It’s been an eventful six years for North Carolina natives ASG, following being dropped from label Volcom they were forced to self release 2007 album Win Us Over. Fast forward to 2013 and the future is now much brighter; their modern rock sound has been appreciated and picked up by Relapse Records and they are now celebrating the release of their fourth full length Blood Drive.
ASG have provided the soundtrack to many a skate video, due to their powerful brand of gallop metal that gets adrenaline pumping whether you like it or not. Whilst Win Us Over packed full of aggression and intensity, Blood Drive takes a mellower approach with meditative guitar tones and soothing melodies. It could be argued that the band have matured in their approach to music and that their newer, chilled out sound is a progression from the million miles a minute sound they previously possessed. However, the quartet have somehow managed to turn themselves down from 11 all the way to zero – they sound so gentle that they fail to make any lasting impression and highlights on this latest opus are few and far between. In attempting to evolve, these guys have sacrificed their ability to pack a punch with their music.
Straddling a line between groove-laden stoner rock and pop sensibility is a skill that has always come with ease to this band and this is one core element that they have not relinquished their grasp on; despite inarguably falling into the ‘metal’ category, ASG remain completely accessible and have a vibe that even your dear, old mum would appreciate.
After the industry putting the boot in and them managing to bounce back so victoriously, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to expect an audio middle finger, proving that they’re stronger than ever. What ASG have produced instead is a polite “Hello, we’re back…hope that’s alright”. More energy is needed to make sure they aren’t forgotten quicker than the time it takes to listen to this record!
5/10
Angela Davey