Droids Attack – Must Destroy
When your debut release wins awards, and then its predecessor continues to elevate your band to greater heights, then your third full and follow-up release really, in most cases, will be your make or break record. On this assumption for Madison based Droids Attack, the future is certainly looking bright. The sound of their acclaimed previous releases have lumped the band well and truly into the stoner rock genre, which I would imagine for them is great thing, as they cite their main influences as Helmet, Black Sabbath & Clutch.
Within the first few bars of 'The Unforgiven 4', which opens "Must Destroy", it is clear for the world to see that the aforementioned acts have played a huge part in shaping both Droids Attack's sound and ethos. Heavy, loud and slowly drawn out chord progressions will fill your speakers to their absolute capacity which is kind of reminiscent of Sabbath's 'War Pigs', wrapped around that certain groove, which I think anyone within that scene would associate with Helmet's seminal record "Meantime". So powerful in essence there seems little hurry to hear guitarist/vocalist Brad Van spread his word, but when he eventually does there's little room for disappointment. Firm and authoritative is the only stance which will stand up to this barrage of pounding charge and by God does this guy deliver. Vocally, we are subjected to a carbon copy of Neil Fallon, Clutch's enigmatic front man. So here we are talking the real deal...both powerful & persuasive.
This is a more than solid release. To be categorized, I guess in essence previous pigeon-holing would be on the money as this release would again fall perfectly into the stoner rock genre, but Droids Attack clearly have a lot more to offer. There's a real punk vibe going on within their craft. Usually when a band dares state their influences and that sound is clearly on show throughout their product, it leaves critics with an easy swipe to give it the 'same old same old...' or 'just a rip off...nothing new going on here...', but with Droids Attack it's a different affair altogether. Yes their sound is more than reminiscent of the aforementioned but these elements are blended together with a new and unique feel. In this JLS or Lady GaGa world, which most of us are struggling to get by in, it's a real breath of fresh air, to be taken back to greener pastures when music truly rocked. As their press release suggests, "it really is fun to have your ass kicked this good".