Nuclear Assault
Handle With Care

THE REVIEW

And here we are at "Handle With Care," the fourth chapter of the nuclear assault saga, which began three years earlier with "Game Over." This album, indeed, is considered, along with the last one mentioned here, a true masterpiece of the New York Thrash-Speed Metal Band, formed and led by the group's most well-known and esteemed member: bassist Danny Lilker, who previously played with bands like Holy Moses, but especially as a former Anthrax member. We are undoubtedly in front of the prototype of a Thrash-Speed record: a pounding and high-energy sound is shaped by sharp guitars producing hyperspeed riffs, a vibrant bass that knows how to speed up the tempo, and drums that create unimaginable counter-rhythms.

Here, the six strings of John Connelly and Antony Bramante travel like rockets, creating very fast riffs and solos. Lilker's performance is commendable, with his always prominent bass managing to pop up here and there without ever making his presence feel "heavy" for the sound, which is already abrasive on its own. Glenn Evans' performance is also praiseworthy, as he keeps piercing timing and speed changes behind the drums. "Handle With Care" hinges on genuine masterpieces like the destructive "Critical Mass," the unpredictable "Emergency," the swift "New Song," and especially the great "F# (Wake Up)," which, let's say, dominate in the presence of other very good songs like "Inherted Hell" and the chilling "Surgery." In this CD, there's also room for experimentation with "Funky Noise" and "Mother's Day," tracks that I could do without, although in the end (at least the latter) are enjoyable to listen to.

We are faced with an incredibly inspired Connelly who, in addition to having practically written this album alone, offers outstanding performances on guitar, but especially with his vocals: he interprets lyrics at very high speeds with very high pitch, in an almost defiant manner, speaking of the band's fears and concerns about nuclear energy (a theme heavily present in "Critical Mass"). I don't think there's anything else to say about this album except that it should be considered, even if not among the greatest Metal albums of all time, a very good work that undoubtedly has brought Nuclear Assault to the forefront as one of the best American Thrash groups and why not, even worldwide.

(P.S. I wanted to thank the Bui brothers, Poe, and their cousin Paz, who kindly scanned the cover of this record since I lack a scanner).