[1] The group was formed in 2009 by frontman Todd Jones, formerly the guitarist of Terror,[2] along with bassist John Gianelli and drummer Taylor Young of Disgrace.

This coincided with the announcement that their fourth studio album would be titled Every Bridge Burning, and that their lineup now included guitarist Shelby Lermo of Ulthar, drummer Carlos Cruz of Warbringer and bassist Andrew Solis of Despise You and Apparition.

[17][18] In a review of Abandon All Life, Pitchfork wrote that "Nails cram their brief but constantly shifting tracks with a chaotic, complex blend of hardcore punk, D-beat, grindcore, powerviolence, and death metal.

"[19] The band have cited influences including Agnostic Front,[14] Discharge, Slayer, Crossed Out[20] and Sheer Terror.

[21] In a 2013 interview for Invisible Oranges, Todd Jones named crust punk, death metal, and Japanese hardcore as the band's foremost musical influences.