Nails has never been a band to mess around. With a total runtime of just 17 minutes and 47 seconds, their latest album, “Every Bridge Burning”, is a blistering assault on the senses. It’s relentless, hard-hitting, and an absolute masterpiece of thrash-punk fury. But like a lightning strike, it’s over almost as soon as it begins, leaving you both exhilarated and yearning for more.

It’s been eight long years since Nails last dropped a full-length album, and in that time, fans have been eagerly awaiting the return of the band’s unique brand of sonic devastation. With a new lineup that includes Carlos Cruz on drums, Andrew Solis on bass, and Shelby Lermo on guitars, alongside band leader Todd Jones, “Every Bridge Burning” reintroduces Nails to the world with a vengeance. The album may be brief, but it’s packed with more intensity and aggression than most bands can muster in a full hour.

The album kicks off with “Imposing Will,” a seismic event in the realm of sonic aggression. Clocking in at just over a minute, the track smacks you in the face with thudding guitar stabs, a whacking blast beat, and a devastating mosh part. Jones’ vocals, described as resembling a demonic cat hacking up a furball, give the grinding violence a wild edge that sets the tone for the rest of the album.

For me, the standout track is “Give Me the Painkiller.” This song encapsulates everything that makes Nails great. It’s a bare-bones assault with a galloping tempo that brings to mind the Motörhead wing of metal, albeit on crack. The spirited guitar solos and hammer-on pull-offs inject an old-school speed metal vibe that’s a fantastic addition to the Nails playbook. It’s a track that will make you want to hit repeat as soon as it ends.

But as brilliant as the album is, it’s hard not to feel a little let down by its brevity. After eight years of waiting, a mere 17 minutes feels like a tease. The album may have ten tracks, but with an average length of just over a minute per song, it’s over almost before it begins. Tracks like “Punishment Map” and “Trapped” epitomize the grind-violence approach; get in, kick ass, and get out. And while that’s undeniably Nails’ M.O., it’s hard not to wish for just a bit more content to sink your teeth into.

Production-wise, Kurt Ballou’s work behind the mixing board is, as always, impeccable. The album’s sound is a perfect balance of clarity and grime, retaining the Swede-core aesthetic that has become a staple of the Nails sound. Every instrument is given its due, with the buzzsaw guitar tones cutting through the mix like a blade, and the drums delivering a punishing beatdown that drives the album forward.

In terms of songwriting, “Every Bridge Burning” is as sharp as ever. The band’s ability to craft memorable riffs and hooks in such a short span of time is nothing short of remarkable. Tracks like “Lacking the Ability to Process Empathy” and “Made Up in Your Mind” showcase Nails’ knack for blending thrash, grind, and hardcore into a cohesive, gut-punching whole. Even in the album’s closing moments, with the one-two punch of “I Can’t Turn It Off” and “No More Rivers to Cross,” Nails manages to maintain their signature intensity without becoming repetitive.

In conclusion, “Every Bridge Burning” is everything you’d expect from a Nails album; fast, furious, and unrelentingly aggressive. It’s a testament to the band’s ability to deliver pure chaos in a compact package, and while the short runtime leaves you wanting more, there’s no denying the sheer power of what’s here. It’s an album that will likely be one of the highlights of the year for many, myself included, despite its brevity.

Rating: 9/10

Release Date: 30^th August 2024
Label: Nuclear Blast

Writer: Andy Baqone

Track list:

1. Imposing Will
2. Punishment Map
3. Every Bridge Burning
4. Give Me The Painkiller
5. Lacking The Ability To Process Empathy
6. Trapped
7. Made Up Your Mind
8. Dehumanized
9. I Can’t Turn It Off
10. No More Rivers To Cross