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LIVE REVIEW of ATTACKER’S RETURN PERFORMANCE @ MAXWELL'S - Hoboken, NJ
12/13/03
By Al Kikuras
Metal returned to Hoboken, NJ in a big way on December 13th, 2003 when the re-formed ATTACKER played their first show in 15 years at Maxwell's.
Openers October 31 warmed the crowd up with a raucous set featuring their brand of melodic, balls-out true metal, peppered with covers of Saxon and classic Motley Crue. What October 31 front man King Fowley (of
Deceased fame) lacks in voice, he more than makes up for in attitude. October 31 are metal through and through.
ATTACKER took the stage to a packed house that included metal luminaries such as Billy Milano (S.O.D./M.O.D.), Mark Edwards (Overlorde), Jack Frost (Seven Witches), Rob Oriani (Vyndykator) and Steve Ratchen
(Vyndykator/Alchemy-X). The band opened with the classic "Emanon" before launching into a one-two punch of "The End" and "Sleepy Hollow," tracks off the forthcoming Soul Taker album
that declared with all the subtlety of an atom bomb that these metal legends still have it!
If you had to guess which guy had just farted, who would you pick?
Attacker play with all the aggression and edge that they had a decade and a half ago and then some. The dual guitar attack of Pat Martinelli and Mike Benetatos was in fine form, deftly alternating
between twin-guitar harmonies and speedy thrash picking with ease. Mike Sabatini was rock solid at the kit, never overplaying, but rather tastefully driving this metallic beast. Bob Mitchell, as always,
sounded great. Like a fine wine, the man's voice gets better with age. Experience is truly a potent spice. He has the relaxed attitude and ability to make it all seem effortless of Frank Sinatra or Dean
Martin, with all the balls of a true metal screamer like Rob Halford. New bassist Felix Torres really stepped up to the plate, delivering not only a masterful four-string performance, but also showcasing
vocal prowess backing up Bob throughout the show.
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The band paid tribute to fallen brothers John Leone (vocals on The Second Coming) and Jim Mooney (guitars) not only in words, but also in music. Bob did ample justice to John's work on The Second
Coming, playing "Revelations of Evil," "Captives of Babylon," and "Lords of Thunder" in addition to the aforementioned "Emanon."
Former bassist Lou Ciarlo also made a special guest appearance, embracing Bob on stage and singing the band praises for doing the band's name justice.
The crowd was rabid and the band raging. It was truly a great feeling to be part of the sea of spikes, hair, and fists at the front of the stage, witness to Attacker's return. - Al Kikuras
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