Cali thrashers Take Offense have released their new single “Assassination” today - the second preview of what’s to come on their upcoming album T.O.tality.
The track kicks off with a complex riff that would sit perfectly on a Marty Friedman-era Megadeth record before settling into a swinging hardcore groove with unexpected twists. It’s the perfect sample of Take Offense’s fresh take on crossover as the band forge ahead towards new frontiers on T.O.tality .
Frontman Anthony Herrera tells, “‘Assassination’ embodies our mission to be truthful and give everything that you have.” It’s accompanying video, directed by Nicholas Hipa is a metaphor,” adds Herrera. “The assassin in the video represents anyone and anything trying to stop us – it ain’t happening.”
After nearly two decades of grinding and the accompanying blood/sweat, Take Offense have mastered their craft, reaching the pinnacle of their expansive sound. T.O.tality , their fourth overall album and label debut for MNRK Heavy , is marked with a sense of modernity– incorporating the hard-driving ethos of thrash, the finesse of speed metal, the sneering tenacity of hardcore all while nodding to their home of Southern California.
Take Offense look toward the tone and attitude of their California counterparts– bands like EXCEL and Suicidal Tendencies who also leaned heavily into skate aesthetics but worshipped Sunset Strip-and-adjacent guitar dieties like Warren Di Martini and Eddie Van Halen . T.O.tality is a love letter to that scene and those times, delivered in the form of an armada of fourteen nitro-equipped tracks that explode through barricades of genre convention and emptying the clip with fresh ideas. It’s a tribute to local heroes with familiar approaches that are wholly and undoubtedly Take Offense.
New music from Take Offense
Cali thrashers Take Offense have released their new single “Assassination” today - the second preview of what’s to come on their upcoming album T.O.tality.
The track kicks off with a complex riff that would sit perfectly on a Marty Friedman-era Megadeth record before settling into a swinging hardcore groove with unexpected twists. It’s the perfect sample of Take Offense’s fresh take on crossover as the band forge ahead towards new frontiers on T.O.tality .
Frontman Anthony Herrera tells, “‘Assassination’ embodies our mission to be truthful and give everything that you have.” It’s accompanying video, directed by Nicholas Hipa is a metaphor,” adds Herrera. “The assassin in the video represents anyone and anything trying to stop us – it ain’t happening.”
After nearly two decades of grinding and the accompanying blood/sweat, Take Offense have mastered their craft, reaching the pinnacle of their expansive sound. T.O.tality , their fourth overall album and label debut for MNRK Heavy , is marked with a sense of modernity– incorporating the hard-driving ethos of thrash, the finesse of speed metal, the sneering tenacity of hardcore all while nodding to their home of Southern California.
Take Offense look toward the tone and attitude of their California counterparts– bands like EXCEL and Suicidal Tendencies who also leaned heavily into skate aesthetics but worshipped Sunset Strip-and-adjacent guitar dieties like Warren Di Martini and Eddie Van Halen . T.O.tality is a love letter to that scene and those times, delivered in the form of an armada of fourteen nitro-equipped tracks that explode through barricades of genre convention and emptying the clip with fresh ideas. It’s a tribute to local heroes with familiar approaches that are wholly and undoubtedly Take Offense.
New album from Take Offense announced
Chula Vista’s Take Offense forge ahead towards new frontiers on T.O.tality.
After nearly two decades of grinding and the accompanying blood/sweat, Take Offense have mastered their craft, reaching the pinnacle of their crossover style. T.O.tality, their fourth overall album and label debut for MNRK Heavy, is marked with a sense of modernity– incorporating the hard-driving ethos of thrash, the finesse of speed metal, the sneering tenacity of hardcore all while nodding to their home of Southern California.
Take Offense look toward the tone and attitude of their California counterparts– bands like EXCEL and Suicidal Tendencies who also leaned heavily into skate aesthetics but worshipped Sunset Strip-and-adjacent guitar dieties like Warren Di Martini and Eddie Van Halen. T.O.tality is a love letter to that scene and those times, delivered in the form of an armada of fourteen nitro-equipped tracks that explode through barricades of genre convention and emptying the clip with fresh ideas. It’s a tribute to local heroes with familiar approaches that are wholly and undoubtedly Take Offense.
Today they’ve shared T.O.tality’s opening track and lead single “Greetings From Below” which “touches on certain Mexica beliefs of our underworlds,” reveals vocalist Anthony Herrera. “It’s believed these are places we go to when we die, but also when we go to sleep, in our dreams and nightmares. Our underworlds also correlate to our waking state as well and we usually experience them in the form of troubles or obstacles we face in our everyday life.”
Much like previous recordings, tracking for T.O.tality took place with Nick Jett (Terror) and the band serving as producers. But conflicting schedules between Herrera, guitarist Greg Cerwonka, bassist Randy Noyes, drummer Mitch Reitman and rhythm guitarist Ricky Garcia caused the recording of the much anticipated follow-up to Cause & Effect to be drawn out– writing commenced in Summer 2021 and tracking was completed in June 2023, with Matt Hyde (Slayer, No Doubt, Deftones) handling the mixing and Nick Townsend on mastering duty. “We’re incredibly proud of the record, and feel like it really represents who we are and where we’re from. But it was really a strenuous one to make and at points it felt like we might not get it done,” admits Greg. There were scheduling issues and complications around the pandemic, and on top of that Greg played in the live lineup of Turnstile for a while, so that added another layer. Regardless of all that, T.O.tality is here, and a big step forward.
And while only a cursory listen is needed to know that T.O.tality is a massive evolutionary step forward for the band, a detailed listen reveals the attention given with respect to lyricism and storytelling by frontman Anthony Herrera. Familiar lyrical themes from previous releases still ring true, but Herrera also called upon his own upbringing to add in themes surrounding existentialism, politics, soldiering forward and leaving regret behind. “I feel like I didn't hold back on things I wanted to say. It’s even in the title of the record– totality,” admits Herrera. “Certain tracks on the record have references to Mexica, which are beliefs that go back to early Mexico– something that I grew up with. When I was younger, I don’t think it was as easy for me to express certain things into words. I think things come easier now and I feel like I put it all out there. So I'm very proud to be at this point– I feel like we are stronger than ever, and with the new record we are the best version of who we are.”
Take Offense - T.O.tality Splatter Vinyl
Take Offense - T.O.tality CD
TAKE OFFENSE Announce New Album 'T.O.tality'
Chula Vista’s Take Offense forge ahead towards new frontiers on T.O.tality.
After nearly two decades of grinding and the accompanying blood/sweat, Take Offense have mastered their craft, reaching the pinnacle of their crossover style. T.O.tality, their fourth overall album and label debut for MNRK Heavy, is marked with a sense of modernity– incorporating the hard-driving ethos of thrash, the finesse of speed metal, the sneering tenacity of hardcore all while nodding to their home of Southern California.
Take Offense look toward the tone and attitude of their California counterparts– bands like EXCEL and Suicidal Tendencies who also leaned heavily into skate aesthetics but worshipped Sunset Strip-and-adjacent guitar dieties like Warren Di Martini and Eddie Van Halen. T.O.tality is a love letter to that scene and those times, delivered in the form of an armada of fourteen nitro-equipped tracks that explode through barricades of genre convention and emptying the clip with fresh ideas. It’s a tribute to local heroes with familiar approaches that are wholly and undoubtedly Take Offense.
Today they’ve shared T.O.tality’s opening track and lead single “Greetings From Below” which “touches on certain Mexica beliefs of our underworlds,” reveals vocalist Anthony Herrera. “It’s believed these are places we go to when we die, but also when we go to sleep, in our dreams and nightmares. Our underworlds also correlate to our waking state as well and we usually experience them in the form of troubles or obstacles we face in our everyday life.”
LISTEN TO / WATCH 'GREETINGS FROM BELOW'
Much like previous recordings, tracking for T.O.tality took place with Nick Jett (Terror) and the band serving as producers. But conflicting schedules between Herrera, guitarist Greg Cerwonka, bassist Randy Noyes, drummer Mitch Reitman and rhythm guitarist Ricky Garcia caused the recording of the much anticipated follow-up to Cause & Effect to be drawn out– writing commenced in Summer 2021 and tracking was completed in June 2023, with Matt Hyde (Slayer, No Doubt, Deftones) handling the mixing and Nick Townsend on mastering duty. “We’re incredibly proud of the record, and feel like it really represents who we are and where we’re from. But it was really a strenuous one to make and at points it felt like we might not get it done,” admits Greg. There were scheduling issues and complications around the pandemic, and on top of that Greg played in the live lineup of Turnstile for a while, so that added another layer. Regardless of all that, T.O.tality is here, and a big step forward.
And while only a cursory listen is needed to know that T.O.tality is a massive evolutionary step forward for the band, a detailed listen reveals the attention given with respect to lyricism and storytelling by frontman Anthony Herrera. Familiar lyrical themes from previous releases still ring true, but Herrera also called upon his own upbringing to add in themes surrounding existentialism, politics, soldiering forward and leaving regret behind. “I feel like I didn't hold back on things I wanted to say. It’s even in the title of the record– totality,” admits Herrera. “Certain tracks on the record have references to Mexica, which are beliefs that go back to early Mexico– something that I grew up with. When I was younger, I don’t think it was as easy for me to express certain things into words. I think things come easier now and I feel like I put it all out there. So I'm very proud to be at this point– I feel like we are stronger than ever, and with the new record we are the best version of who we are.”
Take Offense - T.O.tality CD
California Thrash Band TAKE OFFENSE Signs With MRNK Heavy
MNRK Heavy announces the addition of California crossover thrash band TAKE OFFENSE to its roster. The band is prepping its new studio album, due this spring. Moreover, Take Offense has announced a national tour with new labelmates Escuela Grind. The tour kicks off this week, on January 24th in San Diego, CA, and wraps up on February 17th in Boston, Massachusetts.
Scott Givens, MNRK's SVP of Rock & Metal, says, "All of us at MNRK Heavy are fans of Take Offense, so when the opportunity to add them to the roster came along, it was a no-brainer. The band has made an amazing record, and I can't wait to share it with their fans."
Take Offense's guitarist Greg Cerwonka," says, “We’re really excited to bring in the new year with MNRK and to be included in such an awesome roster of artists. So far, working with MNRK has been great, and knowing we have a team that truly supports us is a great feeling, especially since this new record marks a new chapter for Take Offense. And honestly, we’re just pumped to be on the same label as Ace. KISS ARMY FOR LIFE!”
Vocalist Anthony Herrera adds, "We couldn’t be happier than to work with a label like MNRK. So far it’s been an experience that has allowed Take Offense to be Take Offense. That type of treatment can be difficult to come by these days. We look forward to what the future holds for us on this new ride, along with MNRK & all the great artists on the label.”
Complete Tour Dates:
1/24 San Diego, CA – Brick By Brick
1/25 Santa Ana, CA – La Santa
1/26 Los Angeles, CA – The Paramount
1/27 Fresno, CA – Full Circle
1/28 Oakland, CA – 9 Lives
1/29 Eugene, OR – John Henry’s
1/30 Portland, OR – Twilight
2/1 Seattle, WA – Vera Project
2/2 Boise, ID – The Shredder
2/3 Salt Lake City, UT – Salt City Seamers
2/4 Denver, CO – Moe’s
2/5 Omaha, NE – Reverb Lounge
2/6 Sioux Falls, SD – Remedy
2/7 Des Moines, IA – Lefty’s Live
2/8 Chicago, IL – Reggies
2/9 Detroit, MI – Sanctuary
2/10 Indianapolis, IN – Atomic Bowling
2/11 Columbus, OH – Ace Of Cups
2/12 Cleveland, OH – No Class
2/13 Pittsburgh, PA – The Shred Shed
2/14 York, PA – Skid Row Garage
2/15 Philadelphia, PA – Kung Fu Necktie
2/16 Brooklyn, NY – TV Eye
2/17 Boston, MA – Sonia