Dang. Here I thought I had a busy weekend, but I guess that fails in comparison to the metalcore legends Attack Attack! About a week ago, the band was making news about a potential genre shift to country and then followed it up by releasing two new singles, "Chainless" and "Dance! (ft. Will Ramos of Lorna Shore)". Throw all that chaos together with an album and tour announcement, and you got yourself a good time coming! I've been listening to Attack Attack! since the days of Limewire, iPods, and having my Grandma Terry straighten my hair into the scene fringe (don't come for me). All I know is that if Attack Attack! has new music, I just had to take some time to listen and write a review.
I'll be honest, I was skeptical at first before listening to the new singles. When you've been a band for close to 20 years and have seen the music scene change in countless ways while experiencing some line-up changes, the sound of the band will change. That's just something that happens and sometimes it brings your band to new heights and sometimes it won't be accepted by fans. That's alright.
So, when I heard that beginning sample of "Dance!", I didn't know what I was getting myself into. Did the band change completely? Did they take an Electric Callboy approach? Is this just a quick gimmick before the breakdown? But, as those riffs came in and started building up as the vocals came in, I could tell this was going to be a fun track. It is as though the band decided to say "fuck it" and do something that makes them happy while incorporating those sounds and feelings of the early 2000's with the musical ability and talent the band currently has. The track is a fun party song that is sure to have fans having the time of their life in the pit.
"Chainless" had a bit of a different vibe from "Dance!" but not to the point of completely changing up the tone of the two tracks. The song comes in heavy with the riffs, chugs, and crisp snare from the drums as a fun electronic beat plays in the background. "Chainless" definitely sounds and feels heavier, but it still has a bit of a fun dance vibe to it. I find myself head banging along to the lyrics but also moving back and forth while I sing along. To all my -core kids... if you're thinking to yourself, "But... But... Where's my breakdown and my crabcore? Bring back the heavy", just way for the 2 minute mark of the song. That masterfully done build up to a classic metalcore breakdown shook me to my core (see what I did there) and just makes you lose all control.
Let us be honest. Attack Attack! is back and 2025 is going to be the year that everyone remembers why the band is a legend in the music scene.
Fans can pre-order the album here.
Track Listing:
- ONE HIT WONDER
- Dance!
- Chainless
- Walk On Water
- Karmageddon
- Live, Love, & Die
- i complain on r/metalcore
- Big Booty Britches
- Without You
- Sacrifice
- Jump Jump!
Tickets for The Roadside Rumble Tour can be found here.
