WHY THE HATE?: Attila

Metalcore/deathcore/nu metal hybrid Attila are a band that doesn't give a damn what you think and how they roll in the metal scene. From roots as a metalcore act, to deathcore to nu metal, the band has gone through many different reincarnations. Led by front man Chris "Fronz" Fronzak, the band has become a name in the deathcore genre with the band's infusion of nu metal and rap into the guttural breakdowns of the genre. With the band releasing a new single "New Devil" featuring Dickie Allen of Infant Annihilator, the band is ready to take over the metal world in 2024.

But with a long career of paying their dues and establishing the band as a name in deathcore, why is Attila getting so much hate? What has the band done to have the metal community turn their back on them? Is it the music? The band's front man? Their personality and personas? Today, I will deep dive into the band's music, the band itself, and what the issues the metal community has with the band as I ask the question Why The Hate?.

FIRST SUBJECT: The Music

Attila would release their debut demo Fallacy in 2007. Riding the success of their demo, the band would be signed to the small record label Statik Factory and would release their debut album Soundtrack To A Party the following year. The album would be a hybrid of metalcore, deathcore and melodic death metal in it's sound. With many songs showing the band leaning more into the deathcore sound, a sound the band would begin to use more heavily on later records. Though dark in nature musically, lyrically the album was about partying, getting laid and drinking. Pushing the good times/don't give a fuck attitude that we all went through during our teen years and twenties.

Following extensive touring with established acts like Chelsea Grin, (Hed) P.E. and Threat Signal, the band would sign to Artery Recordings in 2010 and began work on their second album. That same year, the band would release Rage. The album showed the band really intensify their sound. Including more of the melodic death metal and deathcore elements, while adding hardcore elements, as well as still keeping some of their metalcore roots ("The Invitation" & "Rage" are a good example of this). The album further grew buzz for the band. With the band landing some major touring support in 2010, opening for deathcore acts Oceano as well as appearing on the All Stars Tour featuring acts like Emmure, Iwrestledabearonce, Motionless in White and Born of Osiris.

After riding the high of their second album and gaining notoriety with their tours, the band would release their next album Outlawed. It would be the band's first album to be produced by Joey Sturgis, who had worked with popular bands like Asking Alexandria and The Devil Wears Prada. The album was considered a success for the band as it debuted at number 87 on the Billboard 200. With the production-style of Sturgis, the album was the band's most fine-tuned and was praised by critics for the quality in the production. With the band continuing their party/easy going attitude with breakdowns, the fans were happy with the heavier, sleazier album. Elements of melodic death metal, punk, and groove metal helped make the band's sound distinct and separated them from their peers.

Two years later, the band would work with Sturgis again and released their next album About That Life in 2013. This album was received with an indifferent response from fans and critics. Mainly aimed at the first single off the album, the title track "About That Life". With a music video that paid homage to the popularity of hip-hop/rap videos, this would become the beginning of the look that Attila would begin to transform into. Many felt the band, deviating into a nu-metal/rap metal direction, was not what the fans wanted to hear. Especially with a lot of the criticism of this direction seemed heavily aimed at the ire of bands like brokeNCYDE and the combination of the two genres of rap and metalcore didn't belong together. Along with lyrics that seemed to push the "Edge Lord" culture of just saying things to get a reaction or attention was starting to draw cringe viewpoints from outside fans or people that couldn't take the band seriously because of it. The album would also feature the song "Callout" which featured Fronzak rapping and called out certain artists like Ronnie Radke of Falling in Reverse, Mike Reynolds of For Today, Christofer Drew of Eat Me Raw and the Westboro Baptist Church.

The band would double down on their new sound with the release of their next album Guilty Pleasure. Though still having gutturals and growls from their metalcore & deathcore sound, the album showed Fronzak rap and continue the "life of the party" attitude and machismo bravado on the album. The album would receive less positive reviews, citing as the album being "more of the same" and "a band that refuses to grow up and mature".

Following tours supporting the album, anda solo album from Fronzak, the band would return in 2016 with Chaos. The band stayed the course with the album, but received better reviews and charted highly, landing at number 30 on the Billboard 200, and number two on the Billboard Top Hard Rock Albums. Things were turning around for the band as it looks like the fans were coming around to the band's sound and accepting it, while also the band was perfecting this new nu-metal metalcore/deathcore amalgamation.

The band would also gain some internet fame with their internet single "Pizza". At time of writing, the song has over 3.6 million views on YouTube. The song shows the true easy-going nature and some even citing it as an homage to the band's early releases. And I will admit, even if you don't like the band, you got to admit, this is a good song AND about pizza.

In 2019, the band would release their eighth studio album Villain. By this point, the band had truly perfected the nu-metalcore sound that the band has built throughout their albums. Continuing to include more gutturals and deathcore elements throughout many of the songs ("Blackout" for example with the closing breakdown), the album would receive positive reviews from the fans and delivering an album that fans expected and were happy with.

The band's most recent album was 2021's Closure. A continuation of the sound and production quality of Villain, the album would feature the song "Metalcore Manson". With the press claiming that the song was about Marilyn Manson, who was facing sexual allegations, drew some heat towards Fronzak and the band. Fronzak would deny these claims in a post on X (seen below) stating that he was referencing Charles Manson.

At the end of the day musically, does Attila deserve the hate? Yes, a lot of their lyrics might be considered "cringe" or would be considered "cancelled" because of the sexism and machismo lyrical message from the band's leader. And some would put the band musically in the same category of Five Finger Death Punch as a part of that Monster Energy drinking, "do you lift bro?" macho meat head culture. Musically for Attila, this can be up to the listener and what they choose to accept. I do like Attila and I do like some of their albums because I like the heaviness and Fronzak's vocals are guttural and deep, which I am a sucker for deathcore vocals like that. So, I can see why there might be some of the hate towards the band's music. So if you can stand by that point, you have every right to have that opinion, as long as you don't stop other people from enjoying the band's music.

SECOND SUBJECT: The Band

Attila is no stranger to controversy. A lot of the critiques and criticism towards the band is aimed at the band's front man. The first controversy was involving the band Senses Fail and it's lead singer Buddy Nielsen. In 2014, Nielsen called out Fronzak for using a homophobic slur in the Attila song "Proving Ground". Fronzak would counter this point from Nielsen stating:

"If you think I'm homophobic in any way possible, you're clearly either an idiot or you're in a washed up band that nobody cares about."

The following year, while both bands were on Warped Tour that year, the feud was amplified between the two. Fronzak accused a "bitch ass band" of placing a sign that read "homophobes" at the band's merch table. Later that day, Nielsen would insult Fronzak on stage, with the feud continuing on Twitter. Fronzak would reignite the feud in 2018 on the Attila song "Callout 2", insulting Nielsen with the lyric "Fuck a Buddy Nielsen / Fuck a stupid coward". Through countless beefs and feuding, according to Loudwire, the beef was squashed quietly at the time of this writing.

Another incident Fronzak had was with venue security at a Las Vegas concert in 2018. During the altercation, Fronzak assaulted a nearby security guard by punching him in the back of the head and throwing the microphone at him. Fronzak cites the venue's security being too rough with the band's audience. The security guard would sue the band, but per my research, I cannot find if the case was dropped or settled at the time of this writing.

Fronzak would also face sexual allegations with an underage girl in 2020. Which he accuses his ex-girlfriend of setting up the situation and having to address the situation in a video defense on social media. You can read more about the Loudwire article about it HERE since there is too much detail to go into and screenshots and this article is already long enough. Fronzak wasn't the only other band to face sexual allegations. Drummer Bryan McClure was fired from the band in 2020 after he was accused of sexual assault by a former girlfriend. Another fan came forward to accuse McClure of grooming her beginning at 16, while McClure was in his 30's. Also, in an article from Metal Sucks, bassist Kalan Blehm was accused of having sex with a minor.

Lastly, another critique or gripe with Fronzak is he even has an OnlyFans account. Where as a member, you can see adult content involving him. With critics of the band stating he is "chasing trends" and only has the account "to keep his machismo ego erect and keep himself relevant".

Regarding the band members and their actions, does the band members themselves deserve the hate? The incident with Senses Fail and usage of a homophobic slur is not ok and does deserve the hate. Even if you don't think a slur is a slur, it is still a slur regardless of how it is used or how YOU use it. I can't go around calling someone the "N" word because that's not what it means to me. A word has a meaning and it can have ugly and hateful origins, and slurs are slurs for a reason. Regarding the sexual misconduct throughout the band, again all of these are allegations and I could not find actual arrests or convictions towards the members regarding these claims, but if these allegations are true, then they deserve the hate 100%. No one should be mistreated in any way for sexual purposes or to be groomed for obscene or inappropriate behavior.

FINAL SUBJECT: The Criticism

The metal community has been very clear about their thoughts on Attila. Like I mentioned earlier in this article, a lot of the critiques are aimed at the music and the infusion of the band "trying to bring nu metal back" since their About That Life album. With derogatory, sexist, tough guy, big dick energy and screw the haters-style lyrics, a lot of critics of the band cite the band as one-note or a band that teens would like, but not in their thirties. Boasting about how great you are can get old and boring and unoriginal. With people calling out "what else ya got?" since it's the same ol' song and dance for so many albums. Defending the music of the band, you know what Attila is, going in. You know what the lyrics, attitude, and style that the band is. Same goes for black metal & death metal bands, you know what it's going to sound like going into it, and some people like that style of music. Some people want complicated Dream Theater-esque guitars and instrumentation. Some want caveman-esque slam death metal like Devourment. Attila is one of the band's that if you want metalcore/deathcore with rap/nu metal influences, than the band is for you. So what if this is the kind of music the band wants to make and sing about? To each their own and if you like the music then crank it up. If you don't, then skip it and listen to someone else.

Attila is a controversial, divisive and unique band in metal. Some would claim the band as a guilty pleasure band, while some rep the band by waving their flag and being proud of it. Musically, they are a unique band that wanted to do something different with their sound. Seperating themselves apart from fellow metalcore and deathcore bands. Instead of singing about the darkness and evil and life, they spun it to make almost "good time deathcore". And I mentioned earlier in this piece, I do have some of their albums and I am a fan of the band's music, and I'm excited to see where they go from here musically. Especially with the new song released this year. Regarding the off the stage antics, the band has definitely become a lightning rod for misconduct and allegations, which if the allegations are true, then it does hurt the band for me and the band does deserve the hate for those actions. Since I do not support bands that have done these kind of acts towards women or commit violence against women (see Why The Hate?: Five Finger Death Punch HERE for the latter). I must reiterate that these are allegations, and there has been no convictions or sentencing for any of these allegations at time of writing. And if Fronzak wants to defend himself against anything I have said wrong in this article, I would be happy to interview him and let him correct me or defend himself in any way. As a band, Attila will keep doing what they are doing. They will curse, swear, get drunk or high, and have a good time while delivering chugging breakdowns, deep guttural vocals and lyrics about partying and getting laid. This is what they do, this is a band that is happy with the life they live and the music they make. This is Attila.

Do you think Attila deserves the hate? Do you agree/disagree and why? Let us know in the comments section on our social media pages. You can also put in your comments for suggestions on what band, artist, or genre we should cover next in the series. I'm Justin, Your Friendly Neighborhood Metalhead, and this has been Why The Hate?.