Release Date: July 03rd 2026. Record Label: APF Records. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl
The Second Fall - Tracklist
1.Men's Rea
2.Amber 04:37
3.Domicide
4.Vertigo 04:36
5.Bridge Burner
6.Transmissions
7.Actus Reus
Members
Drian Nash - vocals
Lewis Atkinson - guitar
John Carberry - bass
Liam MacBeath - drums
Taz Corona-Brown - guest vocals on Actus Reus
Review
Doom/Hardcore/Sludge Metallers Nxmad return with their first album since reforming back in 2021 where they were originally known as Nomad. The band have dropped their Stoner Metal sound that appeared on their earlier records for a heavier style of Hardcore to level out the playing field. There’s also a heavy reliance on Thrash Metal and Speed Metal which you can feel from the opening stages of the excellent record The Second Fall.
Nxmad offer some solid classic hard rock and heavy metal hooks which compliments the dirty Doomed out sounds throughout the album. The band feel influenced by the likes of Motorhead, Metallica, Hatebreed, Crowbar and Kingdom Of Sorrow on this record but with that heart-thumping Hardcore edge giving this album a real modern “METALLIC” vibe.
Nxmad waste no time “FUCKING AROUND” by getting straight down to business of playing this THRASH METAL beatdowns throughout the stunning array of opening tracks Mens Rea, Amber and Domicide. The vocals from Drain Nash are always welcome to hear as he has a pummelling and violent aura to his whole performance. Drain Nash does channel his inner Punk Metaller for this record which works superbly well with the groove metal sounds that dominate the first half of the record.
The Second Fall isn’t over-produced with Nxmad projecting the right balance of modern day aggression and underground seediness which adds to the overall HEAVY METAL effect on the album within the massive thrash beats and sludgy grooves that continue to aim for maximum damage. There is a level of Post-Doom and Psychedelic awareness that develops on this record though mostly hidden in the background which come into play within the final stages of the record.
Nxmad continue to develop a harsh, unforgiving and abrasive energy where the Thrash Metal and Speed Metal aspects of their music fully collide with superb results on tracks Domicide, Vertigo and Bridge Burner. The raw atmosphere does feel like it’s been conjured from a long gone era of Hardcore, Groove and Sludge Metal but Nxmad know how to inject modern based atmospheres into the final mix.
The standout track on the album has to be the final song Actus Reus which calls upon the amazing vocal talents of Taz Corona-Brown (Coma Smile and Undersmile). I’ve been a huge fan of Taz for years and it feels like it’s been an absolute age since I’ve heard her superb vocals where she really delivers here. The song allows Nxmad to delve into creative surroundings such as Post-Rock, Shoegaze and Post-Doom. The song works best when the quieter parts appear but you need those epic THRASH, DOOM and SLUDGE METAL elements to appear so Nxmad can close the album on an almighty finish.
The Second Fall is a superb record with Nxmad delivering some of their most interesting music yet which should leave the listener ultimately fulfilled with its non-stop amount of punishing sounds that will leave you a shivering wreck before everything is finished.
Words by Steve Howe
Links
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