Assault - (2nd s/t)

Its a little confusing, as this album is sometimes listed as Assault 2nd, Breakthrough, or Assault (i.e. s/t). The reason being that there was already a self titled cd released on HG fact records that featured a different vocalist. In any case, this album released in 2004 in the U.S., is the second one released by the record label, there also exists a 7" entitled Martyrdom, and I believe another Japanese only released EP, that I do not own and no little about. Assault is a Tokyo, Japan hardcore band, that appear to no longer exist (as the broken translation over at HG fact seems to indicate that the band disbanded in '05/'06 and unfortunately because the bass player had died in an accident). I was lucky enough, many years back, to see Assault on their U.S. tour with From Ashes Rise.

Their music is fast, but not chaotic, hardcore punk, with strong bass lines running under thrashy (the punk variety) sounding drums and sometimes discordant guitar. The vocals are fairly consistent throughout, hoarse yells, with some harmony during choruses, and occasional backing vocal supports. The vocals sit a bit back in the mix, but not bad enough to be hidden by the rest of the music. Lyrics are mostly Japanese with some English mixed in the choruses of songs. This record sits at about 22:30 minutes wrapped up in six songs, typically under three and half minutes each, with the exception of, "The end of silence" which ends up at 7:36 and is one of the strongest songs within the record, as a pounding bass and drum beat continues almost endlessly while guitar soloing builds throughout the second half of the song.


Assault - "Stay Away"

"Stay Away" starts out paced by driving drumming and vocals, its only seconds before the chorus and some limited vocal harmonizing takes place. The guitar leads into a shift, slowing down a bit while finding a nice groove. The bass guitar really becomes pronounced at this point accenting the beat along with the drumming. Not too long and the pace picks up again, a strong guitar solo takes us into returning vocals and finally chorus closing out the song. 

It looks as though Hardcore Holocaust Records still has this and the first cd available through their distro. HG Fact records also appears to carry the cd in Japan.