Review – Attack Attack! (US) – This Means War

Much maligned in the past for their renowned “crab-core” antics and their screamo stylings, with their latest album, Attack Attack! up their game considerably, and mature into a more powerful beast than anyone could have expected from them.

Their sound has developed too; merging their metalcore assault with electronic influences, some soaring melodies, and some of the heaviest riffola you will hear all year, This Means War is a phenomenal statement of intent, the band clearly hitting a sweet spot, and proving their mettle on this record.

The riffs are venomous, and the vocals guttural, but interspersed with some sweet, sweet melodies (none more so than on the The Betrayal).

The record may be a little formulaic and one-dimensional for some, but across the board, this is a relentless and vicious array of beatdowns, chugga-chugga and piercing screams; a true metalcore record at heart, the ingenious inclusion of various electronics throughout, and a breathtaking production, seeing them tread a line not to dissimilar to that of the UK’s Bring Me The Horizon. As with BMTH, Attack Attack! have improved 100-fold, and have become a better band entirely. This album showcases them at their very best.

Even though all tracks begin with “The”, each is a lesson in fusing huge riffs and massive metalcore vocals, the energy never dropping one iota throughout. This is a reckless and relentless record, and it works so well in moving them past their reputation of yesteryear. They have clearly moved on, and raced to the front of the pack with this album. Whether its driving riffs, breakdowns, screams, soaring melodies, frenetic drumming or pulsating electronics; it is all here.

This is how metalcore sounds when it is done solidly; a few more stand out tracks would have scored this higher, but this is still a more than enjoyable outing from a band who have really shut the mouths of all their detractors with this record.

7.5/10