During the early ‘80s Thrash was blossoming into a subgenre of Metal that would eventually dominate the decade. From bands like Metallica to Megadeth, Slayer and Overkill, it was a great time for shredding guitars matched with fast drum beats. Since then, Thrash Metal has gone various different directions, and in the 2010s leading into the 2020s, one band worth discussing is Nervosa.
Coming from São Paulo, Brazil, Nervosa story began in 2010, leading up to their 2014 debut album Victim of Yourself. Showcasing traditional Thrash Metal chops, they followed up in 2016 with Agony, which led into 2018’s Downfall of Mankind and 2021’s Perpetual Chaos. All released through Napalm Records, 2023 finds Nervosa returning with their latest album, Jailbreak.
Released on September 29th, the album is a turning point for the band who already had four records under their belt prior. For starters, it is a mark of a new era for founding Vocalist/Guitarist Prika Amaral… because joining her is an entirely different lineup. With several members departing Nervosa around 2020 to form Crypta, Amaral retooled with Guitarist Helena Kotina, Bassist Hel Pyre, and Drummer Michaela Naydenova. Each seasoned players, having prior experiences with other bands, together with Amaral they form what could be Nervosa most captivating record to date.
Consisting of thirteen songs, it retains classic Thrash Metal tones, but finds the band experimenting and changeling themselves a bit with the song structures. Perhaps a product of the band now featuring two guitarists – Amaral and Kotina – the tracks all sound fuller, and a result, more impactful. This starts in a big way with “Endless Ambition” and “Suffocare,” but expands further with songs like “Seed of Death” and “Sacrifice.” “Seed of Death” and “Sacrifice,” possibly the boldest on the entire album, shows that Nervosa is playing with much more than a 1-string guitar. This is while classic thrashers like the title-track and “Kill or Die” stand out, but along them is also “Where the Truth Lies” with Exodus’ Gary Holt joining in, as well as “Superstition Failed” which includes Infected Rain/Death Dealer Union’s Lena Scissorhands.
Really a powerful record from start to finish, Nervosa proves they are one of the best on the modern Thrash scene. The songs are razor sharp, the attack is right on, and the dual guitar work is dazzling. So, if you are someone who is not too well-versed on Nervosa, yet love Thrash Metal mixed with some Death Metal, you are going to love what you hear. In fact, if you like bands like Exodus, Carcass, and Arch Enemy (during the Angela Gossow era), you will really dig what Nervosa are all about. It should also be noted that they will in fact be on the 70000 Tons of Metal Cruise sailing out of Miami come January 29, 2024, so if you are aboard check them out. Pure Thrash Metal, Cryptic Rock gives Jailbreak 4.5 out of 5 stars.
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