Lasso

Reviews

Lasso Parte LP

This is another excellent slab of heart attack hardcore from this group out of Brazil. While the music is played at a blurring pace, it’s nonetheless sharp and clear as the pain from a broken rib. This is played precisely, which is all the more impressive because the sum of its performances creates a sort of maelstrom effect of mad-eyed, howling hardcore that sits handsomely alongside contemporaries like ELECTRIC CHAIR and MURO. The vocals are front and center, which I prefer in my HC, and they are some of the most spittle-dribbling, throat-shredded vocals I’ve heard in a minute. This is bolstered by a massive rhythm section and innovative guitar work, especially on tracks like “Enquanto Descansa, Carrega a Pedra” which features haunted and dissonant, effected clean(-ish) tones in the guitar on top of the otherwise crushing assault. This is some of the most melodically-minded hardcore guitar work I’ve heard in some time, and it plays perfectly with the nimble bass. Every piece is in place, resulting in maximum impact from a band that keeps to a standard of excellence with each release.

Lasso Ordem Imaginada EP

I am a little torn about this one. Not so torn that I would lose sleep or talk about it to my shrink (God knows he’s been through enough), but circumspect enough to be unable to judge if Ordem Imaginada is a solid or average ’20s hardcore EP. There are some elements of the record that I cannot help but find rather generic in terms of production and songwriting considering the current creative context of hardcore punk. On the other hand, it would be wrong and unfair to discard LASSO, as their third EP is objectively, taken as a singular work (out of context, so to speak), a good hardcore punk record. And besides, as a massive fan of orthodox D-beat, I should be prone to love generic music anyway. LASSO’s work sounds angry and very energetic, the seven songs flow with ease, and there are enough shades of hardcore paces (and even some dissonant moments) to please every clique. There are strong elements of the furious years of Italian hardcore like IMPACT or INDIGESTI, but I can also hear some ’80s Mexican hardcore like CLAMOR INEXORABLE or MELI, and even hints of the hardest branch of UK82 punk (say CRIMINAL JUSTICE)—all brilliant influences on paper, but I guess the effects on the vocals and guitars are a little too overwhelming for me, and it actually impairs the raw and direct quality of the songs. I wish I understood Portuguese, because I am sure the band has a lot to say about Brazil.

Lasso Amuo EP

LASSO came from out of nowhere and immediately grabbed the punk world by the balls. This may be a new outfit, but all of the members had previously played in ROSA IDIOTA. Following the Brazilian hardcore tradition and adding a bit of deathrock à la RUDIMENTARY PENI here and there, this debut is all one can ask for. An eight-song EP that will be stuck on your player for a long time.