Attica Rage: Road Dog

There is a serious dearth of quality UK Metal acts right now, so it is especially pleasing for me to have been sent the newest album by Glasgwegian act Attica Rage, as I am based just 50 or so miles away from the band's home town. So are Attica the future of UK Metal? Well, if you like crunchy, dirty riffs ala The Almighty, smart accessible hooks like those Gene Simmons was fire-spitting out during Revenge era Kiss and a touch everything from Motorhead or Metallica, to Therapy? and Sabbath, then there's a good possibility that they may well be.

In truth that is probably over stating things just a touch, however the promise shown on Road Dog, which is the second full length offering from Attica Rage leaves little doubt that they are a serious act to be reckoned with. The Almighty are possibly the best comparison for the band, especially with vocalist and guitarist Jonny Parr having a similar throaty rasp to a certain Ricky Warwick. However the gargantuan riffs, wrapped round hugely melodic swathes of guitar also point in this direction. Cleverly though Attica Rage also decide to mix things up with a few slower numbers and the odd burst of stoner rock. That said it is when Parr and his guitar mate Stephen Bell decide to really set out a mean stomping vibe which is thumped home by Big C on bass and Richie Rage on drums that this four-piece really smack home with aggressive intent. Crank up the volume, stick your head in between the speakers and revel in the wall of riffs that is "Contradictions", "36 Insane", or "Hacked For Vanity" and you'll soon be completely carried away with the fist in the face attack. "Road Dog Forever" brings a hard blues edge, while a huge stoner riff is wheeled out with "Through The Inner Eye", whereas "Back To The Old School Days" is out and out Almighty.

Add to that though the likes of "Altea" which is a short guitar and cello piece, the Metallica-esque slow track "Lost" and "Ashamed" which combines a grinding verse to the kind of chorus that Black Stone Cherry are making huge waves with right now and you have an album that really does cross over styles without ever losing focus.

Smart and assured Road Dog is undoubtedly an album which finds Attica Rage just a short step away from making a claim to being the best up and coming UK Metal act around. Keep up this kind of form and the crown could be all theirs!

Track Listing
1. 36 Insane
2. Hacked For Vanity
3. Road Dog Fever
4. Through The Inner Eye
5. Contradictions
6. Ashamed
7. High
8. Lost
9. Altea
10. Altered Reality
11. One Minute Silence
12. Change In The Iris
13. Swimming With Sharks
14. Back To The Old School

Added: October 7th 2011
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Attica Rage Official Site
Hits: 2021
Language: english

[ Printer Friendly Page ]
[ Send to a Friend ]