Band:	Nerve
Album:	Hate Parade
Style:	Death metal
Release date:	January 2010

01. The Threat
02. Mescaline
03. Shelter
04. My Inferno
05. Black Fades
06. Fake Deaf
07. Hate Parade
08. I Am My Own God
09. Nil
10. How To Fix A Broken Heart
11. Generation Lost

In recent years, the Italian scene seems to have grown exponentially, especially on the thrash and/or death side of things. Sadly but logically, this increase did see a lot of average bands coming to life.

So yes, Nerve come from Italy, and they play thrash/death metal. Or, to be more precise, a powerful, violent, fast, in-your-face 'modern' thrash metal with death and hardcore elements. It's quite similar - but no copycat - to The Haunted, both for the global musical formula, and for the adrenaline-packed aggression infusing this record. And then, don't forget these jazzy parts too? Someones did listen a bit too much to Atheist, I guess (as comparisons come, there are worse ones than this)?

Playing such a music requires quite some skill, right? Well skill there is. The riffing and soloing (whether jazzy as in Mescaline or not) are great, and on the whole the guitar work is outstanding. The bass is really good, quite high in the mix, and certainly influenced by the likes of Steve DiGiorgio. Drumming is tight, precise and powerful. And even the vocals are good. Well, not great, but really correct, moreso as Fabio (Nerve's vocalist) does everything, from screams to grunts to (gulp) clean vocals. And yes, they are correct, even on the dispensable ballad How To Fix A Broken Heart. The songwriting is on the whole varied and interesting, with some jazzy interludes, great riffs and good songs. Also, just a word about the sound and production. Nothing to complain about here: it is powerful, clean (all can be heard neatly) and thankfully not overproduced.

Well? No, Nerve are not the most original of bands (apart from that 'The Haunted with jazz' thing), but they do play their stuff with talent, conviction and energy. And they pack a good punch indeed. This fact alone is reason enough to check them out! A really nice surprise.