Live Review 010-Attack Attack!

Live performance:****     Times Seen:1

Some Day Came Suddenly (2008)-7.6

Attack Attack! (2010)-6.9

This Means War (2012)-8.4

Genre 1:Post-Hardcore

Genre 2:Electronica/Electronicore

Genre 3:Metalcore

Genre 4:…crab..core..

For Fans Of:Asking Alexandria, Alesana, Blessthefall, Of Mice & Men, Escape The Fate, Abandon All Ships, Chiodos, Hot Topic, Studded Belts, Synth, Breakdowns and trendy music.

Formed in:2007

Status:Disbanded in 2013

Discography Overview:

Some Day Came Suddenly came out suddenly on some day in 2008. This album would go on to become one of the most controversial albums in the post-hardcore scene. Many people said the album was boring, bland, generic or just downright awful. Others thought the poppy metalcore with synth was almost revolutionary. To many people including myself, I think they pulled it off better than other bands that tried to mimick their success. They spawned many bands who tried the formula, but none that I can think of can compete with Attack Attack!’s debut release. This album has a huge amount of nostalgia for anyone that liked this style of music back then. When I finally saw this Attack Attack!, it wasn’t with the vocalist Austin Carlile who was on this album, but with their later vocalist Caleb Schomo. I can’t speak on Austin’s behalf, but Caleb NAILED it. Dancing to the synth parts and throwing down to the “crabcore” breakdowns of the past was a ton of fun. Of course this album isn’t technical, or really that  innovative. But it’s a solid release and it has my scene stamp of approval. 

Attack Attack!’s self titled release kind of takes a different approach. Right off of the bat, you can tell they had more money to make this album. When I first heard this album, I kind of thought wow the deathcore kids won. They made fun of Attack Attack! for not being heavy by probably using an adjective such as “pussy shit” and Attack Attack! decided to deliver. Or try to at least. Attack Attack! also has even more unlikelable interludes such as the beginning to Fumble’s O’Brian. For the most part, any time I was digging a part of this album, a part of the song or the next song would make me cringe. 

Attack Attack!’s final album, This Means War is the peak of their musical ability. From song writing, to instrumentation, this is the most mature release by the band without a doubt. Just like previous albums, the only setback is that Attack Attack! continues to follow whatever trend is “in”. They have dubstep breakdowns, and they djent. While I think it’s uncool that Attack Attack! was constantly changing  and tweaking their sounds to remain relevant, I do have to admit that they pull off the use of both elements better than a lot of other bands that have tried. This Means War is catchy, heavy, and melodic. Seeing Caleb Schomo perform this album live was an awesome experience. There are few vocalists that perform as passionately as him. 

Live Review

Many people do not take Attack Attack! seriously. Often, I can understand why. Whether you do or not, the band still played a hell of a show. You can tell they loved every second of what they were doing. Caleb Schomo gave a motivational speech during the Eat Your Heart Out Fest I saw them at. He preached of believing there’s love and hope in this world and not to give up. I believed he was sincere, it’s cool seeing someone care. Even if he was just pretending, it still made an impact on the fans so that’s cool. I like when bands use their sheep of a fanbase to preech positive things and perserverance rather than using their fame for nefarious purposes. During the old songs Attack Attack! also had unforgettable dancing during the electronic parts pretty much in rave fashion. The heavy parts were mosh-able, and the screaming choruses were singable. If this Attack Attack! lineup was reformed, you’d bet your ass I’d see them again. If they never do, well it will always be a pleasure reliving some nostalgic tracks from the past.