MusicRadar Verdict
The unconventional material has the potential to offer a really unique sound, but the flat tone prevents us from loving these particular heads.
Pros
- +
A defined note that's easy to tune.
Cons
- -
The Dynaflex film has a harder, more brittle sound than Mylar. Tone is a bit thick.
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Attack is the youngest of the major drum head manufacturers and remains the least well-known in the UK.
The heads are manufactured in Taiwan, which gives a competitive edge to the pricing, but with there's no lowering of quality.
Where Attack differs is in the way that they largely use a polyester nylon film called Dynaflex for their standard heads.
The usual pro material for the past 50 years has been Mylar, but only Attack's Terry Bozzio-endorsed models use this substance.
The Attack heads also differ in the way the plastic film is attached to the metal hoop.
Remo, Evans and Aquarian all use an epoxy resin to attach the head into the aluminium hoop channel.
Attack heads, however, are secured via a pressing process into a rolled steel rim clinched into the steel (not aluminium) hoop.
Attack claims that using glue-less steel collars produces a louder and more open tone.
Actually, Attack is not the first to do this. Premier, Sonor and Ludwig have all used a similar construction in the past.
High-tension marching heads follow a similar principle, which is guaranteed not to pull out.
The company produces a full range of head types and here we have the two-ply Medium Clear.
In use
The two-ply Mediums are available in sizes ranging from six inches to 24 inches and are bonded around roughly the outer inch.
They also feature what Attack rather enigmatically calls, a 'tone ridge'.
When fitted to toms, the two-ply clear plastic feels rather thick and blippy, almost as though you're playing on Tupperware.
It does mean you get a defined note, easy to tune with more controllable overtones.
The obvious comparison to make here is with Remo's Pinstripe. However, the Attack heads are warmer, spongier and lack some of the hard stick impact you get from a Pinstripe.
Like the other big players - Remo, Evans and Aquarian - Attack heads have a sound of their own and provide a real alternative.
But it takes a change of mindset to get used to a different type of head, not to mention a compelling reason for doing so.
However, in the case of the two-ply Mediums, the tone leaves us feeling a bit cold, so they're hard to recommend these particular models.
That said, there's real potential in the idea and Attack remain a name to watch out for.
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