Band:	Nuclear Assault
Album:	Game Over
Style:	Thrash metal
Release date:	1986
Guest review by:	Sebastian1982

01. Live, Suffer, Die
02. Sin
03. Cold Steel
04. Betrayal
05. Radiation Sickness
06. Hang The Pope
07. After The Holocaust
08. Mr. Softee Theme
09. Stranded In Hell
10. Nuclear War
11. My America
12. Vengeance
13. Brain Death

Some time ago, very long ago, I was very abruptly exploring my tastes in music. Before rock and metal, I was a big fan of hip-hop, and more specifically hip-hop from the 90s, mostly the well-known rappers along with others unknown (of a certain manner). In itself, it's a very long story that may not matter much. The thing is, I don't know people in my social circle who share my tastes, including at that time when I liked hip-hop (I still like it, but there's something different). What I could refer to is that no one taught me my taste in music; it was simply me discovering. In rock and metal, it's the same thing: me discovering.

And so we come to the moment I encountered Nuclear Assault and their debut album Game Over. There is something of great love whenever I remember and see this album. The first time I heard it, I was somewhat unconvinced, but as time goes by, one changes; I listened to it again and I really understood how aggressive it was, and the emotion I felt when listening to it. I was so in love with this album... In my country, more than anything, finding record stores is not easy; the metal movement isn't very big in my country. Some bands that I know (and some that I don't know) arrive; it is very good to know that at least they are coming, but many will agree that in Latin America the really strong area for concerts are in Chile and Argentina. I'm not complaining, and one day I'll be able to go and enjoy those concerts... I think I'm getting away from the point.

As I said, record stores are very limited but I was lucky, very lucky. When I got to that store, I saw myself as a snoop, looking through records and having no money. Until... I saw it: Nuclear Assault, and with my desperation of wanting to have it but having no money, I left disappointed. About two months passed, and I returned under different circumstances, with the intention of buying an album for someone I knew. When asking about that specific album, I only received "it's not here yet"; with a well-marked smile, I looked and there it was, Nuclear Assault, and it was the same one I saw two months ago: Game Over. Without thinking I bought it, with a comment from the cashier that "It's a good album"; I responded with "not only is it a great album, it's a masterpiece". I left the place so happy; for a long time, I had not felt that way.

This is all a story in which I bought an album for the first time, and with the sweat of my brow. It was worth every minute and second.

Time to get into the album, apart from what I can say that hasn't been said. Dan Lilker, as the founder of Nuclear Assault, at the same time he was in Anthrax along with Scott Ian and Charlie Benante. Things happen and he was expelled in 1984, but in the same year he would launch his personal project, Nuclear Assault, alongside Jonny Connelly, Anthony Bramante and, last but not least, Glenn Evans. They would release Game Over in 1986, and album that reflects the aggressiveness and rebellion of young people at that time, with lyrics about war, politics and society. An album that is very 'thrash metal', and a song in particular, "Betrayal", wa in dedication to Scott Ian, described as treacherous. However, this is information that many should know.

I love all the songs, although for many, the most aggressive track "After The Holocaust" is poor. It's all the emotion that this great album gave me. The version I have is vinyl, and this edition contains the interlude track "Lesbians"; I can't stand listening to the album without it. It's like listening to "Hang The Pope", all so beautiful.

This is what I can say about this album that marked a part of my life. Maybe someone believes that I overrated it, and if so it's just understanding how one knows the album; I discovered it through pages to download albums, and it marked me, to the point that now I have it on vinyl. It is a masterpiece.