Nerve was a Dutch industrial‑metal duo founded in 1992 by Tom Holkenborg and Phil Mills, both of whom played all instruments on their recordings. Their debut single "Dedalus" and the 1994 EP Fragments built early momentum, and the performance at Eurosonic‑Noorderslag in Groningen that same year marked a breakthrough that led to festival appearances across Europe. Nerve released the album Cancer of Choice in 1993 on Play It Again Sam, followed by Blood & Gold in 1995, produced with Randall Wine and mixed by Daniel B. of Front 242. The group received praise from Front 242 and Nine Inch Nails, though a proposed US deal with TVT fell through. In 1996, the duo split; Holkenborg later adopted the stage name Junkie XL.
