Nxmad – The Second Fall
Nxmad – The Second Fall
APF Records
Release date: 03/07/26
Review by: Alun Jones
9/10
WAKE UP TIME! Hearing this new album from Manchester based Sludge lords Nxmad was like an air raid siren going off in my head. This album awoke me from an apathetic slumber, grabbed me by the collar, and shook me awake. Not many records do that, but “The Second Fall” was a real dose of cherry napalm flavoured Red Bull.
They used to be called Nomad; they changed their name a bit after a hiatus, and they’re part of the mighty APF Records tribe. Their last album, “Feral”, was out in 2019 and was a scalding hot mix of Sludge and Hardcore. Now we have a new offering from Drian Nash (vocals), Lewis Atkinson (guitar), John Carberry (bass), and Liam MacBeath (drums). If you haven’t guessed yet, I love it.
Right from the crushing opening riff of ‘Mens Rea’, this album stands up and demands attention. That right there is one of the most exciting, adrenaline-pumping tracks I’ve heard in a good long while. MacBeath’s drums power an unforgiving pace throughout, and are impressively militaristic on ‘Amber’.
‘Domicide’ shovels up some gritty doom, with Lewis’ abrasive guitar erupting into vicious metal. ‘Vertigo’ and ‘Transmissions’ give us more crusty yet lethally precise riffing, with Carberry’s bass consistently gluing it all together. Final track ‘Actus Reus’ is the longest and most varied track, slower in parts and showcasing the passionate yet unrelenting vocal talents of Nash. When it explodes, this track is as incendiary as any other here.
“The Second Fall” is a genuinely thrilling listen. I hope you’ll forgive my usual enthusiasm here, for a record that has really surprised me and made a massive impression. “The Second Fall” hasn’t been off my stereo for two whole weeks – it really has injected some vitality into my jaded, frowning countenance. Definitely an album to pick up on vinyl, and don’t be surprised to see Nxmad on the 2026 Best Of list.
TRACKLISTING:
01. Mens Rea
02. Amber
03. Domicide
04. Vertigo
05. Bridge Burner
06. Transmissions
07. Actus Reus
LINKS:
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