Assassin signs to SPV / Steamhammer

GO! FIGHT! KILL! No sound defines Thrash Metal more than ASSASSIN. A hybrid of Speed Thrash Metal and Hardcore splashed with a sense of humor, it grabs you by the throat and kicks your ass.

ASSASSIN was officially formed in 1984 with the lineup of Robert Gonnella(vocals), Dinko Vekic (lead guitar), Scholli (rhythm guitar), Lulle (bass) and Psycho (drums). Dubbed the Holy Terror era, their first demo sold approximately 500 copies; a great feat considering there was no internet music sharing. A short time later, the Nemesis demo was released in 1986 and Assassin was signed to SPV. "The Upcoming Terror" was released and sold approximately 15,000 copies.

After some time off, the band regrouped with new members Michael Hoffmann (guitar) and Frank Nellen (drums). They released their second album, Interstellar Experience in 1988 and quickly rose through the ranks as one of Germany's top 5 thrash bands. Supporting Death Angel on their first official tour in 1988, nearly all of the shows were sold out. While working on their third album, all their equipment was stolen and ASSASSIN, having no funds to reinvest in equipment, lost their will to continue and broke up shortly thereafter.

Fast forward to 2002,after numerous chants of GO, FIGHT, KILL from the worldwide Thrash Metal community, the band regrouped and the official ASSASSIN reunion was announced. This new lineup was Robert (vocals), Dinko (lead guitar), Scholli (rhythm guitar), Achim (bass) and Atomic Steiff (drums). A new 5 track demo was recorded and played live at Wacken 2003 to critical acclaim.

"It's incredible how quick the underground spreads the information", explains Rudy Schmitz, ASSASSIN's manager.

"Suddenly, radio stations are playing ASSASSIN again in their rotations and the rabid fans wanted more and they wanted ASSASSIN live. Shows were booked and appetites were fed. We made some shows and it was like coming home", says singer Robert Gonnella.

With Dinko gone for most of 2005, it was decided that another guitarist would step in to fill the void. Back from a 6 year long extended trip to Brazil, Michael Hoffman was ready to jump in as a third guitarist. Atomic and Dinko left the band and Frank once again was back on the skins. In early 2005 their 3rd album "The Club" was self-produced and self-released. In 2009, drummer Frank Nellen left the band for personal reasons and was replaced by the Wicked Kemao drummer Björn Sondermann. At the same time Joachim Kremer joined the band as the new bass player.

In spring 2010, ASSASSIN played a handful of shows in Asia. Their concerts in Japan were professionally recorded with the plan to release a future DVD.

In autumn 2010 the band signed a record deal with the German label SPV/Steamhammer. They recorded their new album with producer Harris Johns (Voivod, Kreator, Sodom). The album entitled "Breaking The Silence" will be released worldwide in February 2011

Read More News

Tags:  Assassin    

Jason Fisher    October 29, 2010