Assertion
Intermission (orange/black/white)
"Transparent Orange with Black & White Twist" variant: Limited to 100 copies As the dust settled on an impressive list of former endeavors, it was an unlikely series of human connections that sparked the inception of Assertion. After years of self-described music industry PTSD and disenchantment, drummer William Goldsmith (Sunny Day Real Estate, The Fire Theft, Foo Fighters), guitarist/vocalist Justin Tamminga (Blind Guides, Dying Trades), bassist Bryan Gorder united through a series of serendipitous events. Best described adjectively, the band's debut LP, Intermission, is real, propulsive, and earnest - a cathartic experience that proudly does not nestle nicely alongside current bands - or really many releases at all from the last couple decades. Intermission conjures more connections to the heady grit and soaring grind of the 90's. Driving guitars anchored by a frenetic rhythm section. A haunting vocal delivery concealing a heartfelt sentiment. Track-by-track, the record builds into a dark and heavy crescendo but unpredictably retreats into delicate and fragile moments in masterful ways.