Assassin (song)
MuseWiki, wiki for the band Muse
| Muse song | |
|---|---|
| Name | Assassin |
| Album/single |
|
| Length | 3:31, 5:19 (Grand Omega Bosses edit), ~5:15 (2005 tour) |
| Alternative titles | |
| First live performance | 8th April 2005 |
| Latest live performance | 2nd July 2007 |
| Recorded | 2005-2006 |
| Writer/composer | Matthew Bellamy |
| Producer | Rich Costey[3] |
| Chart position | 6 (download)[4] |
| Album Nav | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Invincible | < | Assassin | > | Exo-Politics |
Description
Perhaps the Muse tune that most reminds of Daron Malakian's Armenian-tinged metal guitar playing. Bellamy's stabby guitar riffs are accompanied by a heavy bass line and some thrashy drumming, there are parts to this song where the drumming is the most audible, as in the drum riffs within Map of the Problematique. The 'Debase' section also resembles the band's rendition of Prelude In G Minor [1].
Additional information
Formerly known as Debase Masons Grog ("Messageboard Song"),[5] Cold Aqua Tomato (The anagram for the email address) and Demonocracy.[5]
Demonocracy means the power or government of demons. This was detailed as an early title for Assassin in an Italian review of Black Holes and Revelations in late May.[5] Bellamy has said this is a "kind of take a gun out and kill somebody" style song.[5]
Early reviews prior to the album's leak described the introduction with reference to the Knight Rider theme music.[5]
This song has several major changes compared to earlier live versions from 2005. It had a longer, more distorted intro, more varied percussion, most prominently contained a slow bridge between the first and second chorus, and was generally more progressive. The original drumming was put into Map of the Problematique.
During recording, the bass drum had a "few" extra microphones, to record the "most definition possible". These microphones for the bass drum included one inside the drum and two outside. Capacitor microphones were used for the snare drums.[6]
Live
An extended version of the song was reintroduced during the 2006 tour. This version includes a modified version of the omitted interlude, with different percussion and no vocals. While there are reports both of the interlude being placed in its original position and of extensions comprising of parts of the original version, these claims cannot be substantiated and some of these claims contradict the recordings.[7] Wolstenholme screams the line "Aim, shoot, kill your leaders" during the solo that's on the album.[8]
Alternate versions
It was reported that an extended version of Assassin was to be the B-Side for the Knights of Cydonia single on the offical Muse site.[9] This was later clarified to be for B-Side to the vinyl and non-preordered digital formats, and that the name of it is "Grand Omega Bosses edit".[10] Grand Omega Bosses is an anagram for 'Debase Masons Grog', or 'Message Board Song', a former title during the 2005 cryptography game,[5] used to signify the then-untitled, extended version of Assassin on a set list. This version reinserts the interlude and lyrics featured in the 2005 live version, as well as adding a piano part during said interlude.
The "Grand Omega Bosses edit" adds some depth to the interpretation of the song. Instead of one resisting alongside others (as in "join forces underground"), the importance of taking action before the isolation of resistance can be overcome is strengthened in the lyrics of the bridge (see "You're not alone / But you must actualise / The first attack").
The piano part within the 'Debase' interlude was added prior to the shortening of the song, rather than afterwards. Costey revealed that the band had been planning to release the Grand Omega Bosses edit for some time prior to its release.[6]
Music trivia
At 3:14, Bellamy can be heard saying 'Go!'. This was removed on the Grand Omega Bosses edit.
During the riff before the second verse, Chris can be heard screaming "Aim, shoot, kill your leaders".
Lyrics
War is overdue The time has come for you To shoot your leaders down Join forces underground Lose control And increasing pace Warped and bewitched Time to erase Whatever they say These people are torn Wild and bereft Assassin is born, yeah Aim, shoot, kill your leaders Oppose and disagree Destroy demonocracy Lose control And increasing pace Warped and bewitched Time to erase Whatever they say These people are torn Wild and bereft Assassin is born, yeah
Grand Omega Bosses edit
War is overdue The time has come for you To shoot your leaders down Join forces underground Lose control And increasing pace Warped and bewitched Time to erase Whatever they say These people are torn Wild and bereft Assassin is born, yeah Aim, shoot, kill your leaders They'll try to steal your life So watch your back You're not alone But you must actualise The first attack Oppose and disagree Destroy demonocracy Lose control And increasing pace Warped and bewitched Time to erase Whatever they say These people are torn Wild and bereft Assassin is born, yeah
2005 tour
War is overdue Time has come for you To shoot your leaders down Truth's crumbling now (Appears to say "Pray on holy ground" on St.Louis version) Lose control Lose your faith Lingering hours Time to erase Lose control Lose your faith Lingering hours Turn to the grave They'll try to steal your life So watch your back You're not alone But you must actualise The first attack War is overdue I struggle for you Lose control Lose your faith Lingering hours Time to erase Lose control Lose your faith Lingering hours Turn to the grave
Shepherds Bush Empire 2006
The following second verse was sung instead:
Destroy and disagree Cut down demonocracy
References
- ↑ Sunset Station 2005-05-03 set list
- ↑ Gypsy Ballroom 2005-05-04 set list
- ↑ Album notes
- ↑ techdigest.tv 200701013 - Muse, Leona and Depeche Mode top the download charts for 2006
- ↑ a b c d e f Reference needed!
- ↑ a b
An Evening with Rich Costey - 2007-03 - Jeff Touzeau (verify)
- ↑ muselive.com 20060924
- ↑ Hyundai Pavilion 20060923 The song was also used in television adverts for the film Smokin' Aces.
- ↑ muse.mu News 20061017
- ↑ muse.mu News 20061107
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