"Attack"
In the center, the words "ATTACK", "30 Seconds to Mars" and four symbols (₪ ᴓ III ·o.) are written in white font, with the "30" in bold. On the black background appears a branch with three thorns.
Single by Thirty Seconds to Mars
from the album A Beautiful Lie
ReleasedMay 3, 2005 (2005-05-03)
Recorded2004–2005 at Pulse Recording, Los Angeles, California; The Laboratory, Los Angeles, California; The Center for the Advancement of the Arts and Sciences of Sound, Alaska; Lionshead Studios, South Africa; Circle in the Square Studio, New York City, New York
Genre
Length3:08
Label
Songwriter(s)Jared Leto
Producer(s)
Thirty Seconds to Mars singles chronology
"Edge of the Earth"
(2003)		 "Attack"
(2005)		 "The Kill"
(2006)
Music video
"Attack" on YouTube

"Attack" is a song by American rock band Thirty Seconds to Mars. The song was released by Immortal and Virgin on May 3, 2005, as the lead single from the band's second album, A Beautiful Lie. The song was written by Jared Leto and was produced by Josh Abraham and 30 Seconds to Mars. The song is a dynamic expression of rebirth and renewal.[1] 30 Seconds to Mars premiered the song on the American network Fuse on May 25, 2005, during Daily Download.[2]

"Attack" has been critically appreciated, with reviewers complimenting its energetic keyboards, vast, abrasive guitars and infectious vocals. The song was the most added track on alternative radio in its first week, becoming a Billboard's Modern Rock top 30 hit. It attained success during the years, debuting for the first time on European charts only after two years of its original release. The accompanying music video, which aired on August 29, 2005, takes place in an abandoned hotel in Hollywood and every frame hides some messages.

Background and recording

"Attack" had been around for a while and the band was unconvinced of its worth. The song proved to be somewhat problematic and was nearly excluded from the album. During an interview in 2005, Jared Leto said "'Attack' was a song that wasn't scheduled to be recorded at all. I'd been playing it – I'd play it in the desert in Morocco, I was playing it in Thailand – I was playing it everywhere." When Jared tried performing the song with the rest of the band, something was wrong. "On acoustic it was great; but when we played it as a band, it just fell flat on its face." "As soon as the bass got in there…" Matt Wachter continued. "Yeah, so it was either replace Matt or throw the song out." Jared played it acoustically for Josh Abraham; "I was playing it outside of the studio one night on acoustic guitar and Josh walked out and, as a joke, I said 'Hey, you wanna hear a hit song?' I was just talking. I started playing the verse and went into the chorus and he stopped me on the first chorus and said 'It's the best song you have. You have to record it'. So we all got in a circle and something about it changed. Something about us changed. And it became the first song on the record and the first single off our album. So he did a great job on encouraging us to do that song. And now I really love it."[3] Jared told Josh Abraham that night "This song deserves to be a hit just so we can tell this story."[4]

Release

"Attack" was released as the lead single from the album on April 12, 2005, and to American radio on June 6, 2005.[5][6] The single was released in the United Kingdom on February 19, 2007, pressed with the B-side "The Fantasy".[7] On May 2, 2006, the song was released on the single "Two Beautiful Lies", which also includes an edit version of "The Kill" and a 36-page photo book of fans which submitted their digital photos.[8] "Attack" live at CBGB was also released on the European single of "The Kill" and on the digital extended play of "A Beautiful Lie".[9][10]

"Attack" was the most added track on alternative radio in its first week.[11] It entered the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks at number 37 on July 16, 2005, and reached the peak position of 22 on October 22, 2005.[12] On July 2, 2005, it peaked at number 38 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks.[13] On March 3, 2007, it entered the UK Singles Chart at number 148.[14] On the week ending April 20, 2008, the song peaked at number 22 on the Portuguese Download Chart.[15]

The song is featured in ATV Offroad Fury 4, The Fast and the Furious (2006 video game) and in the EA Trax of Madden NFL 06 (Xbox 360 only). "Attack" was released as a purchasable download for the music video game series Rock Band on Christmas 2007.[16] It is also available as downloadable content for Guitar Hero 5 as of February 4, 2010.[17]

Critical reception

"Attack" was generally acclaimed by music critics. Alternative Addiction commented that the song "soars sonically with processing mixed and forceful vocals."[18] Alternative Addiction also ranked the song at number 11 on the Top 50 Songs of 2005.[19] Jim Campbell of Playback wrote that "the standout tracks (“Attack,” “A Beautiful Lie,” “The Kill”) all exude the same strong elements: interesting lyrics, sweeping vocals, and a pulsing rhythm section. They all display a remarkable amount of musical maturity and charisma."[20] Mike Horvath of The Sheaf praised the keyboard effects and guitar distortions of the song, and Stuff listed the song as one of the top tracks from the album.[21][22] Landon Christensen from Davis Enterprise felt that the song "is pretty catchy, with a cool keyboard pattern and Leto's impressive vocals."[23] Jonathan Love of The Decatur Daily wrote that "Attack" "is an expression of rebirth featuring energetic keyboards, abrasive guitars and addictive vocals, which range from a pain-stricken wail to an intimate whisper."[24] Jason Silverstein from The Buffalo News felt that "songs like 'The Kill,' 'Attack' and 'The Fantasy' show a little bit of the old school sound, and also how the new sound should have worked."[25] Connie Phillips from Blogcritics commented that the song "is a digital extravaganza of synthesizers which gives way to Leto's powerful vocals. Though he occasionally moves to the screaming that is ever present in today's heavy music, he doesn't cheat on the vocals. For the most part, it is very melodic and his voice is commanding. What he is delivering with that voice is potent as well. The lyrics are intricate and nearly poetic. This song is a driven expression of endings and new beginnings. The deep seated emotions cross both sides of the spectrum, rage filled and mournful."[26] Zone placed "Attack" at number 52 on the 210 Most Played Songs of the 2000s.[27]

Music video

The music video was directed by Paul Fedor, who had previously worked with the band for their 2002 video "Capricorn (A Brand New Name)".[28] 30 Seconds to Mars performed and presented the premiere of the video on August 29, 2005, on Fuse's Daily Download.[29] In Canada, the video premiered on MuchMusic during MuchOnDemand on October 6, 2005, and was added to medium rotation a couple of days later.[30] Jared Leto told MTV News that "It's the first bestiality footage that you're ever going to see, but it's tastefully done. We're breaking new ground with this one."[31] The music video for the song was filmed during July and August 2005 in an abandoned hotel in Hollywood where the crew encountered prostitutes and drug addicts squatting prior to filming.[32] The crew ended up doing 70 effects shots in 7 days.[28] Throughout the video, effects are greatly used for visual enhancement over bandmembers and around the women depicted. Each frame of the video hides some messages. Fedor explained that was difficult to shoot the video, and commented "I think this is one of my best videos. Every shot in this one is perfect... Look for hidden messages in this one."[28] The video found success on Fuse, mtvU, MTV2 and MuchMusic.[31]

Track listing

All songs written by Jared Leto.

Digital download
  1. "Attack" – 3:08
Promo CD single
  1. "Attack" – 3:12
UK picture disc 7" single
  1. "Attack" – 3:09
  2. "The Fantasy" – 4:29

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from A Beautiful Lie booklet.[33]

Charts

Chart (2005–08) Peak
position
Portugal Downloads (AFP)[15] 22
UK Singles (OCC)[14] 148
UK Physical Singles (OCC)[34] 51
US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)[35] 38
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[36] 22
Venezuela Pop Rock (Record Report)[37] 2

Other versions

In 2023, Christian metalcore band Wolves at the Gate covered the song. "This song always stood out to me as such a powerful, raw, and emotional rock song." said band member Steve Cobucci, "Capturing the feeling of knowing your own brokenness and how it impacts other people made it easier to communicate the emotion from the original."[38][39]

References

  1. ↑ "30 Seconds to Mars". USA Network. NBC Universal. Archived from the original on 2007-05-30. Retrieved 2010-11-10.
  2. ↑ "Bandology: May 25, 2005". Archived from the original on July 14, 2010. Retrieved 2010-11-09.
  3. ↑ Pompey, Aaron (2005-06-26). "30 Seconds To Mars: Interview". Mishmasch Magazine. Retrieved 2010-10-12.
  4. ↑ Baker, Brian (August 2005). "Mars Attracts!". Gallery of Sound. Archived from the original on 2007-02-26. Retrieved 2014-05-08.
  5. ↑ "Attack – Single". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved 2010-09-01.
  6. ↑ "Active & Mainstream: June 2005". FMQB. Archived from the original on 6 August 2010. Retrieved 2010-09-01.
  7. ↑ "30 Seconds to Mars – Attack". Contactmusic.com. Retrieved 2010-09-01.
  8. ↑ Lichtenstein, Julie (2006-03-15). "30 Seconds To Mars Exclusive iTunes Bundle "Two Beautiful Lies" Now Available With Special Photo Book by Fans". Marketwire. Retrieved 2010-09-01.
  9. ↑ "The Kill – Gute Musik ist besser" (in German). EMI Music Austria. Archived from the original on 2010-11-08. Retrieved 2010-09-01.
  10. ↑ "A Beautiful Lie – EP". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved 2010-09-01.
  11. ↑ Simmons, Darryn (2005-08-04). "30 Seconds to Mars comes to Montgomery's Off the Wagon". Montgomery Advertiser. Gannett Company. Archived from the original on 2007-02-26. Retrieved 2014-05-08.
  12. ↑ "Modern Rock Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 117, no. 43. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 2005-10-22. p. 81. ISSN 0006-2510.
  13. ↑ "A Beautiful Lie (Advance) – Billboard Singles". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 2010-10-15.
  14. 1 2 "The Official UK Singles Chart for the week ending March 3, 2007". ChartsPlus. Milton Keynes, England: IQ Ware Ltd (288): 3.
  15. 1 2 "Top Digital AFP – Semana 16 de 2008". Artistas-espectaculos.com (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Archived from the original on 2012-03-11. Retrieved September 28, 2011.
  16. ↑ Faylor, Chris (2007-12-24). "Rock Band Nets 30 Seconds to Mars, The Sounds, All-American Rejects, Festive Holiday Prices". Shacknews. GameFly. Retrieved 2010-10-12.
  17. ↑ "Guitar Guitar Hero(R)'s February Downloadable Content Lineup Packs a Powerful Punch With Fresh Music From Top Bands". Activision. PR Newswire. 2010-01-28. Retrieved 2010-10-12.
  18. ↑ Chad (2005-08-24). "Review of A Beautiful Lie by 30 Seconds to Mars". Alternative Addiction. Archived from the original on 2010-12-04. Retrieved 2010-10-12.
  19. ↑ "The Best of Alternative Addiction 2005 – Top 50 Songs". Alternative Addiction. 2005. Archived from the original on 2012-04-05. Retrieved 2010-10-12.
  20. ↑ Campbell, Jim (2005-09-29). "A Beautiful Lie (Virgin Records)". Playback. Archived from the original on 2011-09-28. Retrieved 2010-10-15.
  21. ↑ Horvath, Mike. "A Beautiful Lie (Virgin)". The Sheaf. The Sheaf Publishing Society. Archived from the original on 2007-02-24. Retrieved 2014-05-08.
  22. ↑ "30 Seconds To Mars, A Beautiful Lie". Stuff. Dennis Publishing. Archived from the original on 2005-12-02. Retrieved 2010-10-15.
  23. ↑ Christensen, Landon (2005-10-07). "A Beautiful Lie". Davis Enterprise. Archived from the original on 2007-02-23. Retrieved 2014-05-08.
  24. ↑ Love, Jonathan (2005-10-11). "New alt-rock album cuts to the core". The Decatur Daily. Archived from the original on 2006-05-26. Retrieved 2010-10-15.
  25. ↑ Silverstein, Jason (2005-11-16). "Some good moments in '30 Seconds'". The Buffalo News. Berkshire Hathaway. Archived from the original on 2007-02-24. Retrieved 2010-10-15.
  26. ↑ Phillips, Connie (2006-03-15). "A Beautiful Lie". Blogcritics. Retrieved 2010-10-15.
  27. ↑ "The 210 Most Played Songs of The Decade". The Zone @ 94.1. 2010. Archived from the original on 2010-07-28. Retrieved 2010-10-05.
  28. 1 2 3 "Attack". Paul Fedor. Archived from the original on 2007-05-01. Retrieved 2010-11-01.
  29. ↑ Melchor, Michael (2005-08-30). "Exclusive Interview – Matt Wachter of 30 Seconds to Mars". 411mania.com. Archived from the original on 2012-10-05. Retrieved 2010-10-12.
  30. ↑ "Bandology: October 6, 2005". Archived from the original on July 14, 2010. Retrieved 2010-10-12.
  31. 1 2 Harris, Chris (2005-05-31). "30 Seconds To Mars' Jared Leto Succeeds Where Keanu And Crowe Failed". MTV. MTV Networks. Retrieved 2010-11-01.
  32. ↑ "Bandology: July/August 2005". Archived from the original on 2010-07-14. Retrieved 2010-10-12.
  33. ↑ A Beautiful Lie (booklet). Thirty Seconds to Mars. Los Angeles, California: Immortal Records. 2005. 90992.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  34. ↑ "Official Physical Singles Chart". Official Charts Company. February 25, 2007. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
  35. ↑ "Thirty Seconds To Mars Chart History (Mainstream Rock Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
  36. ↑ "Thirty Seconds To Mars Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
  37. ↑ "Pop Rock" (in Spanish). Record Report. 2008-04-05. Archived from the original on 2007-07-02.
  38. ↑ Osuna, Hernan (July 7, 2023). "Wolves At The Gate shares cover Of Thirty Seconds To Mars' "Attack"". Chaoszine. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
  39. ↑ "Wolves At The Gate Release Their Cover Of 30 Seconds To Mars' "Attack"". ThePRP. July 6, 2023. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
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