Get ready for a heavy metal journey with Nefarious, a band that's making waves and shaking up the scene!
The Power of Nefarious: A New Era Begins
Nefarious, featuring the legendary Rick Hunolt (EXODUS, DIEHUMANE) and Doug Piercy (HEATHEN, ANVIL CHORUS) on guitars, along with Tom Gears (BLIND ILLUSION, ANCIENT MARINER) on bass and Will Carroll (DEATH ANGEL) on drums, recently took the stage with their new vocalist, Sean Rivera. This dynamic lineup performed their first concert together on January 3rd at the iconic DNA Lounge in San Francisco, and the energy was electric!
A New Voice, A New Chapter
Rivera stepped into the spotlight last fall, replacing Katon W. De Pena (HIRAX), who had lent his powerful vocals to Nefarious's debut album, "Addicted to Power." When asked about the new addition, Piercy shared, "We wanted someone who could be an integral part of the band, someone we could create and rehearse with regularly. The Bay Area thrives on this collaborative energy, and now we've found it! Long-distance situations can be tricky, but with Rivera, we've got it all."
Hunolt couldn't agree more, praising Rivera as a "true musical wizard." He added, "Sean has taken Nefarious to the next level. He's an incredible singer, an exceptional musician, and an absolute pleasure to work with. Get ready to be blown away by his vocals!"
Rivera himself expressed his excitement and nerves, saying, "Stepping into this band with such talented and experienced musicians was a big deal for me. But after listening to the album, I knew I wanted to be a part of this project. I'm grateful they welcomed me, and I'm stoked to be a part of this journey!"
The Future of Nefarious
Nefarious is set to embark on a full European tour in August/September 2026, kicking off at the legendary Alcatraz festival in Belgium. This tour promises to be a showcase of their unique sound and powerful presence.
A Change of Guard
De Pena, reflecting on his time with Nefarious, shared, "It was an awesome experience. I'm proud of the record we made, and the show we played was incredible. But my heart lies with HIRAX, my band for 40 years. I wish Nefarious all the best; they're a great band with incredible musicians."
Carroll, discussing the singer switch, revealed, "Things just didn't work out with Katon. HIRAX is busy touring, and communication became an issue. He stopped talking to us for months, so we had to move on and bring in Sean."
Unveiling the New Vocalist
Will Carroll introduced Rivera, saying, "He's the vocalist for COFFIN HUNTERS, a traditional heavy metal band. Rick discovered him at one of their shows, and we knew we had to have him."
A Musical Journey
Katon shared the story of how Nefarious came together, revealing it started as a solo project for Doug Piercy. "We all ran into each other over the years, and the timing felt right. We played some shows together, and that's when we really noticed each other's talent. We all love writing music, and that's what keeps us motivated."
When asked about their musical influences, Katon said, "We listen to a wide range of music. People might be surprised, but we grew up on DEEP PURPLE and early SCORPIONS. We love Uli John Roth, BLACK SABBATH, and THIN LIZZY. Our sound is a blend of early thrash metal and heavy metal influences, with a touch of classical and jazz. You'll hear elements of EXODUS and HIRAX, but we're not trying to be like other bands. We're staying true to our roots while incorporating modern sounds."
The Sound of Nefarious
Describing their unique sound, Katon said, "We're a blend of early thrash metal and heavy metal, with harmonies inspired by bands like [IRON] MAIDEN and THIN LIZZY. We're not trying to be commercial, but our songs are memorable."
The music for "Addicted to Power" was recorded at Subterranean Studio in Oakland and Pyramid Studio in San Francisco, and mixed by Damien Rasmussen of Smoke and Mirrors Productions.
A Night to Remember
Nefarious's first show with Rivera was a success, with fans raving about their powerful performance. One fan, Walter Morgan, shared his excitement on social media, "Nefarious ripped up the Bay Area last night! Their new singer, Sean Rivera, is incredible!"
So, what do you think? Are you ready to dive into the world of Nefarious and their unique brand of heavy metal? The stage is set, and the journey begins!
Comment and share your thoughts! Do you think Nefarious has what it takes to make a lasting impact on the metal scene?
