By Christopher Crone
The DNA Lounge became ground zero for a full-scale thrash detonation, proving once and for all that Bay Area metal isn’t living on nostalgia—it’s sharpening its blades. What unfolded wasn’t just a stacked lineup, but a generational statement: rising forces and seasoned veterans colliding in sweat, speed, and pure aggression. From first riff to final breakdown, the night was loud, unforgiving, and unmistakably Bay Area. This was thrash the way it’s meant to be experienced—up close, unfiltered, and dangerous.
Kicking off the night, Parabellum made their first-ever San Francisco Bay Area appearance and immediately felt right at home. Their set was sharp, aggressive, and unapologetically thrash, locking into the room from the first riff. They were a crushing “testament” to everything the Bay Area has ever stood for—channeling the ferocity of the legends Testament, Exodus, and Death Angel, while proving that Bay Area Thrash refuses to age, soften, or slow down. Their songs hit like a steel-toothed reminder that the old-school blueprint still fuels the next generation, and Parabellum is carrying that torch with zero hesitation. Keep your eyes locked on them as they continue to push, support, and elevate the Bay Area’s rising thrash battalion.
Next up, Trencher, gritty Speed Metal from Oakland, California, wasted zero time cranking the room into top‑gear chaos. Their tight, unsparing riffs and breakneck pacing set off a pit that looked like it came straight out of a mid‑’80s flyer with modern ferocity added. The band didn’t just play, they poured sweat and grit into every song, and the crowd ate it up. By the time their set closed, the floor was already a dangerous, glorious mess.
San Diego’s own Nukem hit the stage like they had something to prove and wasted zero time doing it. The band kept the momentum at full throttle, delivering a blistering set that was both savage and surgical. Their riffs came in sharp and fast, cutting through the room with precision while the rhythm section hammered out punishing grooves that kept the pit in constant rotation.
Nukem’s stage presence matched the intensity of their sound—focused, aggressive, and all business. No gimmicks, no filler, just straight‑ahead thrash delivered with intent. The crowd fed off it immediately, and the band pushed right back, driving each song harder than the last. For a band carrying the San Diego thrash banner, Nukem made it clear they’re not just representing—they’re leading the charge.
Headliners Nefarious took command of the DNA Lounge and reminded everyone why Bay Area thrash still carries serious weight. From the opening notes, the band was locked in and firing on all cylinders. New vocalist Sean Rivera was an absolute revelation—his voice carried the raw aggression thrash demands while holding surprising range and command. Rivera fit like he’d been in the band for years, injecting fresh energy without losing any of Nefarious’s established badass identity. The setlist blended classic aggression with renewed fire, showing a band that’s evolving without compromise. Nefarious kicked their set off swinging with Day After, immediately setting the tone, and closed the night in full scorched-earth fashion with One Nation, leaving nothing standing. The crowd responded loudly and constantly, feeding the band’s momentum. By the final song, Nefarious had turned the night into a full-scale Bay Area thrash celebration.
In Short: the DNA Lounge didn’t just host a concert—it hosted a full-scale Bay Area thrash assault. Parabellum marked themselves as a force to watch, Trencher and Nukem kept the fire stoked, and Nefarious—with Sean Rivera front and center—brought the house down.
On a personal note: with no official photo pit, the night became a full-contact assignment—camera aimed forward while the real pit churned roughly three feet behind me. That meant shooting with one eye on the band and one eye on incoming chaos. I took a few hits but managed to stay upright, no small feat with this level of thrash energy detonating around me. Bruised, battered, but still standing, I survived to shoot photographs another day—exactly how a proper Bay Area thrash show should end.
Categories: Concert Photography, Music, Nefarious, News, Parabellum
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