Not to be confused with that crabcore band we can’t stop making fun of here at MetalSucks, The Attack are a Florida-based group that intentionally straddles the line between classic hardcore and old school melodic street punk. Distinct from the toughguy and metallic sounds dominating the hardcore scene, their catchy throwback-style tunes caught the attention of groups like Cro-Mags, H20, and Leatherface, all of whom have included the band on upcoming live dates. But if the tacit endorsement of such key hardcore acts isn’t enough for you, go ahead and download “Prove It,” [this download is longer available] one of the best tracks from their upcoming full length Of Nostalgia And Rebellion, due out February 16th.

Like what you hear? Good! Be sure to buy a copy of the album and catch the band at one of their upcoming dates. The H20 shows are part of the group’s 15th Anniversary Tour, and other openers for the New York and Philly gigs include Maximum Penalty and Trapped Under Ice, two great hardcore bands I’ve profiled here before. The Attack are in very good company. All dates below.

Click to read more…

Late last December, I braved some bitter winter weather to catch NYHC pioneers Cro-Mags play an almost intolerably crowded gig at Andrew W.K.’s Santos Party Haus. And boy, was it worth it! With original vocalist John Joseph and drummer Mackie Jayson, alongside members of Leeway and Sick Of It All, the current incarnation–previously touring as Cro-Mags(Jam)–ripped through so many classic Age Of Quarrel cuts to the evident delight of a flailing, furious crowd of devotees. Thanks to the Intarwebz (and a courageous soul willing risk injury to record it), you can actually watch a full set from a couple days prior in Philadelphia here. But even such great footage isn’t the same as actually experiencing the band live. Well, thankfully, many of you will get the chance now that a number of Cro-Mags gigs have been announced.

Click to read more…

This morning, I received the following e-mail from reader Parker Werley:

“How does a band get to earn the proud badge of having -core in their genre?”

That’s a pretty simple question, but it’s also kind of thought provoking. So I thought maybe we could explore it here a little bit. Because, honestly, I’m not sure that I know what the answer is.

Click to read more…

(Rolling Stone ballot filled out by James Hetfield of Metallica.)

I just finished reading the latest issue of Rolling Stone (#1066/11.27.08) which has a cover story entitled “The 100 Greatest Singers of All Time.” Not surprisingly, the metal contingent representation is dismal. Oh sure, they tapped several genre luminaries to place their votes including Ian Astbury, Sebastian Bach, Alice Cooper, Chris Cornell, Ronnie James Dio, Sammy Hagar, James Hetfield, Tony Iommi, Maynard James Keenan, Geddy Lee, Peter Mensch (Q Prime Mgmt – Metallica, Queensryche), Ozzy Osbourne, Iggy Pop, and Scott Weiland, but what about the actual list? How many metalheads (or at least “rockers”) made the final cut?

Here are the pathetic results:

Click to read more…