Episode II: Attack Cloned!
As I established in my first post on music, I’m an enjoyer of Metal music (the only music that matters). After posting on music that first time, I had thought that I should lay off of topics not related to self publishing and/or writing. But now that I have my own website, I’ve come to think these other interests could bleed into my content from time to time.
Last time I talked about an album and an EP that fell flat. Both of these were from bands I’ve liked in the past. Today I’d like to talk about an album and an EP that I really like. These are from bands that I have less emotional stake in than the previous two bands, but I’ve liked their music in the past as well.
I’ll be starting with Dark Waves – EP, by Attack Attack! And I’ll finish up with [m]other, by Veil of Maya.
I was first introduced to Attack Attack! about thirteen years ago by a close friend. I heard “Hot Grills, and High Tops” transition perfectly into “Stick Stickly” and was instantly hooked. The band had that 2000s flare of naming all of their songs random things, and I wasn’t such a big fan of that naming convention, but their music was on point Metalcore. I can still listen to their whole discography (small as it is) and find it enjoyable to hear.
Attack Attack! went on hiatus at some point after their third studio album released in 2012. It was nine years before they’d release Long Time, No Sea – Ep in 2021. Their return to music was certainly a surprise to me, and I thought their returning EP was solid work. And that brings me to their release this year.
Dark Waves – EP, released March 31st, 2023.
It would seem that Attack Attack! is attempting to put out music every two years, which would be a welcome change if their music is as consistently good as it is in this EP and their last release.
“Dark Waves” brings me in with a muted opening of chunky riffs, followed by some sweet growls, and an aggressive chorus featuring clean vocals. Solid work for the first of five songs.
“Kmstl” opens up with the sound of cowboy boots on wood and continues the Western flare for the first twenty seconds. With whips cracking and cowboycore guitar riffs, this song brings me back to Attack Attack!’s more whacky roots of everything goes song writing. This paired with the unusual naming convention reminds me this band is holding onto its identity.
“Paralyzed (Until We Meet Again)” is the Metalcore equivalent of a power ballad, and that’s not a dig at the song at all. I quite enjoy when a Metal band can come at me with something more soft and sentimental, and in the case of this song, something that can also pack a powerful punch. The song keeps a melodic tone throughout, and it’s overall great to listen to.
It’s ironic that my work in progress is also called Paralyzed, though my story has a completely opposite tone to this song.
“Killing for Sport” and “Out of Time” are both good songs as well. They don’t stand out as much as the previous three songs, though they are both solid entrees in this EP. I definitely wouldn’t skip either of these when playing this EP (in fact I wouldn’t skip any of the songs from this EP).
I’m really glad Attack Attack! is back at it and coming out with good music. It’s especially a relief that they came back stronger than before.
Veil of Maya is a band I haven’t spent a whole lot of time listening to, but I tend to pay attention whenever a band I like (even somewhat) comes out with new material. This is why I gave [m]other a listen when it came out. And I was absolutely blown away by what I heard.
“Tokyo Chainsaw” is the first song on the album, and it packs a whopping punch. Thick guttural vocals paired with heavy riffs that almost drone on and on in repetition. And the lyric “Beg for salvation” comes through as a brutal exclamation mark.
“Artificial Dose” comes in with the same energy as the first song, though this song is the one that made me really like this album. Because out of nowhere the chorus comes in with beautifully clean vocals. Like a sirens call, this song draws me in with brutality and beauty. The chorus especially speaks to me with the lyrics “Patience is a virtue. And I’ve been waiting all along. Now I outlive the misery that tried to finish me.”
“Godhead” seems to be telling a grim story from the perspective of the wicked. The song tells the listener to “Pray to your lord. What should he save you for?” And continues with “Crucify. We design your end tonight.” And the song ends with “Crucify the vile kind.” This song is clearly pointed toward Christians, so much so that it’s laughable. Whether they intended to or not, Veil of Maya delivered a song about the holy Christian martyrs, past and present and future. It brings to mind John 15:18 where Jesus said “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.”
There’s only one inaccuracy that demands correction: the lyric “We divide your soul tonight” is not accurate due to the fact that neither man nor devil can divide a soul. Other than that, this song is a vivid memorial to those glorified martyrs.
“Red Fur” is another song that expertly balances the dichotomy between brutal and soft that can be found in great Metal music.
I definitely appreciate the other songs on this album, not just the ones I’ve mentioned, but this post would be too long if I went into detail on each one. So I’ll end it here. [m]other was a pleasant surprise for me, and I’m glad I gave it a chance.
Tuesday I’ll be posting about the process of building my own website, so that’s definitely a post to look out for.
Until then I hope you have a wonderful day,
Colin J Switalski
Leave a Reply
Thank you for your feedback.