Nuclear Assault's thrilling run as one of thrash metal's most innovative and unpredictable acts had pretty much come to an end with 1991's awful Out of Order LP, which, in its aftermath, saw the departure of two founding members, most notably bassist Danny Lilker. So it was really a huge surprise for most fans when the band's remaining original members, vocalist/guitarist John Connely and drummer Glen Evans, not only pressed on with replacements, but returned two years later with a revamped sound on Something Wicked. Gone was the band's patented speed metal/hardcore hybrid, replaced by a slower, sludgier sound more in common with bands like Testament and Megadeth -- not to mention a noticeably more musical (shock!) singing performance from the famously shrill Connely. Still, while Something Wicked fails miserably in terms of the "classic"
Nuclear Assault sound, at least tracks like "Chaos," "Another Violent End," and the title song offer something new. Approach with caution. ~ Eduardo Rivadavia