopus" Leggio and I have been Bonded By Blood brothers ever since 1983, and it was with Norm that I first listened to Metallica's Kill Em All and Ride the Lightning, Slayer's Show No Mercy, Haunting the Chapel and Hell Awaits, Exodus's Bonded By Blood, Mercyful Fate's Melissa, Venom's Black Metal, Anthrax's Fistful of Metal, Metal Church, and countless other thrash greats on Metal Blade, Megaforce, and Combat records that were part of the thrash metal underground. I got to see Norm play "Fight Fire With Fire" beat for beat perfect with his double bass in 1985, got to see him form Psychotic Waltz, and have never been more proud of him to see PW open up for Death Angel on their ACT III tour in February of 1990.
Fast forward just over two decades later to the first time I heard NUKEM's "Bloodseeker" "Warwolf" and "The Deceiver," I became an instant fan, as it was like a beautiful time warp back to the late 1980s with the aggression and power of bands like Testament, Death, Dark Angel, Death Angel, Kreator, Exodus, Slayer, Venom, and all those other great metal bands that make you grit your teeth and snap your neck when you hear the double bass, galloping guitars, shredding riffs, and vinyl violence. Norm Leggio's pounding, precision, and awesome drumming reminds me of Kim Ruzz, Paul Bostaph, Tom Hunting, Dave Lombardo, Ventor, Nicko McBrain, and Gene Hoglan while having his own unique style.
Nukem has a sound all their own that is epic thrash: Sometimes full on thrash, fast galloping songs and sometimes old school heavy pounding songs, and sometimes awesome melodies and leads that remind me of Metal Church and Mercyful Fate. Nigel Tufnell of Spinal Tap would say, "These guys go to "11."Refreshing Thrash Metal at its best and NUKEM will assault your cranium and will make you make a fist, grit your teeth and scream" NUKEM ALL!!!!!!" This terrific trio packs a deadly fistful of metal!
Their debut album "THE UNHOLY TRINITY" is a metal masterpiece and the best thrash metal album to come out in 25 years plus and is a MUST have for any 'Banger: "Evelyn's Awakening," "The Deceiver,""Atomic Age,""D.O.I.,""Warwolf," "Bloodseeker," and "Nuke 'Em All" are just a few of the amazing epic thrash metal songs on this album.
I have had the pleasure of seeing NUKEM live, opening up for Death Angel and they are one of the tightest and heaviest metal bands I have ever seen live in concert. I am proud to be friends with these guys and am proud to be a huge fan of theirs. NUKEM will please old school 'Bangers and a new generation of metal fans. Check out a killer video of NUKEM and Google "Nukem Evelyn's Awakening" and you will see for yourself the power and energy of this awesome metal trio.
I have had the pleasure of seeing NUKEM live, opening up for Death Angel and they are one of the tightest and heaviest metal bands I have ever seen live in concert. I am proud to be friends with these guys and am proud to be a huge fan of theirs. NUKEM will please old school 'Bangers and a new generation of metal fans. Check out a killer video of NUKEM and Google "Nukem Evelyn's Awakening" and you will see for yourself the power and energy of this awesome metal trio.
