Assalti Frontali

Assalti Frontali (Frontal Attack) were assembled in 1990 as a byproduct of the breakup of a well-known Roman band, Onda Rossa Posse. The group found its home in the centro sociale scene, and particularly around Rome’s Forte Prenestino. Assalti Frontali used the proceeds of some of their self-produced, self-distributed recordings to build a recording studio at Forte Prenestino. Along with a number of other Roman groups, including One Love Hi Power and Musica Forte, Assalti Frontali founded the La Cordata label to produce their own original music and that of others, without the compromises that come with larger label contracts. In 1991 Assalti released a single called “Baghdad 1991” addressing the Gulf War. Two years later they recorded the song “Sud,” which is credited with inspiring Gabriele Salvatores’ film about rebellion among the underclass of Italy’s southern Mezzogiorno region. The group’s second release, Conflitto, was recorded and mixed at Forte Prestino and sold via the underground leftist newspaper Il Manifesto. A few years later, in 1998, Assalti signed a three-album deal with BMG. Their first release under the new deal, 1999′s Banditi, was produced by Ice One. It was followed nearly five years later by HSL in 2004. Their most widely visible album to date, Mi Sa Che Stanotte..., hit the market in 2006. ~ Evan C. Gutierrez