Bay Area thrashers Nefarious step into this week’s Meet The Band spotlight. Made up of veteran musicians whose resumes include groups such as Hirax, Death Angel, Exodus, Heathen and Blind Illusion, their debut album is Addicted To Power. Drummer Will Carroll and guitarist Doug Piercy introduce us to their band.
Chad Bowar: How did the lineup come together?
Will Carroll: After Doug and Tom (Gears, bass) left Blind Illusion they wanted to continue working together. Initially Doug wanted to record a solo album and hit me up about laying down some drums on the material he had. A couple of songs turned into an album’s worth of material. At that time I had a lot of free time what with Mark Osegueda doing the Kerry King thing. Death Angel were going to have some down time so it just made sense to take this “solo” project to the next level and make it a band. Once that was established Doug reached out to Rick (Hunolt, guitar) and Katon (De Pena, vocals) and all pieces fell into place.
How do you feel about the term “supergroup,” which is used to describe Nefarious?
Will Carroll: I think it’s a really cheesy and tacky label personally, but I understand why the term is used.
Doug Piercy: I think it’s a catchphrase for a lot of seasoned musicians instead of been around for a while that choose to work together and do something either tour or a record. Not a big fan of it, but what are you gonna do?
Describe the songwriting process for Addicted To Power.
Will Carroll: – Like I mentioned before Doug had a bunch of songs, some new some old and wanted to record them. He would send me files that I would listen to for a few days and then we’d get together at my studio in SF and we’d hammer them out. Once we were both satisfied with what we had we’d book studio time at Tom Gears’s studio in Oakland and I’d track my drums to the pre-existing guitar tracks Doug had already laid down. From there everyone else recorded their parts at different times and locales.
Doug Piercy: I would come up with some riffs while streaming some show on Amazon on the couch, and Rick will send me riff ideas by email and then I would go in the studio and figure out a click map utilizing the ideas and presto you have a song. In ProTools, it’s really easy to cut and paste and play around with arrangements all while utilizing the click track. And then I would take it to Will and we jam on the tracks in a studio and finalize the arrangement.
What will be your strongest memory of the recording of the album?
Will Carroll: – My strongest memory? Probably when Tom and I had too much to drink during one of Katon’s vocal sessions and basically derailed the whole process that day. Actually that’s not true. Katon was able to get the work done but we certainly didn’t make it easy for him.
Doug Piercy: For me, it’s the things that happen instantly and are awesome. Like first take solos or vocal tracks, or when I take the tracks to Will and he will come up with some amazing drum pattern that I never in my wildest dreams would’ve thought of.
What was the biggest challenge in its creation?
Will Carroll: For me it was getting the proper drum sounds, which was a challenge. We wanted the drums to sound natural and “old school” if you will. Drums on a lot of modern metal recordings sound ridiculous to me. Completely synthetic. No soul or human element whatsoever. And a lot of overplaying is going on nowadays. I think we achieved the classic vibe but the problem was the room I tracked in. It’s very small and “dead” sounding so it was hard for my drums to sound big and cracking. I’m pleased with the outcome but for album number two I’d like to track in a larger room.
Doug Piercy: We got into a bit of a time crunch that needed to be managed to get all the songs done on time. But I’m used to that by preparing race cars early for test day so it’s nothing to me. You just work a little bit longer and apply discipline. Finish everything up as early as possible. Then the time left is for fine-tuning.
How would you characterize its style/sound?
Will Carroll: Melodic Bay Area thrash.
What lyrical topics do you cover?
Will Carroll: Doug writes the lion’s share of the lyrics and they lean heavily on the state of the world we currently live in without taking sides (too much). I’ve seen some backlash from Trumpsters claiming our lyrics are “leftist” propaganda. That’s not the case at all. The lyrics are a neutral view of the shit storm we’re currently living in. If it doesn’t fit someone’s political narrative then fuck ‘em. Listen to Kid Rock then.
Doug Piercy: This is the first time I’ve actually wrote pretty much all of the lyrics for an album. The topics range from science fiction to science fact, addressing conspiracy theories, heavy metal, narcissism, horror, the toils of war, separation of church and state.
You filmed a few videos for the album. Which was your favorite shoot?
Will Carroll: Personally the first video (“One Nation Enslaved”) is my favorite and that seems to be the case with most folks I talk to and the comments I see online. It’s so honest, fun and real. Five dudes jamming in a room (my studio) adorned with metal posters and fan stuff in the background. There’s a great energy to it. It was the best received video of the three.
Doug Piercy: I think “One Nation Enslaved” was probably the most fun because it was so easy and we just had to fix a couple of parts. Super honest and raw.
Do you enjoy filming videos, or are they a necessary evil for promotion?
Will Carroll: I do not and yes it’s an absolute necessary evil. But that’s the age we live in. If a band doesn’t have constant content constantly ramming down people’s throats then they’re forgotten. I don’t like it but that’s just how the world is now.
Doug Piercy: I very much enjoy doing videos. I get all of the cinematography and setting up the shots, and going for really wild production techniques. George Anderson, who helped us with the video production is great to work with. He’s almost as nutty as I am with going for it; trying to get the impossible.
What are your goals and expectations for the album?
Will Carroll: Grammy award baby! No, joking. I’d like to see this album get Nefarious on to the live world stage and for people to look at us beyond just being a “super group.”
Doug Piercy: For me it’s the most important thing is to come over with a good solid, creative body of music. That people like it is a bonus.
What has been the reaction to the material you’ve released so far?
Will Carroll: Overwhelmingly positive. Way beyond our expectations.
Doug Piercy: I think the biggest reaction was when we burst on the scene with the first video “One Nation Enslaved.” We managed to keep a tight wrap on the entire project so when the band broke out, it was a big surprise for everyone. And the response was very positive!
What are your upcoming show/tour plans?
Will Carroll: Well, we have our album release show on July 19th at the DNA Lounge in SF. I think we’re testing the waters with this gig to see how we work together as a live unit. If things go as well as planned we will be taking this show on the road.
You’ve been doing this a long time, and have seen the ebbs and flows of the popularity of metal over the years. How do you see metal’s popularity/appeal in 2025 and going forward?
Will Carroll: I just got home from a 4 1/2 week tour of Europe with Death Angel and let me tell you metal is as popular as it’s ever been out there. People were showing up to gigs/festivals in record numbers so it’s alive and well in Europe. I think things are on the upswing over here in the States as well with more Euro style festivals popping up all over the place. I think the future of Metal is looking bright.
What are some of your non-musical interests and hobbies?
Will Carroll: Playing disc and traditional golf. Collecting comic books. Going on hikes. I read A LOT. Hanging with my cats. Collecting records and dj’ing local Metal shows (I know that’s musical). I’m a former rabid Star Wars collector so that takes up a bit of my time as well.
Doug Piercy: I’m into endurance racing and restoration of Porsches. Driving them all over California is quite awesome.
What’s currently in your musical heavy rotation?
Will Carroll: The last five albums I listened to were Nefarious – Addicted To Power test pressing, Wild Dogs – Wild Dogs, DBC – Dead Brain Cells, Metallica – Ride The Lightning and Coroner – R.I.P.
Doug Piercy: I have been listening to Havok, the new Destruction, and the usual melee of old-school metal. I love checking out the South American bands.
Anything else you’d like to mention or promote?
Yes, order your vinyl copy of Addicted To Power at hectic.com and visit our site at www.sanfran666co.com. Shameless self promotion here. Or if you want the CD and Nefarious merch visit the band site at NefariousBand.com
(interview published July 19, 2025)
Watch Nefarious – “One Nation Enslaved” Video
