Vitamin X – “Full Scale Assault”

Released in 2008 through Tankcrimes in the United States and Agipunk in Europe, Full Scale Assault is widely considered a high-water mark for Vitamin X. To bridge their blistering live urgency with a proper studio translation, the Amsterdam outfit traveled to Chicago to record with legendary analog engineer Steve Albini at Electrical Audio. The resulting record pushes their hyper-speed thrashcore blueprint into a darker, heavier territory, dynamically folding in wild, late-1970s rock-and-roll guitar solos and aggressive crossover rhythms. Adding serious underground weight to the session, the band brought in John Brannon, the iconic vocalist of Negative Approach and The Laughing Hyenas, to deliver guest vocals on multiple tracks. Visually paired with standout gatefold artwork by John Dyer Baizley of Baroness, the record remains a masterclass in how to evolve a hardcore subgenre’s songwriting depth without sacrificing a single ounce of its furious, breakneck speed.

Track Listing:

01. Full Scale Assault – 1:42
02. Deal With It – 1:21
03. Get In The Pit – 1:09
04. Pull No Punches – 1:15
05. Better Get Away – 1:06
06. Time Has Come – 1:32
07. You Suck – 1:20
08. Grim Reaper – 1:01
09. Take It Or Leave It – 1:18
10. Head Full Of Demons – 2:03
11. Pressure Release – 1:15
12. Big Black Hole – 1:15
13. Slam Dunk – 1:11
14. Disintegration / Civilisation – 1:56
15. Blown Away – 1:10
16. Watcha Gonna Do – 1:21
17. Wake Up – 1:02
18. Block Bust – 1:20
19. Suburban Nightmare – 1:34
20. Yes Sir, No Sir – 1:01