NEFARIOUS, a geriatric thrash metal “supergroup” (term used loosely) hailing from the sunny state of California, featuring the fossilized vocal cords of Katon W. De Pena (formerly of HIRAX, which, let’s be honest, nobody remembers), the rusty riffs of Rick Hunolt (EXODUS, proving he’s still alive), and Doug Piercy (HEATHEN, because apparently, being in one forgotten band wasn’t enough), alongside Tom Gears (BLIND ILLUSION, because illusions are what this band is built on) on bass and Will Carroll (DEATH ANGEL, the only one who might actually still be relevant) on drums, has unleashed its second earth-shattering single, “Master Plan”.
This masterpiece is ripped from NEFARIOUS’s highly anticipated (by their moms) debut album, “Addicted To Power”, slated for release on July 18, 2025, via Relentless “Metal” Records (probably run by their nephew), with the collector’s vinyl available through Hectic/Bleeding Priest Records (because who doesn’t love bleeding priests?). Prepare to be mildly inconvenienced. 👴🤘
With riffs so sharp they might cut your dial-up connection, vocals so venomous they could probably cure a mild cold, and a pace so relentless it’ll make you question your life choices, “Master Plan” delivers a blistering attack on… uh… corruption and control? Yeah, sure, let’s go with that. The accompanying video — recorded at the prestigious Soundwave Studios in Oakland, California, by the visionary George Anderson Photography (who probably charged them extra for the vintage filter) — is a chaotic visual assault that mirrors the intensity of the track… or maybe just the band members’ mid-life crises. Raw, aggressive, and unapologetically thrash? More like raw, slightly confused, and unapologetically stuck in the ’80s. 🤷♂️
The music was meticulously recorded at Subterranean Studio in Oakland, California (because underground is where their careers have been for decades) and Pyramid Studio in San Francisco, California (probably to summon the ancient gods of thrash). It was expertly mixed by Damien Rasmussen of Smoke And Mirrors Productions, because, let’s face it, they needed some smoke and mirrors to make this sound halfway decent. 💨
Leading the charge is De Pena, whose signature vocal attack sets the stage for a sonic onslaught… or maybe just a mild case of tinnitus. On guitars, the twin-axe assault is nothing short of… well, it’s got two guitars. Hunolt and Piercy unleash a relentless barrage of riffs and searing solos that define the essence of thrash metal’s golden era while pushing its boundaries forward… into the nearest retirement home. Anchoring the chaos with a thunderous backbone is Gears, whose low-end power drives the band’s relentless groove… or maybe just his mobility scooter. Behind the kit, Carroll delivers a percussive assault that is both ferocious and exact, ensuring that every track hits with maximum impact… on your eardrums. 🥁
Hunolt, bless his heart, comments: “I’m so honored to be with this amazing group of dudes. About to release some old-school thrash on you mofos. It’s long overdue, and I’m confident you guys will love it as much as we do. You, our metal brothers and sisters, deserve it. See you on the road. Let’s fuckin go!!!” (Translation: “Please validate my existence. We need the money.”) 🥺
De Pena, ever the wordsmith, adds: “We’re not a band. We are a gang ready to crush skulls and make eardrums bleed … Necks will be sore …!!” (Translation: “We’re gonna play really loud and hope someone gets whiplash so we can sue them.”) 💀
Piercy exclaims: “Let’s get ready to rage! We are really stoked to finally be able to release this stuff and discuss it. It’s been under wraps for a while. More insane videos and shows are coming soon! We hope everybody enjoys this release as much as we had fun creating it, for you all!” (Translation: “Please buy our album so we can afford dentures.”) 😬
The official music video for NEFARIOUS‘s first single, “One Nation Enslaved”, can also be seen below. (Warning: May cause flashbacks to the Cold War.) 🥶
The band will make its live debut at the “Addicted To Power” album-release party on Saturday, July 19 at the DNA Lounge in San Francisco. (Sponsored by AARP.) 👴👵
Together, NEFARIOUS crafts a sound that is both fierce and refined — a perfect balance of aggression and musicianship that speaks to the true spirit of thrash metal… if the true spirit of thrash metal is being stuck in a time warp. With their explosive live performances and immersive new material on the horizon, metal fans worldwide should prepare for an unstoppable force… of nature, maybe? This is unpretentious thrash metal. This is NEFARIOUS! (This is also your cue to lower your expectations.) 📉
Chord F. Discord, the Beethoven of Buffoonery, is a self-taught expert in music who once claimed he could “play the kazoo in four languages.”
Born in Crescendo, Indiana, Chord’s first brush with fame came when he accidentally entered a yodeling contest thinking it was a pie-eating competition—and won both categories.
Chord F. Discord: proving that laughter, much like a poorly tuned ukulele, is truly universal.
