STRUCK A NERVE – Struck A Nerve

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7.0

• Bands:
  NERVE STRUCK
• Duration: 00:32:22
• Available from: 11/28/2025
• Label:

• Listenable Records

Starting with the earth-shaking “Nocturnal Terror”, taking a look at the logo, the cover of the album of the same name and the series of photographic shots attached to the promo, the feeling of finding ourselves faced with a new star-striped thrash-hardcore reality was quite reliable.
But no: Struck A Nerve are English, to be precise from Norwich, and were born from the most 'extreme' branch of Shrapnel who, with the latest “In Gravity” (it was May last year) had abandoned the aggressive and old-school verve in favor of a more modern metalcore/djent.
So the mystery has been revealed: the two fugitives, Aaron Tucker (vocals and bass) and Chris Williams (drums), joining their former partner Nathan Sadd (guitarist and leader of Shrapnel) and guitarist Lexell Altair, have created a real explosive mine, where the anger of Slayer and Power Trip (pay close attention to the character of the moniker) has found free vent in this eponymous bombing debut, without any second thoughts of the case. A sort of 'where we were left', further weighing down the sounds recorded in the first works of the previous band, with the sole intent of hurting.

Thrash and crossover with splashes of death season the violent reflection of the four Britons on humanity's historical propensity to commit acts of barbarity; today as then, the feeling is that of being on the edge of the abyss, as if sooner or later everything would be demolished by the madness of human beings.
Hence the studded helmet, the gas mask, the flames, the swords and everything else to symbolize the restless impetuosity of Struck A Nerve who, especially in the first part of the album, turn the listener's spine upside down.
First of all, as mentioned, with “Nocturnal Terror”: a fiery song, which does not even reach three minutes, with a deadly riff, reminiscent of the productions of Tom Araya and company at the beginning of the millennium. Thanks, among others, to Chris Williams, whose work behind the skins (one of the few highlights of “In Gravity”), today finds fertile ground to unleash all its power. This declaration of intent, also demonstrated by Tucker's awkward uvula, anticipates the title track where a more harmonious break wistfully quotes the old Shrapnel as if to say “hey guys, it's still us“.
From here the step to “Parade Of Violence” and the subsequent “Inside The Torture Fortress” is short, with the basic coordinates that effectively follow those of the first two singles: arrogance, impetus, enthusiasm.

But it is precisely at this point that some questions or, if you prefer, simple reflections arise.
Having established the determination and evident charisma of the entire band to throw punches left and right, the doubt that arises is the following: comforted by the good outcome of the first cartridges, it seems that from “Raining Death” until the last of the thirty-two minutes, Struck A Nerve have somehow sat down, proceeding with the automatic pilot engaged.
A certainly ferocious driver, adorned with groove up to his hair, but somehow static, despite his furious assault.
So a debut that smacks of disappointment? Ni: the first four songs, as mentioned, had perhaps accustomed us too well and the hope of finding ourselves faced with an album of a certain importance was transformed over time into a solid and honest blow on the head, without, however, further traumas.
The bomb was thrown anyway and the explosion occurred: we await new ones and, if possible, even more powerful ones.