
Interstellar Experience
(High Roller Records)
33:44min
ASSASSIN helped push German Thrash Metal to new heights in the late 1980s with their influential first two albums that have now been reissued with painstaking care by High Roller Records. Curious and passionate Metalheads, those are obsessed with the most aggressive and intense music from the ’80s, should be aware that ASSASSIN stood out among the growing Teutonic scene alongside peers like SODOM, DESTRUCTION, KREATOR, DEATHROW, DARKNESS and PROTECTOR in crafting an unbridled heavy sound. Their 1987 debut “The Upcoming Terror” immediately showed that the Düsseldorf quintet meant business, with Robert Gonnella’s distinct gritty vocals roaring over distortion-laden riffs and chest-thumping instrumentals, which established ASSASSIN amid a seminal scene. The following year’s “Interstellar Experience” found the band expanding their sound with more intense playing and crunchy guitar tones. Songs like the neck-breaking starter ‘Abstract War’, which demonstrated a new level of sonic weight in their arsenal. Also, the blistering heaviness and thrashing on this album such as ‘A Message To Survive’ and ‘Baka’ spread menace throughout with both closing in on blast beat territory. Here Frank Nellen with his incredibly insane and tight drumming left an awe-striking highlight the whole time. ASSASSIN also showed their playful side on witty tracks like ‘Junk Food’ and “fun” side to their lyrics with ‘AGD’ were having an inner circle conspiracy-themed espionage fun go with the lyrics by incorporating members of SODOM, DESTRUCTION and KREATOR. Finally, the bonus of the long-lost song ‘Strange World’, which was originally recorded during the album’s session but was left off the album (it only appeared on the CD edition of the original album release – Frank). Although it has a little more melody than some of the other songs, however it thrashes hard and is a revelatory addition for fans. What is more impressive is that over 30 years later, this classic album and its numbers still breathe with an intensity that few of their peers can match. So, this High Roller reissue finally does justice after years of subpar remastering, restored to their full skull-crushing glory courtesy of a new mastering process. Also, this re-issue should surprise heads for inclusions like, additional slipcase (with alternate b/w cover artwork), two-sided poster (cover artwork / original album inner sleeve), and two-sided b/w poster with booklets. For those who came of age with these records, this reissue is certainly going to serve as a welcome nostalgic trip. But more importantly, it should introduce a new generation to one of the founding fathers of Teutonic Thrash. While the bigger German names rightly receive acclaim, ASSASSIN proved themselves why their names should be respected in the same tone as peers with their vicious musicianship and pioneering spirit. Find out more about the band and label at www.facebook.com/assassinofficial or www.facebook.com/hrrecords.
Randolph Whateley
• ASSASSIN - Holy Terror / The Saga Of Nemesis (Miguel Negrón)
• ASSASSIN - Combat Cathedral (Julián “Ambush” Núñez)
• ASSASSIN - Chaos And Live Shots (Frank Stöver)
• ASSASSIN - Breaking The Silence (Michael Tak)
• ASSASSIN - Chronicles Of Resistance (Nathan Shapiro)
• ASSASSIN - The Club (Frank Stöver)
• ASSASSIN - Interview (Timothy Dovgy)