Nuken 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.