Review: Attila - Rage
Attila has built quite the polarizing reputation over their nearly 15 year career. Some view the band as a black mark and embarrassment to the core scene with their partying lyrics and over-the-top image. While some others have grown a fondness for the Atlanta group, through their fun-loving nature and frontman Chris Fronzak’s charismatic personality. It really all depends how you view Attila. Personally I view them as a band who is often sarcastic and comical with a keen business sense while fully aware of their polarizing nature and wise enough to use it to capitalize on the attention it attracts. We are here today to discuss the bands breakout release, Rage, distributed in 2010 and instantly putting the Georgia natives on the core map.
If you’re a very self-serious, I’ll let you know upfront, you’re not going to enjoy Rage. The bands third full-length effort goes full-on party metal and once you take it for what it is and resist analyzing the lyrics like a philosopher, I think most will find much joy in this record. Rage is easily still Attila’s most clear cut metalcore album to date with much less deathcore and guttural vocals than the group usually employs. Fronzak will probably never get the credit for what an outstanding extreme metal vocalist he is due to his outlandish personality but he’s capable of doing nearly any style of harsh vocals and it‘s truly impressive.
The clear standout trait of Rage to me personally is the riffing. This is the bands first record in which lead guitarist Chris Linck truly establishes himself as one of the best players in the scene. The riffs in songs such as Lights out, Rage, and Make It Sick sound instantly classic and will stay in your head until your brain forces you to listen to them over and over again. In fact, Lights Out is perhaps my favorite Attila song in their entire discography with it’s dazzling vocal patterning into progressive style riffs, it’s truly one of the best metalcore tracks of 2010.
The best way to describe Rage as an album is pure fun. I can see the argument that on Attila’s following records they went a bit far on the vulgarity at times just for the sake of it, however on this one the vibe conveyed is more of a good-time party with friends nature. This is one of a small handful of records that makes me happy every time I hear it. It’s undeniable that Rage gives off positive energy with the spirit of not letting others tell you how to live your life. While it took me quite awhile to give Attila a fair chance, this album is what kicked down the door for me, allowing me to enjoy the bands other material.
In closing, while Rage is held in high regard by some, I feel as though it actually deserves more credit than it tends to get. Many critics hated this album at the time of it’s release due to it‘s party friendly style and I don’t think most music journalist will ever come around to this release but for fans of core music this should be essential listening if you enjoy nice riffs and interesting, impressive vocal passages. This is a record I listen to around once a month because it’s unbelievably addicting. This classic gets 4.5 out of 5 stars from us