No Return: Nukem and the Sound of Underground Rage

For Nukem (@nukemdub), bass music has never been about playing it safe. Built from equal parts tearout dubstep and hardcore metal influence, the project thrives in chaos, pressure, and movement. His sets are designed to feel physical, balancing brutal sound design with the kind of raw energy that turns smaller venues into full-scale pit environments.

Ahead of NO RETURN at Santos Bar, we talked with Nukem about underground culture, the Gulf Coast bass scene, and why New Orleans has become a home for heavier sounds.

NOLA EDM: For people discovering you through No Return, who is Nukem? Tell us about your background, your sound, and what you bring to the dance floor.

Nukem: Nukem is a project built off my love for the heavier side of dubstep (also known as tearout) and my love for the hardcore metal scene. The sound itself I believe bridges that gap between the two different worlds of music and blends songs in a way where people from both the edm scene and the metal scene can coexist under one roof. My goal is to channel raw emotion and rage through sound and allow people on the dance floor to let loose through the art of moshing.

NOLA EDM: Your sets are known for heavy, high-impact energy. What are you bringing to No Return?

Nukem: Raw and gritty music, a set choreographed to instill rage upon the masses and sounds that rupture eardrums. I bring the sounds of the underground!

NOLA EDM: Coming from the Gulf Coast scene, how does your sound translate when you play in New Orleans?

Nukem: I feel as if it’s more welcomed in New Orleans! The New Orleans underground scene has been nothing but welcoming and supportive and I’m very thankful for the support from the Nola scene! The gulf coast side of edm is still pretty hesitant on booking tearout djs but we’re working on that!

NOLA EDM: Tearout and heavy bass hit differently in smaller rooms. How do you approach that kind of environment

Nukem: The smaller the room the more intimate the pit gets! I don’t care how big or small the room I play in I make sure that the pit stays open!

NOLA EDM: What do you want people to feel physically when your set is at its peak?

Nukem: Rage

NOLA EDM:  Looking ahead through the rest of 2026, what releases, shows, or collaborations should people keep an eye out for from you?

Nukem: I’ve been the production grind so please stay tuned in this year for that! My goal is to have my first nukem track out sometime this year so we’re working on making that happen! 

The next show I’ve got lined up is The Resurrection in New Orleans so please come show Supoort!