NUCLEAR ASSAULT
"Alive
Again" (SPV / Steamhammer; 2003)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
Nuclear Assault fans, rejoice! The original line-up has reformed and recorded a live album containing twelve classic tracks from their first three albums and their "The Plague" EP.
If you subscribe to the belief that thrash metal should be wild, loose and sound like it's on the verge of losing control, then Nuclear Assault's "Alive Again" is just what you're looking for. Its' the kind of music that defines the term "rough edge."
Ripping through twelve tracks with reckless abandon, Nuclear Assault may not be purveyors of high tech musicianship, nor songwriters of the highest caliber. But they rock harder than hell and will solidly kick your ass! If there was ever a time when the term "sonic assault" applied, it's with this recording, which is as brutal and as honest as any I can remember. Plug this CD into a megawatt system and crank the volume knob all the way to the right and you're gonna think you're right there.
The overall production and sound quality is a little rough, but that's probably all part of the plan. It gives "Alive Again" that "live in the raw" feel that too many live albums lack these days (thanks to over-tweaking with toys like ProTools). In fact, it almost sounds like a bootleg - but that's not necessarily a bad thing.
It's been nine years since Nuclear Assault last played together but fans from that era can earn themselves new neck pains by banging their head furiously to this CD.
For more information, check out http://www.nuclearassault.us.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2003 by R.
Scott Bolton. All rights reserved.
Revised: 15 Apr 2024 16:12:40 -0400
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