Time Signature Nuke me baby...

Genre: speed metal/thrash metal/crossover

A Detroit band, it is perhaps fitting that Nuke's eponymous debut is full of references to Robocop 2 (which is an underrated film in my opinion). Just like the gritty universe of the two first Robocop films, Nuke's style of music is raw and dangerous. Just like the Nuke-crazed Cain, Nuke's eponymous debut album is a destructive force of nature.

The listener is treated to considerably raw speed-thrash metal which nonetheless has melodic leanings. The opening track 'Nuke Me Baby' is a fast, furious and pretty straightforward onslaught of speed-thrash metal with a slight punky edge. The second track 'Meta Inferno' is more in the vein of traditional metal, featuring influences from NWoBHM in the form of twin guitar leads and old school metal riffage. The fast-paced 'Marching Undead' goes back into speed-thrash territory, while 'Hellrider' is another outing into traditional heavy metal. 'Dead Space' takes its starting point in NWoBHM and offers plenty of melody and twin guitars, and slightly reminds me of a combination of early Iron Maiden and early Helloween.

As mentioned above, the music on the album is considerably raw, which makes itself felt - not only in the music itself - but also in the production. The guitars are crunchy, and the guttural vocals are not polished. While the guitars have a sharp treble edge to them, they are counter-balanced by a rather robust bass which prevents the entire production from drowning in reverb and treble. This type of production might not appeal to fans of post-2000 metal, but fans of 1980s extreme metal might enjoy it, if for no other reason than nostalgia. 'Rip Ride' is more uptempo and has a feel of old school thrash metal to it, and 'The Queen' is a speed metal attack that occasionally borders on hardcore punk and crusty d-beating. Slowing down, 'Flame of Desire' treats the listener to galloping guitars, and the album closes with 'Murder Troops' which combines a Motörhead influence with traditional heavy metal.

Nuke's "Nuke" is not for everyone, but if you like raw heavy metal with a punky edge and a deliberately retrospective production, it should be right up your alley. Personally, I find it an enjoyable listen.