Formed in Weehawken, New Jersey, USA in 1983, then as Warloc. Changed their name to Attacker in 1984, and recorded a 3 track demo. Getting rave reviews in the underground metal press, and getting featured on the 'Metal Massacre V' compilation album, Attacker soon recorded their first full-length album. 'Battle At Helm's Deep' is one of the earliest metal albums to use the J.R.R. Tolkien's books as a source of inspiration. 1 more album saw the light of they in 1998, but eventually the band split up a year later. Attacker resurfaced once more in 2001.

Attacker 1985: Mike Sabatini (drums), Jim Mooney (guitars), Bob Mitchell (vocals), Pat Marinelli (guitars), Lou Ciarlo (bass)

BATTLE AT HELM'S DEEP (1985, 1999) SENTINEL STEEL 

Humble beginning for New Jersey's Attacker. After releasing a demo in 1984, the band was also featured on the infamous 'Metal Massacre V' compilation, on Brian Slagel's Metal Blade Records. Gaining a reputation through rave reviews in underground metal fanzines, such as Metal Forces and Midwest Militia, Attacker opted to record a full-length album instead of just an EP. It's strange listening to this album, originally recorded in 1985, some 20 years plus later, and realizing that there are still underground metal acts out there trying to recapture this sound today! Attacker were of the original power metal school. I cannot stress enough how power metal used to be a description for bands heavier than classic metal, but not as fast as thrash metal. Often would they have a lot of speed metal elements in their sound, and the NWOBHM sound was also there as an important building stone. And Attacker is a blueprint for such a band. 'Battle At Helm's Deep' might have been overlooked when it was new, but it is certainly a cult favorite amongst true power metal lovers today. Falsetto screams, galloping rhythms, blazing leads and crushing bass is what you get. I've really grown to see the charm of Bob Mitchell's voice since my first introduction to Attacker (see my 'Soul Taker' write-up). But I can still see that he might be an acquired taste for some. But as a fan of the genre, I'm having a great time with songs such as "The Wrath Of Nevermore", "Downfall" and the title track. I own the 1999 Sentinel Steel reissue of this album. It comes with new artwork, as well as the original one (both pictured above) and 4 bonus tracks. 3 of them are from the 1984 demo. The last one is an unreleased track named "Trapped". The extensive liner notes takes you through the first years in the history of the band, where you for example can read all about the story behind the cover art, and the various bass-players featured on this CD.

Killer tracks: The Wrath Of Nevermore, Downfall, Battle At Helm's Deep, Dance Of The Crazies, (Call On) The Attacker

Attacker 1987: Tom D'Amico (guitars) Mike Sabatini (drums), John Leone (vocals), Pat Marinelli (guitars), Lou Ciarlo (bass)

  THE SECOND COMING (1988, 1999) SENTINEL STEEL

It would take Attacker 3 years to follow up their debut album. By this time, time had sort of passed them by. Neglecting their deal with Metal Blade Records, loosing vocalist Bob Mitchell and guitarist Jim Mooney, and getting singed to the indifferent Mercenary Records. Thrash was the new rage in the metal circuits, but Attacker went in the opposite direction. Coming from the power/speed metal genre themselves, 'The Second Coming' saw them writing more streamlined material. Don't get this wrong though, Attacker never became a pop-metal band, or anything even close to the hair metal bands of the 80's. This is still US power metal with shrieking high pitched vocals and galloping rhythms. So I think the slight differences between 'Battle At Helm's Deep' and 'The Second Coming' might be due as much to growth as to anything overtly planned change of directions. And to be honest, I think I might prefer 'The Second Coming' thus making it my favorite Attacker album. This kind of metal has grown on me immensely over the years, as it is the real deal rather then some calculated grab at stardom. Metal was huge during the 80's, and there is no denying that many bands followed trends. But not bands like Attacker. And I'm glad I till can enjoy their material 20 years after it's release. And thanks to Sentinel Steel Records I know own this gem, complete with 3 bonus demo tracks, recorded in 1986. They were recorded after John Leone was recruited as the new singer, but before Jim Mooney left. As usual the booklet is great, with the continuation of the bands story, started in the booklet for the reissue of the debut album.

Fun fact: The song "Emanon" is just "No Name" spelled backwards!

Killer tracks: Lords Of Thunder, Zero Hour, Captives Of Babylon, The Madness

Attacker 2003: Back: Mike Sabatini (drums), Pat Marinelli (guitar), Mike Benetatos (guitar), Front: Felix Torres (bass), Bob Mitchell (vocals)
 

SOUL TAKER (2004) IRON GLORY

Being unfamiliar with the bands back catalogue, I was still intrigued to check them out due to a friends suggestion. Attacker released 2 albums during the 80's. Both of those share a semi-classic cult status. Now the band is back, and the result is 'Soul Taker'. After some internet investigation I found out that this band has had 2 singers in the past; one on each album. And the singer on 'Soul Taker' is the same as the one on their debut. Turns out the second vocalist died in 1994. So Bob was once again brought back in Attacker's ranks. And I think he is the weakest link on this album. The record company tries to liken him to King Diamond. And while I can hear some similarities, I still find that statement to be farfetched. The music is traditional American power metal, not unlike older Savatage and Metal Church. Fact is, Bob's voice some times sounds a bit like ol' David Wayne (Metal Church, Wayne, Reverend). And the tracks where he doesn't use the strained high pitched vocals screams, but rather singing in a mid-range tone, are by far the best tracks on the album. The more I play this album, the more I like it. I don't know if you find "charming" to be a good adjective to describe a heavy metal album. But that is what comes up while I listen to 'Soul Taker'. This is real metal! "Until We Meet Again" is a tribute to the 2 former Attacker members who tragically died to early.

Killer tracks: Soul Taker, The Conquerors, Raging Fist, Until We Meet Again

THE UNKNOWN (2006) SENTINEL STEEL

Attacker rides the true metal renaissance wave, and returns with yet another glorious power metal effort. They have been fortunate enough to enjoy their second coming (pun intended), and they are probably better known world wide know then they were back when they were signed to Metal Blade the first time around. 'The Unknown' is the name of this release, and it delivers some of the bands strongest tunes to date. Balancing between heavy metal, and speed metal, this is yet another stunning piece of music, delivered by New Jersey's premier power metal band. Lou Ciarlo is back on bass, but the rest of the band is the same as on 2004's 'Soul Taker'. The ball opens with "This Is Power", and that is one self-explanatory title! "Anger Aggression" follows in the same fierce manner. "Blessed With This Curse" is yet another choice cut, albeit a bit more mid-paced than the first 2. And so I could go on throughout the entire CD. Bob Mitchell sings better than ever, and he just wails on and on throughout the entire album. He reminds me of a young and hungry David Wayne (Metal Church, Reverend). The production is also much better here then on any previous Attacker album, and every instrument is heard clearly. The sufficient bottom end is preserved, and it is a powerful overall sound on the album, that keeps from sounding modern or sterile. This is just good old molten metal, as it should be! The liner notes say that the last 3 tracks are bonus tracks. But I have no idea if there exists any version without these songs. Perhaps the limited vinyl album?

Killer tracks: This Is Power, Blessed With This Curse, Devil's War

Attacker also appear on:  

V/A - 'True Metal Triumphant Volume One'

Related artists:

Hades