The gang is back! Famed American metallers ATTACKER are celebrating their 40th anniversary with their newest studio foray and I am absolutely excited writing about it!
Bands like ATTACKER are the definition of both excellence and resilience as far as real, unyielding metal is concerned. Emerging from the hallowed grounds of New Jersey, these stalwart champions of the genre have returned after an agonizing eight-year hiatus with the opus named “The God Particle”, a triumphant return that reaffirms their status as legends in the US power metal scene.
From the very first note, it’s abundantly clear that ATTACKER hasn’t lost an ounce of their signature vigor. Despite the passage of time, there’s a freshness to their sound that feels invigorating, proof of their unwavering commitment to both staying true to their roots and NEVER give up playing.
The album’s opening track, “Knights of Terror”, serves as a thunderous declaration of intent. With blistering riffs, soaring vocals, and an unrelenting rhythm section, it’s a masterclass in power metal excellence. ATTACKER doesn’t just deliver; they dominate with a prowess that can only come from four decades of honing their craft.
But what truly sets their new album apart is its ability to capture the essence of ATTACKER‘s storied career while pushing boundaries in all the right ways. Tracks like “Kingdom of Iron” and “Curse of Creation” pay homage to the band’s heritage while injecting a newfound energy that’s impossible to resist. Meanwhile, songs like “River of Souls” and “The Mighty Have Fallen” showcase a maturity and depth that comes only with experience, serving as a poignant reminder of ATTACKER‘s precious legacy.
As the album draws to a close, with title-track pounding furiously until the very end, one thing becomes abundantly clear: bands like ATTACKER aren’t just relics of the past; they’re living, breathing testaments to the enduring power of metal, standing as a beacon of authenticity and integrity, reminding us all why we fell in love with this music in the first place.
The band has almost the same line-up as the one in 2010’s albums – “Giants of Canaan” (2013) and “Sins of the World” (2016). Bobby Lucas still delivers some UNBELIEVABLE vocals, Mike Benetatos now shares the AMAZING guitar work with Jon Hasselbrink, Mike Sabatini is always behind the drum kit, and together with Brian Smith on bass, they form a RAVAGING rhythm-section.
In 2024, as they celebrate their 40th anniversary in the metal business, ATTACKER prove that they’re not just survivors; they’re conquerors, still shaking the US scene with the same ferocity and passion that propelled them to greatness all those years ago. “The God Particle” isn’t just an album; it’s a statement: true metal never dies! And as long as bands like ATTACKER are around, neither will our love for it.
“The God Particle” was released on April 12th by Cruz Del Sur Records on all formats – CD, LP and digital.
ps: since the great physicist Peter Higgs, father of so-called “The God Particle” (Higgs boson) has passed away only a few days ago, it seems just right to dedicate this album review to the great minds that help humanity go further, one step at a time, yet always onwards.
Check the discussion about the album in our forum pages.
You can order both the CD and the LP here.
