Attack Attack! are a band renowned for their generic breakdowns, autotuned vocals and rampant synth lines. Not to forget their most noted creation ‘crabcore’.
Well, at the beginning of this year they released their new album, entitled ‘This is War’. Many would argue that their change up of sound for this album allows them to continue as one of the generic bands. And as it would seem, they have morphed from their roots in the generisism of Metalcore and have joined the latest musical trend, Djent. Sure, the fact they could have made this jump simply to stay current, but damn, they’ve done it with style!
For AA!, This is War has an extremely distinct and mature sound compared to that of their previous, self-titled, sophmore effort. Now that vocalist and synth writer, Caleb Shomo, has taken the job of frontman by the balls and ripped it this way and that. Developing his vocals into powerful gutturals to note perfect singing, which is more appreciated than in that the first album with vocalist Austin Carlisle.
It would seem that no distinct change of instrumentalists over the years has paid off for Attack Attack! Although the levels of skill involved may not be impeccable or versatile, the Ohio boys are on their way to writing some of the bounciest riffs around.
They haven’t dropped their blatant addiction for breakdowns, as there’s still one in every track. This may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but the pure energy put into these breakdowns is sure to give a baby induced roundhouse kick.
The synth lines have dropped off for the most part within This is War which for the most part seems to be for the best. But, when they do kick in, like Asking Alexandria before them, AA! have managed to keep them reigned in and have even added a small section of dubstep to one or two tracks.
So, still generic as hell, but kicking it with style, Attack Attack! may have a couple of tricks left up their sleeve just yet. 3.5/5 |
