Style : Grindcore / Powerviolence / Rock’n’Roll
Label : Nuclear Blast.
Eight years of silence—and then, suddenly—17 minutes of unrelenting fury, blending sheer brutality with unexpected metallic nuance. Such is the explosive offering of Every Bridge Burning, the latest scorcher from NAILS, marking the band’s thunderous return to the North American grindcore and powerviolence scene.
Todd Jones (vocals and guitar) leads a new lineup featuring Carlos Cruz (drums), Andrew Solis (bass), and Shelby Lermo (guitar), delivering a ferocious performance. Special praise goes to Cruz, whose dynamic drumming brings greater rhythmic variation to the album while preserving the band’s trademark intensity.
From the opening track, “Imposing Will,” NAILS delivers a frontal assault in just 1 minute and 22 seconds of pure sonic detonation. The abrasive guitar tones—reminiscent of Entombed’s HM-2-driven sound—lend a raw, gritty texture rooted in classic Swedish death metal. Meanwhile, Lermo and Jones unleash thunderous, layered riffs as Cruz’s relentless drumming drives the chaos forward with precision and control.
Todd Jones’ vocals have also evolved on this record. Long known for their unrelenting aggression, his delivery now carries added depth: the snarling screams remain as biting as ever but are now more articulate and sharpened, with each word delivered with palpable rage. This more controlled vocal approach lends the album a heightened intensity, making each track more intelligible without sacrificing any of its raw impact.
With “Punishment Map,” the album maintains its momentum, delivering a one-minute blast of pure grindcore fury—an uncompromising sonic assault. NAILS treads the line between raw violence and destructive groove, enhancing the track’s chaotic, crushing riffs. The title track, by contrast, slows the tempo slightly, adopting a more old-school D-beat groove that cleverly contrasts the surrounding chaos. With its hypnotic rhythm and signature HM-2 guitar tone, the song delves into darker lyrical territory, exploring themes of betrayal and isolation.
The true gem of the album is undoubtedly “Give Me The Painkiller”—a track steeped in Motörhead spirit, with rapid-fire riffs and an untamed rock’n’roll energy that still channels NAILS’ trademark grindcore brutality. Its galloping rhythm evokes Lemmy’s breakneck pace, while the aggressive guitars and an unexpectedly melodic solo enhance the track’s fusion of raw rock’n’roll and extreme metal. It stands out as a centerpiece, showcasing the band’s ability to expand their sound without losing an ounce of intensity.
