NERVOSA is a 4-piece Thrash Metal band from Sao Paulo, Brazil. The long-running band is back with ‘’Jailbreak’’. They have been at it since 2010 and have already 5 full-length albums to date. They are considered the descendants of SEPULTURA and add to the progression of the genre into the 2000s. They are critically acclaimed for their ferocity, yet they have some of the most thought-provoking lyrics in the genre. Down with the mutilation, death, rape, and whatnot lyrical content from a lot of Metal bands out there. They talk about the existence of mankind, his struggle against the government, his struggle against his very existence, and the collapse of any social interaction. This album dives headfirst into lyrical themes that are quite uncommon in their genre and it’s honestly a breath of fresh air.

You have contrasting dynamics throughout this opus, and it never repeats itself. It never becomes monotonous or uninteresting, the melodies are very interesting and have that in-your-face attitude. They don’t really step out of their comfort zone and yet it is still much more complex than previously thought. Nothing seems to be left at random and you do not have any filler tracks. Songwriting takes great prominence, and it becomes something rather interesting in the end.

The 4-piece all-women band packs a punch and it’s a band I read about for years and years, as with CRYPTA but never took the time to sit down and listen to anything they have done. Obviously influenced by bands like SEPULTURA and the Big Four, they can integrate a more technical side to Thrash metal with some epic guitar solos. I know that usually, we do not associate the genre with the more technical side of things, more of an in-your-face style but NERVOSA is able to sneak in some impressive musicianship. It adds some texture, a bit of flair, and quintessential talented musicians on par with any band out there, no matter what.

The opening one-two punch of ‘’Endless Ambition’’ and ‘’Suffocate’’ kicks off the album on the right foot and you can compare these two opening tracks to anything Thrash Metal has gotten out these last decade or so. These are not restrained songs, yet they have that refined and mature approach, with greater production value with the added flair of major 80’s Thrash influences. They remain faithful to their style and influences yet are quite ambitious on some songs, getting out of their comfort zone without compromising anything in the long run.

In a genre that is fractioned at best, with bands taking their time releasing new albums, it’s fun to see a band release albums on a consistent basis finally. I am getting tired at my age of waiting 6-7 years between albums, it’s pure nonsense to me and you disconnect/unfollow bands just because of this little facet so seeing newer bands releasing new stuff in a manageable and more intelligent way, it gives another life to the genre that has struggled the last decade and a half.

They have some Death Metal elements, especially in those vocals but you can clearly hear the lyrics from screamer Prika Amaral, it encapsulates something I really enjoy about this band. Replacing the energetic Diva Satanica, was no small task, but she was up to the challenge. I have trouble doing the disassociation between the musical aspect and the vocals that are front and center. I will not enjoy something that does not coexist with the other. As a prime example, I can enjoy the music of a band like DEATH, appreciating some elements but was never able to enjoy the shrieks of legendary frontman Chuck Schuldiner.

I will never be able to wrap my head around music that takes second place to the singer and yet NERVOSA have created a homogenous sound quite their own and are the leaders in the genre and they are coming for the world. They are this new generation of Thrash Metal, they have the attitude of the legendary all-women punk rock band GIRLSCHOOL and have this ‘’I won’t back down’’ to no one and it feels like they have the reigns of the genre, bringing it to a new light and a new place in the music world.