“No Gods” is the perfect drink coaster for 2021. It’s just what you needed, regardless of what you ordered. From track to track, Nothing Sacred’s music surges forward like a freight train, cymbal bell sounding its approach, trucks balanced on one rail of Thrash, one rail of traditional Metal.

Think latter-day Helstar, latter-day Diamond Head, Manimal, Grim Reaper, Metal Church, Overkill, 90s-era Megadeth, and post-70s Black Sabbath, always Sabbath. The guitar sound is gritty and bloody-knuckled, whether it’s single notes or chugging power chords. They sometimes flirt with classic Maiden-ish hammer-on/pull-off riffs - - especially in “Coldblack,” but more often they deliver E-string-based power chords and distantly Bluesy riffs. Vocalist James Davies brings a workmanlike approach, complementing the music and never overshadowing. Karl Lean’s bass sometimes signals D.D. Verni. Sham’s drums work the tunes without going to Lombardo areas. Man, does he like that cymbal bell.
Their “no frills, no nonsense” approach delivers 10 Hard bangers, all under 5 ½ minutes. Some tempo changes between the tracks, but not many. No ballads, no deviations from the Nothing Sacred gameplan. The power never transmutes.
Highlights: “Stoner,” (not really a Stoner Metal song at all), “Final Crime,” Coldblack.”
Another strong release from an Aussie Metal band!