Something Wicked
Nuclear Assault · 1993
38 min · 11 tracks · thrash metal
A relentless barrage of thrash riffs and aggressive vocals that confront societal chaos with unyielding intensity.
Top tracks — play these first
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Something Wicked — As the title track, it sets the thematic tone of the album, addressing violence and moral decay through powerful riffs and relentless energy.
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Another Violent End — This track exemplifies the band's ability to combine catchy hooks with intense thrash elements, highlighting the futility of violence in society.
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To Serve Man — Based on a classic sci-fi story, this song blends narrative depth with thrash aggression, showcasing Nuclear Assault's penchant for storytelling within their music.
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Poetic Justice — The track’s incisive lyrics critique societal issues while maintaining an infectious rhythm that resonates with listeners, making it a standout piece.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases intricate instrumentation and aggressive themes typical of thrash metal, while maintaining a distinct sound.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a fast-paced title track that sets a relentless tempo, which is maintained through the first half before slowing slightly in the latter tracks.
- Each song features complex guitar riffs and rapid drumming, with aggressive vocals that often shift between melodic and harsh styles.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- relentless aggression with resolution
- dynamic progression through chaos
- wave-like pacing for engagement
- dark themes for intense focus
Maybe skip if you
- prefer lighthearted listening experiences
- seek immediate gratification tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Releasing 'Something Wicked' in 1993 marked Nuclear Assault's fourth studio album, following their 1991 release 'Handle with Care'. At this point in their career, the band was solidifying their place within the thrash metal scene, showcasing a blend of social commentary and personal themes that resonated with fans amidst the grunge wave's rise.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Something Wicked 4:40
- 2 Another Violent End 5:08
- 3 Behind Glass Walls 4:09
- 4 Chaos 3:56
- 5 The Forge 5:12
- 6 No Time 5:18
- 7 To Serve Man 2:26
- 8 Madness Descends 4:30
- 9 Poetic Justice 2:47
- 10 Art 0:08
- 11 The Other End 0:38
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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