Assault & Battery cover

Assault & Battery

Nuclear Assault · 1997

51 min · 18 tracks · thrash metal

Raw and aggressive thrash metal riffs collide with politically charged lyrics, channeling frustration and urgency throughout the album.

Top tracks — play these first

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    Leaders — This track exemplifies the band's blend of aggressive instrumentation and sharp political critique, capturing the essence of disillusionment with leadership.
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    Hang the Pope — Boldly challenging authority and religious institutions, this track stands out for its brevity and biting satire wrapped in swift thrash rhythms.
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    Radiation Sickness — Addressing themes of fear surrounding nuclear proliferation, this song combines intense riffs with a sense of urgency reflective of the era's anxieties.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • frantic energy for active listening
  • live tracks enhance chaotic vibe
  • wave-like pacing keeps engagement
  • short bursts of raw intensity

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer mellow and slow music
  • want cohesive long-form pieces

Where this album fits

Career context
Assault & Battery was released during Nuclear Assault's later career phase, serving as their fifth studio album after a five-year hiatus following 1992's 'The Last Testament'. By this time, the band had established a solid reputation in the thrash metal scene but faced challenges maintaining commercial viability amidst changing musical landscapes.
Stylistic neighbors
Anthrax· Megadeth· Slayer

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Happy Days 3:45
  • 2 Enter Darkness 3:20
  • 3 Leaders 3:54
  • 4 Hang the Pope 0:41
  • 5 Radiation Sickness 2:39
  • 6 Hypocrisy 3:07
  • 7 Behind Glass Walls 4:10
  • 8 No Time 4:02
  • 9 Hour Shower 1:00
  • 10 Sadam 2:36
  • 11 Preaching to the Deaf 4:31
  • 12 Hang the Pope 0:49
  • 13 Ping 0:11
  • 14 Torture Tactics 2:30
  • 15 Fight to Be Free (live) 5:13
  • 16 Trail of Tears (live) 5:21
  • 17 Ping Again (live) 0:12
  • 18 Butt Fuck (live) 3:49

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata