It's telling that North Carolina's metal-infused power-punk band ASG — the bizarre name is an acronym for the equally bizarre Amplifications of Self Gratification — began life as an instrumental trio gung-ho on creating massive guitar riffs. That period served ASG well, because after founding guitarist Jason Shi eventually stepped up to the microphone, the band's reliance on diverse instrumentation carried over into its vocals. ASG's third album, Feeling Good Is Good Enough, aggressively mashes hardcore, thrash and clean power-punk vocals into a melodic maelstrom that doesn't slot neatly into any particular genre. Even though ASG is a veteran of the Vans Warped Tour (known for its plethora of punk and hardcore acts), the band borrows freely from musical and lyrical influences as diverse as the Dwarves, Kyuss, Queens of the Stone Age and Guns N' Roses. Best of all, Feeling Good Is Good Enough lives up to the promise of its apt title.
Track Listing:
1) Feeling Good Is Good Enough
2) Dusty Roads
3) Act Like You Know
4) John Wayne
5) Killers for Hire
6) Horsewhipper
7) Going Through Hell
8) Yes, We Are Aware
9) Matadors of the Heart
10) Thirsting for More
11) Cracks in the Sky