Nuclear Power Trio, Wet Ass Plutonium (Metal Blade 2023)

The Nuclear Power Trio are back with more sparkling, guitar-driven instrumental metal on their new album, Wet Ass Plutonium.

Nuclear Power Trio is an instrumental progressive/thrash metal band. The members are disguised – they dress up as Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, and Kim Jong Un. Hence, the Nuclear Power Trio. It’s a gag, folks. I have to say, when first they appeared a few years back, it was a little jarring for me to see the humor in portraying these three fucknuts for a joke. I have lightened up since then, and besides, the music flat out slaps. Credits for the musicians are Donny – Tremendous Guitars, Kimmy – Supreme Drums, and Vladi P – KGBass (while rumors swirl that the band is made up of members from Cephalic Carnage, Allegaeon, and Havok).

The music here again is amazing. Of course, I love instrumental metal, so this was always going to be a winner with me. Wailing ripping shreds in both guitar and keys seamlessly coordinated with exceptional rhythm structures is what you get on every song. The opener, “W.A.P. (Wet Ass Plutonium),” is an excellent intro and a great piece, but so is the next song, “Apocalypse Mao,” and the next one, “Nyetflix and Chill,” and the next, “Air Force Fun,” …

The production is bigger this time, with horns, more keys, and guest solos from Chris Broderick (In Flames, Megadeth), Ben Ellis (Scar Symmetry), Brian Hopp (Cephalic Carnage), and Scott Carstairs (Fallujah). There is even a saxophone, prominently deployed on “Anti-Saxxers (Mandatory Saxination).” This is a great album. I have listened to it three times today, and it is going in regular rotation here at Shardik Media Headquarters. Recommended.