NUCLEAR ASSAULT „Alive Again”

Nuclear Assault came from the New York thrash scene, alongside Anthrax and Overkill. Bass player Dan Lilker formed Nuclear Assault with vocalist John Connelly after Lilker recorded with Anthrax on their 1984 Fistful Of Metal debut, which is perhaps the best release from Anthrax. Once formed, Nuclear Assault survived through a number of releases including Game Over (1986), The Plague EP, Survive (1988), and the ever-popular Handle With Care (1989). Their final disc, Something Wicked This Way Comes, was the first Nuclear Assault disc to feature a configuration without Dan Lilker. After years apart the Assault recently regrouped and has released this 12-song live CD which was recorded May of 2002 in Massachusetts. Alive Again opens with three songs from Survive, 'Rise From The Ashes', 'Brainwashed' and 'F#' before leading into 'New Song' and 'Critical Mass' from Handle With Care. If you think you are a thrash metal fan, but you don't own Nuclear Assault Handle With Care you simply must locate a copy now! 'Critical Mass' and 'Trail Of Tears' from Handle With Care – 'Trail Of Tears' is included as track 11 on this live release – both had videos featured on the original Headbangers Ball from MTV back in the 80s. Survive also really needs to see a reissue, and any Nuclear Assault fan will notice some of the artwork borrowed from Survive for the simple cover on Alive Again. Alive Again also includes other Nuclear Assault thrashers 'Betrayal', 'Radiation' Sickness' and a few more.

Because this is a live in concert CD Alive Again really isn't essential metal for everyone, but it's the start of what could be a good comeback for Nuclear Assault. The release is fairly short (total playing time 38:08), but most of their best songs are included, and they clearly didn't wimp out in terms of speed when playing their classic material. The current Nuclear Assault bomb squad consists of only vocalist John Connelly, Lilker on bass, Erik Burke on guitar (Anthony Bramante recorded on Alive Again but he bowed out for personal reasons) and Glenn Evans on drums. Currently they are working on material for their first studio CD in many, many years. Also, for an enjoyable listen try finding C.I.A. In The Red (1990 Combat/Relativity). This CD was a side project from Glenn Evans, which featured guest vocals by John Connelly on the song 'Extinction'. The C.I.A. side project also wielded one other release entitled Attitude.

note: 7 of 10

Tracklist

Rise From The Ashes
Brainwashed
F#
New Song
Critical Mass
Sin
Betrayal
Radiation Sickness
Game Over
But F*ck
Trail Of Tears
Hang The Pope