ASG - The Amplification of Self Gratification (Cover Artwork)

ASG

ASG: The Amplification of Self GratificationThe Amplification of Self Gratification (2003)
Volcom Entertainment

Reviewer Rating: 3

User Rating:

Contributed by: FortyMinutesWestFortyMinutesWest
(others by this writer | submit your own)
Published on August 5th 2003Well this is something different. ASG mixes some diverse sounds together, from Queens of the Stone Age and The Foo Fighters to Metallica and In Flames. I find that they rely heavily on the American metal style over the course of this album, with bits of punk and rock thrown in for good measure. .

Well this is something different. ASG mixes some diverse sounds together, from Queens of the Stone Age and The Foo Fighters to Metallica and In Flames. I find that they rely heavily on the American metal style over the course of this album, with bits of punk and rock thrown in for good measure.

"The Amplification of Self Gratification" makes a good soundtrack for late night driving, that is, cruising around with the windows down and trying to feel like badass. As you're driving, some guy with a mullet grins and flashes the devil horns. Some of this stuff is pretty cheesy, but in an endearing way instead of in an annoying way. These guys know how to play as well; they've got a huge sound for being a 3 piece band. I like this album, I don't make practice of listening to this type of band very often but in a case like this I can make an exception.

It's far from perfect though. One major I gripe I have with this is that there is too much time spent building up to the verses, too many instrumental passages. Some bands can get away with this, ASG can't. Not that their sound isn't interesting, but they don't hold my attention well enough without some vocals added to the mix. When they cut to the chase and actually work with a greater punk influence on their sound as in the song "One Less Crutch" the results are overwhelmingly positive. If the band were to concentrate on more songs of this style I see no reason why they wouldn't have a large fan base in the future.

I'd recommend this to you if you want to see what a mixture of sing along metal and sing along punk would sound like. This album is by no means short of toe tapping moments, but a little more focus would be appreciated. ASG could very well be the band that makes people sit up and actually take Volcom seriously as a record label.

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

Anonymous (March 18, 2006)

dude, i heard this guys in a volcom skate video, and they were frak'n awsome! i found a new band that i can skate too!

Anonymous (March 5, 2006)

one of the greatest sounds i ever heard! where is the next album?

Anonymous (February 23, 2006)

ASG known in Italy!thank u amped2!

Anonymous (February 11, 2006)

ASG rock i first heard em on the volcom sk8 vid chicagof . my fav song is pillage and the plunders i luv the intro.

they should so tour australia.
reggae sucks old man balls

Anonymous (January 21, 2006)

you all are by far my favorite band
southernlord!!
yall ar pretty kickass
james....w/ the score

Anonymous (January 21, 2006)

you all are by far my favorite band
southernlord!!
yall ar pretty kickass
james

Anonymous (December 8, 2005)

Good album !
www.shaikhsiddiqui.com

Anonymous (August 13, 2005)

ASG is pretty damn good. I saw them perform at VOLCOM and I think they should keep doin what there doin. There stuff is great to surf to. Some of there stuff has like a classical/swedish death metal/punk/rock vibe to it.

Anonymous (February 23, 2005)

I just saw them last night (2-22-05) in Emerald Isle, NC and they kicked ass. The mosh was crazy in the little bar they were playing in. I can't wait to see them next time they come around

Anonymous (December 29, 2004)

This band is badass !!!!

Anonymous (November 13, 2004)

They rock asg is freakin bad ass man there from my town wil/nc

Anonymous (November 13, 2004)

ASG Kicks ass i surf and skate with jason and the boys all the time they rock ((( SNC )))

Anonymous (May 18, 2004)

i saw them in Boulder Colorado, opening for Guttermouth... hell i enjoyed them more then Guttermouth. these guys are sick, let alone i got to go back stage and hang out after the show, and spark up with the lead singer.

ROCK ON

Anonymous (November 3, 2003)

i saw ASG in Portland and they were sick- why do i get the feeling that you are giving them heat because they are on Volcom's music label. Critique the BAND not the label.

Anonymous (August 19, 2003)

saw these guys at Warped tour in new jersey- they're like iron maiden meets queens of the stone age and then some other shit..it's not my favorite type of music but i found myself watching the entire set..the shit is definately worthy.

Anonymous (August 15, 2003)

A great first album. Amazing sound for just three guys.

Anonymous (August 14, 2003)

uuh what's wrong with guitar intros?...i know that heavy metal has had it's day but isn't that slightly refreshing in such a pop "punk" saturated world? these guys at least bring it honestly...and why is a metal oriented band being critiqued on a punk site?

Anonymous (August 12, 2003)

fuck give these guys a break-they just wanna play some rock and roll and drink can beer and go fishing...i guess that's not hip enough for the disgruntled record store employess of the world whose bands didn't do shit..they are not a threat to your tight shirted indie post pre progressive icons..let these guys come into their own....good review

Anonymous (August 12, 2003)

good review...that's exactly what we think...and next time we'll have more than six grand to record with

Anonymous (August 11, 2003)

This album blew me away. My dad was lucky enough to catch them at warped tour and introduced me to them. Later on that day i was lucky enough to meet the bass player. He was a nice, down to earth guy. This is one of those cd's that you can wake you up and also put you to sleep. In a good way.

funkisdead (August 8, 2003)

no
some of it is cool as hell
but far more of it is just shit

Anonymous (August 7, 2003)

Reggae isn't that bad...

funkisdead (August 7, 2003)

i'd rather jack off and listen to audio karate than listen to reggae.

Anonymous (August 7, 2003)

i'd rather smoke pot and listen to slowreader than reggae.

Anonymous (August 6, 2003)

they should change their name to MSG.

Ramo
(ancient chinese secret)

Anonymous (August 6, 2003)

This score is for how much this band sucks.