Attack Attack! - Attack Attack!

Attack Attack!
Attack Attack!
Rise Records
June 8, 2010
C-




We know who they are. They can’t seem to get mentioned in a story without a mention of Austin Carlile or “Stick Stickly”, but they’re still going somehow. For better or worse, Attack Attack! is back with their second full-length, an appropriate self-titled one to be more specific. Yes, the mind-perplexing (for some) combination of metalcore and electronica into a mix of breakdowns and party moments has returned for a second helping on Rise Records. In many ways, things haven’t changed for the better, but at least the parts are starting to fall in place for better output in the future.

The biggest problem of Attack Attack! is the complete lack of direction throughout this album. One moment the band is tapping metalcore to the tune of drop-B for some very Emmure sounding breakdowns (“Renob, Nevada”, ”AC-130”), then the next track they are mimicking Cobra Starship (“Shut Your Mouth") or a guitar-heavy Brokencyde (“Fumbles ‘O Brian”). In reality, the electronica influences during certain parts of this album could work out to be a heavier version of Enter Shikari if the band had the writing chops and drive to be serious about their craft. Instead, we end up with an album chock full of mediocrity and a whole lot of woulda, coulda and shoulda.

There are a few decent things to cherish from this record. Keyboardist/vocalist Caleb Shomo has a goliath of a voice for a screamer, putting a nice cap on the heavier sections and breakdowns of the tracks. In a similar vein, the shying away from always doing breakdowns during said parts, as seen in small spurts of this album, will help this band harness the electronic sounds they seem so intent on including in their arrangements.

Sure, the guys in Attack Attack! have a ways to go before they can truly be something worthwhile in the realm of heavy music. If they can get their ducks in a row and solidify their electronic influences into a coherent experience, Attack Attack! might just be onto something legitimate. Until then guys, expect to just be known as the band that did “Stick Stickly”.