Author: Peter Podbrežnik
Artist: Marillion
Label: EMI Records
Released: 1984
Running time: 12:34
Rating: 5/5
Legendary prog rock champions Marillion, helped along by a string of single releases, managed to make a name for themselves very early on and establish themselves as one of the big musical powers when it comes to songwriting, lyrical creativity, originality and theatricality. “Assassing”, inspired by the legendary Middle Eastern sect of attackers programmed for suicide missions, was the second single released to promote their second studio effort, the perfectionist masterpiece “Fugazi” (1984).
Why “Assassing” instead of “Assassin”? Even Fish, the charismatic original vocalist and lyricist, can’t say today why he tacked on that extra g at the end. Interestingly, the band’s official site now presents this classic without the g, which makes a certain sense, though they could have shown a bit more understanding for Fish’s whims back then, since the man was often in a peculiar state of mind thanks to certain intoxicating substances. That very state of mind partly inspired the lyrics themselves, since the sect of assassins (or hashashins), nicely described in Bartol’s cult novel Alamut, was known for deliberately drugging its members with hashish so they’d carry out all sorts of subversive acts they’d never have managed while sober. Above all, it guaranteed total loyalty to the sect’s leader, the mysterious “Old Man of the Mountain”. The superb cover by regular collaborator Mark Wilkinson is a caricature of a populist, beloved leader sending his apprentice off to the battlefield with sweet lies and a map in hand.
The unabridged version of “Assassing” found on the 12-inch vinyl, just like the album version, opens in grand style, with vivid oriental sounds over synthesizer effects and subdued drum looping, accompanied by electronically processed vocal effects. That’s followed by a building drum rhythm that runs until a masterfully executed transition featuring Rothery’s wonderfully refined and subtle soloing and a dazzling wash of Kelly’s synthesizers. Then comes the unforgettable, crystal-clear melody and Fish’s richly expressive vocals, as ever. The hypnotic, melodic chorus is almost legendary by now.
The second half brings the build-up and the climax, as the main motif repeats several more times through to the end. The lyrics are full of allusions to corrupt government agents, terrorists and Cold War conspiracy. Already on this evergreen you can hear important changes in Marillion’s sound. The rhythm section has become much fuller than before, and the keyboards are pushed a bit further to the front. The whole band is perfectly in sync on this classic, and the end result is one of their most striking pieces. With a bit less complexity, it would undoubtedly have become a hit single. The video, too, which was packed with allegories aimed at Orwell’s Big Brother, got heavy rotation on MTV and laid the groundwork for the big commercial success to come.
The B-side of the 12-inch vinyl single features the excellent, melodramatic little gem “Cinderella Search”, dedicated to all the “broken-hearted” souls, with an especially standout, strongly theatrical second part, its building verses of “welcome back to the circus” carrying it into an epic outro.
Of all the classics from the Fish era, “Assassing” is easily the most overlooked, which goes for the whole “Fugazi” album, since it hasn’t been played live since the late eighties, even though the single version is today a sought-after and highly prized rarity.
Lineup
Fish – vocals
Steve Rothery – guitar
Mark Kelly – keyboards
Pete Trewavas – bass guitar
Ian Mosley – drums
Production
Nick Tauber
Tracklist
1. Assassing (Edit)
2. Cinderella Search
3. Assassing (Extended Mix)
