Attrition

Released in 2018, Attrition is a definitive statement from Salem, a band originally formed during the height of the NWOBHM movement in the early 1980s. While many of their peers moved toward more commercial sounds or faded away, Salem's later-career output, particularly this album, doubles down on the gritty, melodic heavy metal that defined their origin. The album was recorded with an emphasis on analog warmth, avoiding the 'loudness war' pitfalls of modern metal production. Critics from outlets like All About The Rock noted the album's ability to sound authentically vintage without feeling like a parody, praising the songwriting maturity on tracks like 'Lest We Forget'. The album serves as a bridge between the band's 1980s demos and a modern, more refined approach to classic metal structures. It stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of the dual-guitar attack and remains a high-water mark in the band's discography.