Attack!!

Attack! is a 1956 American black-and-white war film directed by Robert Aldrich and produced by the Associates & Aldrich Company, starring Jack Palance as the courageous Lieutenant Joe Costa, Eddie Albert as the cowardly Captain Erskine Cooney, and Lee Marvin as the influential Lieutenant Colonel Clyde Bartlett.^[1] Adapted from Norman Brooks' 1952 Broadway play Fragile Fox, the film is set during the final months of World War II in Belgium, amid the Battle of the Bulge, where it explores themes of military incompetence, cowardice, and the brutal realities of combat through the story of a National Guard unit's perilous mission to secure a key crossroads at Malmedy.^[1] Released by United Artists on October 10, 1956, with a runtime of 107 minutes, Attack! was groundbreaking for its unflinching portrayal of leadership failures and moral dilemmas in the U.S. Army, diverging from the more heroic war films of the era by emphasizing the psychological toll of war and the consequences of nepotism and fear.^[2] The production was filmed on location in Agoura and Triunfo, California, utilizing practical sets to recreate the harsh European battlefield environment, and it received critical acclaim for its tense screenplay by James Poe and Aldrich's dynamic direction, earning a 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on contemporary reviews.^[1][2] Notable for its ensemble cast, including supporting performances by Buddy Ebsen, Robert Strauss, and Richard Jaeckel, the film highlights the interpersonal conflicts within Fragile Fox Company as Cooney's decisions lead to tragic outcomes, ultimately forcing the surviving soldiers to confront and rectify the chain of command's flaws.^[1]

Background

Development

Following the release of the more experimental and AOR-influenced Alchemy in 1999, Yngwie Malmsteen aimed to revitalize his signature high-speed neoclassical metal sound with Attack!!, drawing on faster guitar scales and classical integrations to recapture the aggressive shredding spirit of his 1980s work.^[3] This shift marked a deliberate departure from the subdued power metal leanings of his late-1990s albums, prioritizing technical virtuosity and hard rock swagger over melodic experimentation.^[3] Central to this creative pivot was the recruitment of vocalist Doogie White, formerly of Rainbow, whose authoritative and gritty rock delivery provided a harder-edged contrast to the high-pitched, operatic style of prior collaborator Mark Boals on albums like Trilogy.^[3] Malmsteen selected White for his vocal range and rock 'n' roll intensity, which complemented the album's neoclassical shred elements and added a 1970s-inspired edge reminiscent of Deep Purple.^[4] White's involvement followed the departure of Mark Boals after the War to End All Wars album and tour, positioning Attack!! as the start of a new era for Malmsteen's Rising Force project.^[3] Songwriting commenced in early 2002, with Malmsteen leading the composition of guitar-centric anthems that blended speed metal aggression and baroque-inspired melodies, as White later recalled in discussing the collaborative process.^[4] This preparatory phase emphasized renewed technical exploration, setting the foundation for the album's 15 tracks without delving into full production execution.^[3]

Personnel changes

For the album Attack!!, Yngwie Malmsteen introduced Doogie White, formerly of Rainbow and Cornerstone, as the new lead vocalist, marking a shift to a more aggressive yet melodic delivery that contrasted with previous singers.^[5] White's powerful, emotive style brought added emotional depth to the album's power metal elements, helping to elevate tracks with soaring choruses and dynamic range.^[6] This change aligned with Malmsteen's long-standing pattern of rotating vocalists to refresh his band's sound across albums. Derek Sherinian, previously with Dream Theater, joined as the primary keyboardist, enhancing the album's classical orchestration with intricate layers that amplified Malmsteen's Bach-inspired motifs and neoclassical flourishes.^[5] Sherinian's virtuoso contributions provided richer harmonic support, blending progressive rock sensibilities with the guitarist's signature speed and technicality.^[7] Former keyboardist Mats Olausson contributed to select tracks following his departure from the band. The core rhythm section saw changes, with Randy Coven returning on bass for solid low-end drive, while Patrick Johansson joined on drums, ensuring a tight foundation amid the lineup shifts.^[5] These adjustments preserved the group's cohesive energy while allowing the new members to inject fresh influences into the overall neoclassical metal framework.^[8]

Recording and production

Studio sessions

The recording of Attack!! occurred from April to June 2002 primarily at Studio 308 in Miami, Florida, with drums captured at Baroque & Roll Studios in the same city.^[9] This timeline encompassed both tracking and mixing, allowing the project to wrap within under three months to sustain creative momentum and spontaneity.^[9] Sessions were intensive, featuring daily work led by producer Yngwie Malmsteen and engineer Tom Fletcher.^[5] New vocalist Doogie White and keyboardist Derek Sherinian joined the lineup for these recordings, bringing fresh dynamics to the band.^[5] White tracked his lead vocals over 16 days, completing each song in just two takes to emphasize raw energy, aggression, and passion as directed by Malmsteen.^[10] Sherinian contributed keyboard parts alongside the core ensemble, enhancing the album's layered sound.^[5]

Technical aspects

The album Attack!! was self-produced by Yngwie Malmsteen, with engineering for recording and mixing conducted from April to June 2002 at his home studio, Studio 308, in Miami, Florida, by Tom Fletcher. Drums were tracked separately at Baroque & Roll Studios in Miami to capture their dynamic punch, while the overall mastering was performed by Brad Vance at DNA Mastering in Los Angeles, California, ensuring a polished final product. This setup allowed for a controlled environment tailored to Malmsteen's vision, emphasizing precision in capturing intricate performances.^[11][12] Malmsteen's guitar setup centered on his signature Fender Stratocaster models from the late 1960s to early 1970s, featuring scalloped rosewood fingerboards, a DiMarzio HS-3 pickup in the bridge position, and custom DiMarzio YJM stacked humbucker pickups in the middle and neck positions to balance single-coil clarity with humbucker sustain and reduced noise under high gain. These instruments, strung with light gauges .008, .011, .014, .026w, .036, .048 and tuned a half-step down for enhanced speed and articulation, were amplified through Marshall stacks—typically JCM800 heads—to produce the aggressive, high-gain neoclassical tones that define the album's shred-heavy sound. This combination delivered sharp attack and harmonic richness essential for Malmsteen's rapid scalar runs and sweeps, as highlighted in contemporary interviews.^[13][14] Keyboard contributions from Derek Sherinian added symphonic depth to the album's baroque-inspired motifs, drawing from his progressive rock background to blend seamlessly with the metal framework; his parts were recorded in Miami.^[15] The production was noted for its improved clarity and instrument definition compared to Malmsteen's prior releases.^[16]

Musical content

Style and influences

Attack!! exemplifies neoclassical heavy metal, characterized by intricate shred guitar work, rapid tempos, and a fusion of classical motifs with power metal structures. The album emphasizes Malmsteen's signature neoclassical approach, where electric guitar emulates violin techniques through sweeping arpeggios and diminished scales, creating a dramatic tension that bridges baroque composition with modern heavy metal aggression. This style draws heavily from 1980s speed metal traditions, incorporating uptempo rhythms and anthemic choruses to heighten the sense of urgency and virtuosity.^[17][18] Central to the album's sound are Malmsteen's longstanding influences from classical composers, particularly Johann Sebastian Bach, whose "Air on the G String" receives a direct adaptation with co-credit, reimagined as an acoustic guitar interlude that underscores the neoclassical foundation. Niccolò Paganini's violin concertos inspire the album's phrasing, with guitar lines mimicking the fiery, technical precision of 19th-century violin virtuosity amid heavy riffs. These elements blend with broader hard rock influences from 1970s acts like Deep Purple and Rainbow, evident in the swaggering rhythms and melodic hooks that ground the technical excess in accessible power metal dynamics.^{[19][20][21][17]} Compared to the preceding Alchemy (1999), which leaned toward instrumental exploration with varied pacing, Attack!! accelerates the tempo across many tracks, prioritizing high-energy shred sequences and vocal-driven anthems to evolve Malmsteen's sound into a more aggressive, chorus-oriented format. This shift amplifies the use of diminished scales and arpeggios not just as solos but as structural devices to evoke baroque drama within a contemporary metal context, enhancing the album's theatrical intensity. The neoclassical framework remains dominant, but the integration of Doogie White's powerful vocals adds a layer of power metal uplift, distinguishing it from earlier, more solo-centric works.^[18][7]

Track analysis

The album Attack!! exemplifies Yngwie Malmsteen's neoclassical metal approach through its track structures, blending aggressive riffs, intricate guitar work, and vocal dynamics across its songs. "Razor Eater" serves as the album's opener, launching with a riff-driven assault featuring a plodding, hypnotic groove that anchors Malmsteen's flashy scale runs and rapid scalar passages, creating a high-energy foundation. Doogie White's soaring vocals cut through the mix, delivering lyrics about a dark, insatiable entity inspired by horror themes, while the track builds tension through seamless integration of guitars and drums.^[22][23] As the penultimate epic, "Valhalla" evokes Norse mythology through its thematic lyrics urging warriors to the battlefield with references to swords, shields, Thor's hammer, and feasting in the gods' halls, culminating in an extended guitar solo section with two dynamic leads that alternate between speed and groove. The structure begins with thunderous effects and a cool riff, progressing to a distinctive chorus and nuanced pacing that balances fast neoclassical runs with orchestral keyboard swells from Derek Sherinian, reinforcing the heroic valor narrative.^[24] "Air" reimagines Johann Sebastian Bach's "Air on the G String" as an instrumental interlude, rendering the classical melody on acoustic guitar with fingerings, trills, and expressive vibrato over a slow build that spans just over two minutes. This adaptation maintains the original's serene essence, providing a calm classical conclusion amid the album's intensity.^[19] "Majestic Blue" stands out as a pure shred instrumental, showcasing Malmsteen's virtuoso techniques including finger-tapping, sweep picking, and dual-guitar harmonies with panning effects, starting with an altered tone before shifting to his signature sound for slow, melodic soloing that emphasizes technical precision and emotional depth. Throughout Attack!!, lyrics centered on warfare and heroism—such as battles, proud deaths, and divine rewards—permeate vocal tracks, contrasted by classical interludes like the Bach adaptation and shred-focused instrumentals that highlight Malmsteen's fusion of metal aggression with baroque influences.^[25]

Release and promotion

Commercial formats

The standard edition of Attack!! was released on compact disc in the United States through Spitfire Records, featuring 14 tracks with a total runtime of 64:04.^[26] This version includes core album tracks such as "Razor Eater," "Attack!," and "Valhalla," presented in a standard jewel case packaging.^[27] The Japanese edition expanded the album to 16 tracks by adding the exclusive bonus tracks "Air" (2:35) and "Nobody's Fool" (3:42), a previously unreleased song written by Yngwie Malmsteen.^[28] This regional variant was issued by Pony Canyon (PCCY-01582, September 4, 2002) and included additional packaging elements like obi strips and photocards.^[28] The Korean edition, issued by Ponycanyon Korea (PCKD 00111, 2002), followed a similar expanded format.^[29] A limited US edition, distributed via Epic Records (EK75421, 2003), incorporated two bonus tracks: the studio outtake "Battlefield" (3:26) and a live recording of "Dreaming (Angels and Demons)" (9:17), extending the runtime significantly.^[9][30] This version totaled 16 tracks and was aimed at collectors, highlighting live performance elements from Malmsteen's catalog.^[31] Following its initial physical release, Attack!! became available through digital platforms such as Spotify starting around 2002 onward, typically offering the expanded 16-track tracklist without notable remasters or audio enhancements.^[32] These reissues maintain the original 2002 production quality and have ensured ongoing accessibility across streaming services. As of 2025, the album remains available on major streaming platforms like Spotify in its expanded 16-track format.^[32]

Marketing efforts

Attack!! was released on October 15, 2002, in Europe through Steamhammer Records, with the U.S. release following on November 5, 2002, via Spitfire Records.^[33] The lead single, "Razor Eater," was promoted with a music video that incorporated live performance footage from Malmsteen's early tour dates, emphasizing his high-speed neoclassical style.^[26] To support the album, Malmsteen embarked on a 2002-2003 world tour, commencing in November 2002 with European legs and extending to U.S. dates in 2003. The tour showcased the touring lineup featuring vocalist Doogie White and keyboardist Joey Summers, performing tracks from Attack!! alongside classics.^[34] Promotional media efforts included interviews in Metal Hammer magazine, where Malmsteen discussed the album as an "attack" on musical critics and his commitment to technical virtuosity. In-store appearances took place in Japan during the December 2002 tour stops, allowing fans to meet the artist and purchase signed copies. Additionally, a promotional tie-in with guitar magazines distributed album samplers featuring preview tracks like "Attack!!" to build anticipation among instrumental rock enthusiasts.^[35][36]

Reception

Critical reviews

Upon its release, Attack!! garnered mixed critical reception, with reviewers praising Yngwie Malmsteen's virtuoso guitar work while critiquing aspects of composition and production. AllMusic assigned it a 3-out-of-5-star rating based on user averages equivalent to 6.3/10, highlighting the album's shred solos as a standout feature but observing that the song structures often feel fragmented and disjointed. User-generated reviews on Encyclopaedia Metallum averaged around 67% from multiple contributors, lauding the album's blistering speed and neoclassical flair but pointing to vocal mismatches, particularly in slower tracks where Doogie White's delivery clashed with the material.^[3] A 2005 staff review on Sputnikmusic rated it 4 out of 5, commending the emotional depth in verses of tracks like "Valhalla" and the soaring neoclassical highs throughout, though noting a lack of variety that could make extended listens fatiguing.^[37] Across these and other outlets, common praises centered on Malmsteen's technical mastery and his seamless integration of Bach-inspired neoclassical elements into heavy metal frameworks, which showcased his signature speed and precision.^{[3] [37]} Criticisms frequently addressed the overly busy production, marked by muddy mixing and odd panning that overwhelmed the arrangements, alongside a dated power metal aesthetic that felt formulaic compared to his earlier innovations.^[3] In retrospective assessments, such as a 2023 analysis on Metal Music Archives, Attack!! is regarded as a solid mid-career effort in Malmsteen's discography, recapturing some of his pioneering neoclassical energy despite not matching the inspiration of his 1980s peak.^[38]

Commercial performance

Attack!! achieved modest commercial success following its October 2002 release. In Japan, the album sold 27,530 copies, as tracked by Oricon charts.^[39] It also recorded 5,331 sales in South Korea according to RIAK and Gaon data.^[39] The release did not appear on major international charts such as the US Billboard 200, reflecting limited mainstream penetration in North America during its debut period. No significant certifications were issued for the album by organizations like the RIAA or equivalent bodies worldwide. Distributed by the German label Steamhammer/SPV in Europe, Attack!! benefited from regional availability and Malmsteen's dedicated following in the metal community, contributing to steady catalog sales over the years among neoclassical and heavy metal enthusiasts.^[28] Despite this loyal base, the album's performance was tempered by the era's shift toward nu-metal dominance in the broader rock market.^[40] By 2025, streaming platforms had amplified its reach.