Long Island New York's Hard Attack have just released their sixth album, titled Push It, a self-produced, very raw and unpolished affair that basically sounds like your garden variety demo recording. Hard Attack have a knack for late 80's metal, along the lines of Motley Crue, Riot, and Ratt, but they also mix in some modern rap for good measure. Does it work? Well, they have good intentions for sure. Guitarist Frank Petrello is a flashy player, and bassist Rich Herschlag & drummer Doub Bellicose hold down a formidable rhythm section, but I find that these guys are just all over the place and lack any cohesion to their sound. On "Mama You Found a Way" the band mixes some nice atmosphere and tasty lead guitar with Rob Halford influenced vocals from Guy Zarzana, but then on "Push It" and "Old School" they combine Too Fast For Love era Motley Crue and rap for a sound that just comes across as a tad cheesy. "More Than Friends" again shows their Crue side, but its on "You'll Never Catch Me in Love" where the band seems to work best, utilizing meaty guitar riffs and a catchy chorus that would make the Crue or even Ratt proud.
To make matters worse, the production here is really bad, levels are low and murky, and at times the guitars and vocals are generally just very muddy. This obviously was done with some love and meant to be fun-these guys have some talent, and I'm sure just do this on the side while they balance families and jobs. My suggestion-get a producer, drop the rap vocals, and be what you are, which is a fun retro-80's hard rock/ metal band.
Track Listing
1) Push It
2) More Than Friends
3) Old School
4) Promised Land
5) You'll Never Catch Me in Love
6) Mama You Found a Way
7) Fly On
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