Attack Attack! Prove They’re No One Hit Wonder on First U.S. Tour in Over a Decade

Friday, September 5th might not mean a lot to people, but for the legendary metalcore band Attack Attack!, it marks the halfway point in their first full U.S. headliner tour in over 13 years. You would think a band that hasn’t toured in over a decade might be a bit rusty, but having half of a full U.S. tour under your belt on your comeback run, it looks like they never stopped. To celebrate this long-awaited return, Attack Attack! brought with them Savage Hands and Versus Me.

Setting off the night was Versus Me, all the way from Wisconsin. While this was my first time ever seeing them live, they instantly won me over with their aggressive riffs, powerful breakdowns, and soaring melodies that balanced their intensity. Their most recent single, “Snakes,” held the best reaction of their set and easily became my favorite song of theirs. Energetic, dark, moody, and most importantly super entertaining, Versus Me set the bar very high for the entire evening.

Savage Hands followed up, bringing their unique vision and blend of nu-metal riffs with catchy, unforgettable hooks. Even if you think you’ve never heard this band before, you’ve most likely already heard their singles “Halo” or “Demon,” and one thing’s for certain — the crowd would make sure you knew every word. Their newest single, “Trust Issues,” further showcased how refined their sound has become, leaving fans asking for more songs before they even left the stage.

As the lights dimmed and a mysterious announcer began, the anticipation was at its peak. For many fans — including myself — who haven’t seen Attack Attack! since around 2011, it felt like a long-awaited reunion. Absolutely spoiling longtime fans, Attack Attack!’s setlist covered their entire career. Blending in tons of new material from their first full-length album in over 13 years, Attack Attack! II, and reaching as far back as their 2008 full-length Someday Came Suddenly, an album that helped shape a generation of metalcore (and a new revival of scenecore music), the next hour would be a nonstop party. Tracks from Attack Attack! II stood out as highlights for me specifically, and by the time they were closing out their set with “Smokahontas” and “Stick Stickly,” the room was a celebration of the band’s legacy and their new rebirth. I was 15 years old all over again.

This night and this tour should be seen as a reminder of metalcore’s longevity and staying power. From Versus Me’s rising momentum with a more modern metalcore sound, to Savage Hands’ new-wave riffs and hooks, and Attack Attack! looking like they never took a single day off, each band brought something unique to themselves. As a collective, this tour showcased nostalgia with fresh, new energy— a perfect way to summarize Attack Attack!’s rebirth.