Some bands try to impress the audience with their unusual visuals, others make music which is interesting on the surface, but in fact soulless, written with the help of various producers. However, thanks to the mainstream we have an alternative scene, where bands like sassya- appear from time to time. As soon as you try to just ‘touch’ their music, these musicians will literally hit you in the chest with their messy riffs, kick you hard with the raw sound and then knock you off your feet with the crude melody. Sekizui, the second full album from the trio, won’t go easy on listeners, leaving them one-on-one with the hysterical, but recklessly honest companion for half an hour.
Instead of regular ‘greetings’, this companion goes berserk, making you hide in the corner. The opening Tokyo sweeps by like a sound tornado, then suddenly stops for a few seconds, swaying from side to side to the sound of bass guitar. The musicians don’t even try to sing here, they simply yell at you, hammering every word into your brain. Right from the start, sassya-’s overt anger and crazy punk energy will scare off those who are used to a more gentle approach.
Let them run, because nothing will change until the last chords of this release. The band continues to rage like a powerful sound typhoon, battering with loud music and hysterical vocals. sassya- splatters emotions all over the place, making you feel them physically. Yet still, sometimes the band pushes too hard, to the extent that some parts are almost unpleasant to listen to.
However, all of the drawbacks become irrelevant when sekizui kicks in. The title track is not just the greatest song on the album, but the grand finale of this loud and weird conversation. The song paints the world grey, hypnotizing the listener with its rhythm and gloomy mood. It awakens a sense of anxiety, which becomes stronger and stronger. Then, it explodes with a loud, desperate scream, releasing the tension. Its place is instantly taken by your anger for your own weaknesses. And here you are, desperately wading through the wall of sound, created by the lengthy instrumental parts, to have a chance to stand near the vocalist and shout into the darkness at the top of your voice together with him, while dissolving into the thundering music.
sassya-’s new release is certainly not for everyone. The raw sound can scare a wider audience off, and some tracks are really hard to listen to, even considering the genre. But from another perspective, the mix of their wild, crazy punk/hardcore energy and bold, aggressive, emotional approach will definitely find its fans.
