ASSERT seem to have been a name known in the UK Hardcore world for quite some time now. Anyone who remembers Household Name before they started putting out release after release of Ska-Punk will probably have heard ASSERT on either of their 7″s, the “Left Opposition” album, or the couple of UKHC compilations they put out around 1997/98.
This certainly is 15 tracks of macho sounding stuff, easily comparable to bands like CRO-MAGS and D.R.I, ASSERT play an old school influenced blend of hardcore thrash, with aggressive vocals and a “take no prisoners” approach to their music. I suppose two words to describe their music would be Political and Proud.
The opening track “Lean on Me” has to be one of those best openers I’ve heard in some time. It grabs you straight by the balls, and throws you into a frenzy before slightly calming down for one hell of a catchy guitar-line and mob vocals in the chorus.
“1,2,3,4 GO!” is about as fast as they go, with some blast-beat action starting the song before thrusting into some speedy hardcore and chanted “1,2,3,4 GO!” chorus followed by a great guitar solo.
The whole album continues in much the same way. The energy levels remain high and the music is as danceable as it gets. If this doesn’t get you jumping around your room you’re obviously sat on a tube of superglue.
“Never Forget You” is dedicated to Matty Roberts, and ASSERT‘s old drummer, Chris Burleigh who tragically died a few years ago. The song manages to remain Melodic while being a frantic slice of thrash, something I really like to hear.
There is even a bit of a metal sound creeping into “Start A War” and “Hang ‘Em High” with yet again, some great guitar work. “You Set Me On Fire” sounds a bit like the kind of stuff Napalm Death are famous for – 1000mph, deeply shouted 15 second numbers – this really is quite a diverse album within the hardcore and thrash realm. In fact, I’d go as far to say that this album has pretty much everything you want to hear in a hardcore album. Aggression, Passion, a sense of urgency, and a message. It’s fast, but it has some great melodic parts so I can’t see it failing to please. Hunt it down and you‘ll find an album you‘ll certainly get a lot of listening from.
www.assertkickass.co.uk
Phil