Assück “Anticapital” CD

Though fairly "legendary", I feel like Florida's Assück doesn't get talked about all that much anymore in terms of influence, or just how incredible they were in general, etc. Perhaps it's because so few grindcore bands have since matched their overall quality in terms of riffs/songwriting, or truly touched upon their otherwise brilliant fusion of death metal and hardcore/grind, I don't know. Admittedly I had forgotten just how killer this material was myself until earlier this week, when I pulled out their discs for the first time in years to throw 'em on the ol' iPod. "Anticapital" in particular (released on CD with bonus tracks in 1992 by Sound Pollution) really stands the test of time as an absolute masterpiece of sheer socio-political brutality. The album itself tears through 17 tracks in just 15 minutes and 18 seconds, with not one song hitting the two-minute mark. The thick-as-fuck guitar tone is perfect for the twisted and mangled pinch harmonics and subtly groovy Cannibal Corpse- or early Gorguts-styled riffing (similarities no doubt helped along by the Scott Burns production values); the drums are tight 'n' technical with plenty of raging blasts and flowing grooves that follow the guitar work; and the vocals are super burly without sounding the least bit goofy. It's just an incredible release on every level, with powerful tunes and a sense of urgency/energy extremely uncommon for grindcore—as is the sincerity of their message, which is delivered in a more intriguing and creative manner than your typically bland "politics". Now I'm actually somewhat pissed off that I haven't been rockin' this shit on a regular basis all this time!

Assück "Socialized Crucifixion"
Assück "State to State"
Assück "Page by Page"

I want to do everything yet I sit and do nothing. All that say, says nothing at all. Does mere existence truly justify itself? Optional in your world of confusion, powerless in my world of frustration. You seem to laugh, I sit and cry. In this world we all lose to the politics of lies.

Sound Pollution