Assassin (German thrash) — reviews, albums, info

The Profile

Assassin are a German thrash metal band from Düsseldorf, formed in 1983. They debuted with The Upcoming Terror (1987) and followed with Interstellar Experience (1988), later reforming to release further albums including The Club and Breaking the Silence.

Formed in Düsseldorf (1983). Early line-up featured vocalist Robert Gonella; drummers included Psyco Danger and later Frank Nellen; guitarist Michael Hoffman (future Sodom) joined for the second album. The Upcoming Terror was produced by Kalle Trapp; Interstellar Experience by Harris Johns. Lyrics often address war. The band disbanded after the late-80s run and later reformed, releasing albums such as The Club and Breaking the Silence.

Francescobus tackles Assassin’s first two albums with a sharp, skeptical ear. The Upcoming Terror is framed as raw, fast, and uneven, with abrasive vocals and austere production. Interstellar Experience shows tighter songwriting and more technical drums, but inconsistent production and lingering vocal issues. Themes circle war and speed-thrash orthodoxy, with nods to American influence and classic Teutonic benchmarks.

Notable Quotes

❝ The Assassin personified the "Free For All" of German Thrash, a gigantic musical brawl of enormous proportions, with an apocalyptic feel, essentially based on a sonic cocktail of Slayer, specifically the "Hell Awaits" era, combined with a more cautious writing ability and inferior instrumental prowess.

❝ "Abstract War" (recently covered by Invocator) is the fast opening firecracker, with Bay Area choruses, demonstrating the band's willingness to Americanize to escape the cliché of the German group with the deferential sound of German corporation-bands.