Rock band Nerve Star will see their White Hot album released out into the wild as of 27th February 2026, but ahead of that comes their debut single, that features a couple of covers on each side that are going to be new to many listeners.
“The A-side of our first single and a cover of the 1985 US band Axtion metal track that doesn’t slow down for one second,” declared Nerve Star about ‘Precious Rock’, while on the flipside listeners will hear ‘Hard Rain Falling’ that’s “a cover of the 1970 proto metal track by Sir Lord Baltimore.”
Nerve Star began back in 2021, they played 70s classic hard rock, 80s heavy metal by way of the NWOHM and a little punk got thrown in the mix. Their line-up adapted, bringing in members from far afield and that alongside the covid shutdown meant rehearsing side-by -side wasn’t possible. Despite which, they started home demoing ten songs.
By 2023, they established the line-up of Joss Thorley (Bass guitar) from Manchester, Maidenhead’s Chris Billinghurst (Guitars), vocalist Matt Oakman from the south of England, and from further afield another guitarist in Janne Stark whose cv lists him recording with several bands and producing them too, and notably working with the Sweden Rock All Star Band, who also recommended Peter ‘Trumpeter’ Svensson who now plays drums and percussion with the band.
In Spring 2024, with demos completed, they started full recording sessions with the Swedish part of the group at Stark’s studio, and the British division at RAW Studios in the UK with recording/mixing Rasmus Bom Andersen (Diamond Head) seeing them through to 2025 and 13 tracks being completed. The record eventually Mastered by Andy ‘Hippy’ Baldwin (Oasis/Blur) at Metropolis, London, the whole thing produced by band manager Mike Dixon (whose own cv stretches as far back as involvement on Thin Lizzy UK Tour of 1975 and the Sensational Alex Harvey Band’s one the following year).
However, before they put the record to bed, Nerve Star asked one of their heroes to contribute. Tony Bourge, founding member and guitarist with Welsh heavy metal band Budgie, whose songs have been covered by the likes of Metallica and Van Halen, among others – Fortunately, Bourge had worked with Stake before on several Bandolier Kings album so a connection had already been made.
The track chosen was one written and recorded by Bourge for his subsequent band, Tredegar, and was ‘Richard III’ – The Nerve Star rendition closing their album as an epic featuring three lead guitarists.
White Hot will be available as an eight track vinyl LP (8 tracks), and with 13 tracks on CD and digital/streaming editions, distributed in the UK by RSK Entertainment via Proper Distribution. Thereafter, the band will tour the UK with festival appearances in Europe to follow.
