Here we have the debut album from Phoenix-based brutal death metal outfit Nuclear Remains who comprise Aiden Santelli (vocals), Anthony Fazio (guitars, backing vocals, synth), Gabe Villont (bass, backing vocals), and Anthony Buchowski (drums). Villont and Buchowski play together in Morgue Molestation, while Buchowski and Fazio are both in Vytriol. Santelli is also in a few other bands, so it sounds like the scene is both active and incestuous in their hometown. This 8-track 28-minute-long album is packed full of what one would expect given the genre, with complex riffs from guitar and bass which are locked together, a singer who is obviously inspired by Corpsgrinder, and a drummer who is an octopus in another life. They cite Skinless, Dying Fetus and Mortal Decay as some of their biggest influences.

We have clips from a news report on the first atomic test, plus various horror movies, but what lets this down somewhat is the quality of the production. Much of the riffing and vocals is quite muddy and there is little in the way of delineation, with the only item cutting through being the sound of the snare which detracts from the overall approach. That these guys can play is never in doubt, while Santelli has a really low gruff vocal style which is perfectly suited to this style of music, but this album is one which shows promise and the feeling that given the right opportunities here is a band who could do well in the scene (they have already been playing multiple out-of-state and hometown shows with the likes of BDM veterans Defeated Sanity, Devourment, Cenotaph, and Malignancy), as opposed to something which is going to set the BDM scene alight as it is. However, it is an interesting introduction to the band, and I look forward to see where they go from here.

Rating: 6/10

Links:
https://www.facebook.com/NuclearremainsPHX
https://www.facebook.com/MaggotStomp