“Kompromat” is an album built on reinvention. Earlier material is dismantled and rebuilt with artistic intent that reshapes the band’s entire work. The title itself is KGB slang for compromising material used to manipulate or rewrite narratives. Instead of preserving their past, NERVED has deconstructed it, asking what these songs could become once freed from their original constraints.
The roster of guest artists reflects the scale of that ambition. Leading Swedish metal voices like Jens Westin (Corroded), Zak Tell (Clawfinger) and Richard Sjunnesson (The Unguided) bring distinct vocal identities from across the heavy‑music spectrum, while guitarists such as Pontus Norberg (Hammerfall) and Thobbe Englund (Sabaton) add both precision and personality.
The album consists of 9 songs for 32 minutes of music. The first track Don't Lie opens with an Industrial mood and with a heavy riff (what a sound!). The vocals are punchy, energetic, and catchy at the same time. A great opener and a great start. Takin' Its Tall has a Punk Rock attitude with the usual quality on vocals, with a super catchy chorus. Great drumming and slower pace for Set Fire to The Rain, intense and epic with a fantastic chorus. This is probably my favourite song on the album, if I have to choose one.
Track number four, Disclosure, delivers head-banging energy, and the switch between vocals is fantastic (great guitar solo too), and I love the energy and the drumming on the following I Rise. After an intro, The Lid starts with a "Dance" vibe to go back to a heavy mood very soon, with a very interesting contrast between the heavy music and the melodic vocals, very inspired. Another intro brings us to the last track, Scars, with a heavy and full arrangement and with another fantastic chorus, amazingly performed and inspired. There is an unexpected rap part in the second half of the song, overall very interesting and catchy.