THE BAND

NUSE, the hard-hitting metal act from Hillsborough, NJ, features lead vocalist/guitarist Mike LaMastro, bassist Eric Mangual, drummer Bob Mangual, and guitarist Mike Wilday. Formed in the '90s, NUSE rose with early EPs before debuting Hung Well in 2002 (re-released 2005 via No Joke Records). They followed up in 2008 with Forever Starts Today, delivering the underground smash “Beat to Death.”

National breakthrough in 2012 came with All American Beat Down—featuring “Breath & Fluid,” “War Face,” and “Free Tattoos.” Engineered by Obie O’Brien and mastered by Ryan Smith (Sterling Sound, NYC), the album charted in key U.S. markets (#5 Kansas City, #8 New York, #7 Philly, #5 Hawaii) and streamed globally on Pandora, Spotify, iTunes, Amazon, and more.

In 2018, The Pain Collection hit their career peak. The single “Top Hat Man” broke into the Top 10 in NY and Philly, and the album remains their most acclaimed pieces of work.

Though originally a quintet, NUSE refined into a power trio in 1998. In October 2020 they expanded to a quartet with guitarist Mike Wilday Jr. (formerly of Ixion Lux, Spin Psykill), adding rich harmonies and intensified leads. This evolution shines on 2021’s Evilution – Vol. I, featuring acclaimed singles “Swept Away” and “Scoundrel,” which earned global awards and recognition.

Highlights from “Evilution I” release to present:

• Celebrated by fans and industry alike as a “thrash metal outfit with three decades of experience,” regularly featured on Jersey Rock radio (95.9 FM) slots throughout 2021–25
• Powerful Music Video: The 2021 single “Swept Away” (from Evilution – Vol. I) featured actor Ronnie Marmo and was praised locally as “powerful!” — even Megaforce Records founder Jon Zazula spotlighted its impact. “Swept Away” won “Best Independent Music Video” for International Film Festival, NYC.
• “Malibu” single streamed in 57 countries to date since May 2025 release. In an era where streaming drives over 80% of U.S. music consumption and Spotify reaches ~239 million paid users globally, their active presence across major platforms ensures they stay plugged into the metal mainstream.
• NUSE has maintained a robust and growing social media presence—engaging audiences worldwide via Spotify for Artists, Apple Music, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube—resulting in multiple single premieres and viral fan interaction campaigns.
• Social media reflects “organic” activity and Nuse has never engaged in “robot”, “list acquisitions” or any fake account followers.
• Their YouTube channel continues to drop music video content and behind-the-scenes footage, consistently drawing strong viewer engagement and shares globally.
• Most recently, the band confirmed they're finishing Evilution – Vol. II, targeting a Summer 2025 release.

Notable Tours & Shared Bills:
They’ve opened for heavyweights such as Bio-Hazard, Cannibal Corpse, Clutch, Soulfly, Entombed, M.O.D., Mercyful Fate, The Misfits, Napalm Death, Nuclear Assault, Overkill, Propain, Scar the Martyr (Joey Jordison), Shattered Sun, Testament, Type O Negative—and continue to appear at significant rock arenas and festivals.