We’re calling this a “video premiere,” but really this is just our way of introducing you to Nefarious‘s new vocalist, Sean Rivera. The thrash legends in this Bay Area outfit—guitarists Rick Hunolt and Doug Piercy, bassist Tom Gears and drummer Will Carroll—have added some youth to their wizened lineup. Rivera has spent the last several years fronting Coffin Hunters and now steps into the position previously held by Hirax vocalist Katon W. DePena.
“We wanted someone who could be in the room with us — creating, rehearsing, and ready to play,” says Piercy of the change in singers. “It’s hard to get tight as a band when [your vocalist] can’t rehearse on the regular. Long-distance situations can get complicated when there’s simply no communication.”
“When Doug and Rick reached out to me and asked if I wanted to try out for Nefarious, I was excited and nervous,” Rivera admits. “Everyone in the band are fantastic players and have such seasoned musical histories, and stepping into that felt really significant to me. I thought the songs were great and knew it was a project I wanted to be a part of. They’re all really great people and have been super supportive. I feel really fortunate to be given this opportunity and I’m really excited for all we can accomplish together on the road ahead!”
The newly solidified lineup would indicate that Nefarious intend to build on the excitement their out-of-nowhere debut, Addicted to Power, generated. This isn’t just a one-off supergroup; they want to keep the momentum going, and they feel like they have the right person fronting the band. Though they don’t have new music recorded with Rivera yet, for our video premiere, he added his vocals to “Day After,” a track from Addicted.
“Sean has brought Nefarious to the next level,” says Hunolt. “The metal gods gave us a true musical wizard. Not only is [Sean] an amazing singer, and absolute stellar musician (guitar, keyboards), he is an amazing human to work with and I can’t wait for you all to hear this man sing.”
Nefarious will play their first show with Sean Rivera at the DNA Lounge in San Francisco on Saturday, January 3 (purchase tickets here). More shows are to be announced, followed by a full European tour in August/September 2026, kicking off at the legendary Alcatraz Festival in Belgium.
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