John Connelly - Guitar/Vocals
Scott Harrington - Guitar
Danny Lilker - Bass/Vocals
Glenn Evans- Drums
NUCLEAR ASSAULT were among thrash metal's most socially aware
groups, making room for serious subject matter (and occasional
goofs) in their careening speed metal riffing. They also remained
closer to the world of hardcore than most of their peers,
and at their late-'80s peak released some of the most uncompromising
thrash metal offerings of the time. After performing on Anthrax'
1984 debut Fistful of Metal, bass player Danny Lilker decided
to jump ship and search for a more aggressive outlet for his
music. Lilker formed NUCLEAR ASSAULT with vocalist and guitarist
John Connelly (also briefly a member of Anthrax in its formative
years) in 1985. Guitarist Mike Bogush and drummer Scott Duboys
only lasted a few months before being replaced by guitarist
Anthony Bramante and ex-T.T. Quick powerhouse drummer Glenn
Evans. One of the Big Apple's few challengers (along with
Anthrax and Overkill) to the Bay Area dominance of all things
thrash metal, NUCLEAR ASSAULT became immediate contenders
due to the cumulative sum of its parts — not to mention,
their extreme nature and their ability to back it up with
solid musicianship. Produced by metal stalwart Alex Perialas,
their first album, 1986's Game Over, was regarded as a breath
of fresh air with its potent speed metal tinged with hardcore
overtones. In the process, fans and critics alike instantly
accepted it and the band was quickly off to the races.
The following year The Plague E.P. was an even more intense
aural experience, but also managed to introduce NUCLEAR ASSAULT's
dark sense of humor with an ode to Mötley Crüe singer
Vince Neil (fresh off his vehicular manslaughter rap) on "Butt
Fuck" (later retitled "You Figure It Out").
With constant touring making up for their obvious commercial
limitations, the band continued to hone their craft in the
studio, beginning with 1988's greatly improved Survive and
culminating in 1989 the outstanding Handle With Care. The
latter proved that the group could refine their political
speed metal and songwriting without compromising their anti-establishment
stance, and was supported by successful Euro tours with thrash
titans Exodus, and later U.S. jaunts with Testament and Savatage.
1990s Live
at Hammersmith Odeon video celebrated this great phase, and
the band came off the road having won a healthy dose of new
believers. Shortly afterwards the band released “Out
Of Order” and in 1992 Dan Lilker left to pursue Brutal
Truth. The band released one more album (Something Wicked)
and broke up.
In early 2002 the band was approached by a mutual friend to
reform for a couple of shows. Their first reunion show was
a the Metal Meltdown in April and there they found out that
their was a demand for the band to continue. They played the
classic NYC venue CBGB in May along with a show in Massachusetts
that was recorded for a live album to be released on SCREAMING
FERRET WRECKORDS in early 2003. After a triumphant performance
at the infamous Wacken Open Air festival in Germany in August,
original guitarist Anthony Bramante left the band due to commitments
at home and was replaced by Erik Burke. In September 2002
the band returned to Sao Paolo, Brazil, where they had played
back in 1989 with the then fledging Sepultura opening.
NUCLEAR ASSAULT is currently in the process of writing music
for the first new studio album in 10 years, and will be appearing
at festivals thru Europe in 2003 and in the US on a mini tour
thru the Southwest and West Coast in late January and early
February.. |
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