This year has been amazing so far if we speak about newcomers. So many fantastic debut albums have come out, and we are only half way through 2025. Now, “newcomers” is not quite the right term to use about Nefarious, because the band is new, but its members are some seasoned thrash and speed metal veterans. Just a glance at these names already raises expectations sky-high. We have the guitar duo of Doug Piercy (formerly of Heathen and Anvil Chorus) and Rick Hunolt (ex-Exodus, Diehumane), a rhythm section consisting of Tom Gears (bass, ex-Blind Illusion) and Will Carroll (drums, Death Angel) and the inimitable Katon W. de Pena (Hirax) as frontman! See? Told you!
Addicted To Power is the band’s full-length debut, coming out on July 18th, featuring eight absolutely stellar new songs, which reek of class from the very first note opener Mirror Death blasts through the speakers. The song starts with a long, melodic build-up of dual guitars, before at 1:16 the tempo accelerates into a classic speed metal frenzy, with clearly audible bass parts and ferocious drumming by Carroll (this guy is sick!). Katon performs his career-best vocals not only in this song but throughout the whole album. Next comes the title track, which is equally great, starting with a melodic guitar solo by Piercy, before Hunolt joins in with a trademark brutal thrash chainsaw riff. I shed a tear, honestly. This is everything a speed-thrash fan could dream of and more! The Master Plan and Together We Rise further develop the band’s style and sound, which is a masterful interplay and symbiosis between the more melodic, classically inspired leads of Piercy and the uncompromising thrash-riffs tornado produced by Hunolt. This duo is insane, I tell you.
Snarler is probably the only song to slightly deviate form that formula, because it could have easily been included in the untouchable tracklist of Bonded By Blood. There isn’t enough praise to be addressed to what Katon does in this album, once again. These are some of the best vocals in speed metal I’ve heard from a long, long time – a true master of his craft, singing with just the right amount of melody among the more aggressive parts.
The closing song One Nation Enslaved features so many fantastic guitar riffs, double harmonies and solo sections your neck will hurt. The production of the album is a little bit rough and unpolished, but still very professional, balanced and warm, adding to the old school feeling. I think I already made my point, but to cut things short: Addicted To Power is top level speed-thrash, better than everything Heathen, Hirax or Exodus have released in the last twenty years, and the best thrash this year, along with the new The Haunted. These guys know their business and I am already eager to know what the future will bring for this fantastic band.
10/10
Addicted To Power will be out on July 18th and can be ordered from HERE (on CD) and HERE (on vinyl)
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