Mind Equals Blown

Attila Outlawed

Partycore | Artery Recordings

MEB Rating:

5.5

User Rating:

6.0

3 Ratings

I must admit, listening to Attila is an entertaining experience. The self-dubbed party-metal quintet from Atlanta have returned with a third full-length album, Outlawed, which improves on the band’s overall sound, while not trying anything drastically new.

With highly sought-after scene producer Joey Sturgis producing the record, fans can rest easy because though Sturgis is infamous for continually producing albums which all sound the same, Outlawed doesn’t disappoint. The guitars are thick but not sludgy, though the drums sound a little too-samey and programmed – which is atypical of a record involving Sturgis.

Vocalist Chris Fronzak’s screams have improved, possessing a far more guttural and less whiny quality. Fronzak bellows, shrieks and even strays into rap (“Nothing Left to Say” and “Another Round” demonstrate this aptly), which stands out all the more due to the general lack of invention from his band mates, who stick closely to the fundamentals of the genre – which for better or for worse, draws your attention to the well-executed vocal parts.

And… Now we come to the lyrics. Don’t get your hopes up for anything particularly in-depth here (I mean, come on. Attila’s a party-metal band.), as Fronzak screams his way through some pretty juvenile and obscene commentaries on sex, parties and whatever the “partycore” scene partakes in. Don’t believe me? Listen to “Nasty Mouth,” then get back to me.

The musicianship on the album sorely disappoints on the creativity scale, carrying a burly, country-flavoured theme throughout, as hints of it appear in the solos and chord progressions. Guitarists Nate Salameh and Chris Linck are more than capable with their instruments and though functional, the guitars contribute a lot to the entertainment value of the album.

I haven’t picked out any outstanding tracks because, put simply, the tracks as standalone songs aren’t very discernible. Every song is slathered in breakdowns, obligatory guitar solos and an immense amount of double bass kicks. Once in a while, an interesting vocal part will catch your attention, but other than that, nothing else strives to grab you by the ears and make you interested.

It isn’t all bad though. To be frank, I found Outlawed to be vastly entertaining. The vocals don’t disappoint, and though the riffs aren’t new, the band shuffles the parts around enough to make the songs fun to headbang along to. If Attila’s displayed any growth from Rage to Outlawed, then it’s been in keeping the entertainment value high throughout. If you’re looking for an album to sit your ass down to, then you’ll be sorely disappointed. I mean, it is a party-metal album after all.

You don’t go to a party to have an intellectual conversation; you go to let loose and have a rollicking good time. And you know what? Outlawed is that party. Leave your brain at home, turn up the volume and have some fun; Attila’s already there, why aren’t you?

Author: Shaun Tan View Staff Page for Shaun Tan

I live in Singapore, where the its blazing hot for nine months of the year and soaked in torrential rain for the other three months. My musical tastes tend towards post-hardcore and metalcore, though I enjoy the soft whisperings of indie folk music just as much. I also specialize in taking bad photos of music gigs and smashing guitars.

(3 votes, average: 6.00 out of 10)

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