It's possible you won't be familiar with the work of Nuclear Assault, whose refusal to compromise has denied them the more mainstream acceptance enjoyed by Metallica or Anthrax.

Yet Anthrax is the band in which bassist Danny Lilker began his career before being kicked out, according to legend, for being "too hardcore". Yet to thrash metal aficionados, the band are as big as it gets, with 12 albums to date and a career stretching back over 20 years.

The band hail from New York, and it's rare for UK fans to be able to catch a live show - on their last visit to these shores, the group played only London and Sheffield.

But now, in a move that will have local metal fans howling in anticipation, Nuke are coming to Brighton to headline the first birthday party of dedicated rock venue The Engine Room.

"Nuclear Assault are absolute legends," says The Engine Room's Neil Campbell, "and I'm so pleased to have them coming to play our first birthday. This is a band who have played Wembley with Metallica, so to have them playing here is a total coup."

Drummer Glen Evans, insists that the show's energy level will not be reduced for the more intimate venue. "In our career we've played in front of very large crowds and small crowds," he says. "To me it doesn't make any difference because I always put out 100 per cent, and I'm drenched either way."

"There were only a handful of bands like Nuke back in the Eighties," he continues, "and we had to work real hard to get a larger status in the industry.

"Now there are so many bands, it's sickening. It doesn't matter though because Nuke have toured half their adult life. We're pros at it."

Evans attributes their longevity partly to the music - "each member is extremely talented, we don't sound like every other metal band" - and partly to the fact that the band are "nice guys" without excessive egos.

"It's like being married. You're together all the time and you better get along or you're doomed from the start."

That said, it hasn't been a continuous run for Nuke. Evans admits the band have split "a few times" along the way. They reformed early this millennium, releasing live album Alive Again in 2003, while Third World Genocide, their first studio album for a decade, is scheduled for release in late August.

Established followers old and new - apparently they've attracted "a whole new generation of fans" - will no doubt be flocking to the Engine Room. And, lest anyone remain unconvinced, Evans issues one final call to arms: "Expect to be blown away at this show. The band is hot!"

Starts 6.30pm, tickets cost £10. Call 01273 728999.