Nukem was formed in June 2012 by guitarist/vocalist Steve Brogden and bassist Don Lauder, with the addition of drummer Norm Leggio and Cage guitarist Dave Garcia, who later left the group.
After opening shows for acts like LeatherWolf, Halcyon Way, Fozzy, Metal Church, Saxon, and Kreator, they recorded a demo, followed by a full-length album in September 2016, The Unholy Trinity, released via Sleaszy Rider Records from Greece.
Recorded at Back to Bassics Studio, guests include Laura Christine (Warface, Zimmers Hole), Jimmy Durkin (Dark Angel), Craig Locicero (Forbidden), Reece Scruggs (Havok), Cassie Morris (Unicorn Death), Rob Jones (Weight of the Sun), and Justin Hendrick (No Name Gang). The album's first single "Evelyn's Awakening" was supported with a video produced by local filmmaker Rich Varvell.
In February 2018, they won a Tijuana battle of the bands, earning an opening slot at Fronterizo Fest on April 27-29 at Estadio Caliente, formerly Agua Caliente Racetrack, with headliners including the Scorpions, Megadeth, Sepultura, and Suicidal Tendencies.
The group opened for Death tribute band Death To All for their 2023 national tour celebrating the 30th anniversary of Death's album Individual Thought Patterns, on a bill that also included Suffocation.
The signed with the label Redefining Darkness, who released a new single in early 2026, "Random Acts of Violence," which also features a guest guitar solo from Russ Tippins of the band Satan. The track was a preview of the band's sophomore full-length The Grave Remains, which came with a video for the album track "Tactics of Terror," that bassist Don Lauder says is about "The People vs The Government. Both sides fully believing that they’re the 'good guys,' both sides fully invested in the power struggle of the world."
The single for "Into the Kill Zone" features Rob Cavestany of Death Angel. According to guitarist Steve Brogden, "This was one of the earlier songs we had written for this album and it came together rather fast and easy. My original working title for it was 'DA01' because I felt it had some heavy influence from our brothers in Death Angel, so it only felt fitting to ask Rob Cavestany to lay down a guest solo...the song's actual topic came a book of the same name written by a retired police officer. He interviewed other officers on the weight of drawing their weapon in the line of duty and having to make split second decisions that could mean life or death to the officer or the ones they are sworn to protect. A pretty heavy topic that I don’t feel is touched on very often."