Review: Jack Price
As timeless and everlasting as the story they derived their name from, the Californian metalcore legends Atreyu are back with their latest absolute juggernaut of a record, The Beautiful Dark Of Life. With a staggering quarter-century career to look back on, the Atreyu boys are continuing their brand of melodic metalcore meets post-hardcore. Throughout their lengthy tenure, Atreyu have undergone numerous line up changes. The most recent of which being drummer Kyle Rosa and Marc Mcknight on bass, while also providing some more aggressive vocal work which contrasts ex-drummer now full time vocalist Brandon Saller. Atreyu are known for their catchy sing-along choruses, riff-heavy guitars, aggressive verses and more lately, a more melodic focus in their song structure. Since the departing of vocalist Alex Varkatzas in late 2020, the musical style of Atreyu has evolved, resembling a more post-hardcore feel while retaining the metalcore essence they laid as foundations with their earlier work. Saller stepping up to fulfil the full time position of vocalist has helped compliment this change, his soaring vocals and raspy screams continuing the legacy paved by their early work.
The Beautiful Dark Of Life is a nonstop musical thrill ride, tantalising with its throwbacks for the hardcore fans, offering intrigue for more recent and new listeners, and even incorporating more modern styles of the metalcore scene with catchy synth and key sections. With an amazing 11 and a half million streams on Spotify, Drowning is the logical opener for the album. An eerie synth opener leads into the signature fast paced guitar from Dan Jacobs and Travis Miguel, before dropping back to emphasise Brandon’s vocals and the prowess of Rosa’s percussion. Atreyu have stuck with their emotionally driven lyrical content, without crossing into the emo genre partially due to the execution and passion behind Saller’s voice. Drowning lyrically encapsulates the pressure of being overburdened with the pressures of life.
The album, while a lengthy 15 tracks, is entitled to be so by covering many issues spanning from mental health, perfectly displayed in stand out tracks Good Enough, Insomnia and Immortal to name a few, to the societal patriarchy and oppression with tracks like Capital F and God/Devil, which features a really impressive collaboration of the pair of vocalists, and the guitar work is sublime! A buzzing riff from Miguel flows through the verses, feeding the aggression of the track before unleashing an amazing guitar solo from Jacobs towards the end of the track. Dancing With My Demons is a stand out track for dealing with mental health and anguish, delivering probably the most brutal vocal performance of the album.
Breaking from their usual sprint-to-the-finish style, I Don’t Wanna Die stands out from the rest of the album. Not only for being a slower, 80’s rock-esk ballad, being a testament to not only the undying drive of the band, but the back bone of the album. In the lead up to its release, Atreyu have released 3 EPs that all feature on the record, creating a journey for listeners to follow into their artistic realm of self-awareness. Brandon stated that the album is “… the journey we are all on.” continuing with “it is the journey we have taken the audience on through the three EPs: the highs, lows, and lessons of life. And much like living through them, you don’t gain a full understanding of what it all means without the whole picture. This album is that picture.” I Don’t Want To Die sums up that statement perfectly with it’s hallowing verses, pleading chorus, powerful bridge and melodic guitar solo. It’s a recognition of what is still to come and what is left to accomplish, the highs and lows that are yet to be celebrated and endured respectfully. A salome vow to their dedicated fanbase accumulated over the last 25 fucking years that Atreyu are in no shape or form slowing down.
There are so many great tracks on this record, each one as unskippable as the last. Bringing the heavier side of the band are tracks such as (i) which delivers a banger of a breakdown and Immortal with the pair of vocalists showcasing their technical mastery. Death Or Glory (Ft. Sierra Deaton), which is a treasure to behold with the X Factor finalist adding some beauty to the grittiness, is sure to be a massive hit for their live performances to come, with its chugging guitar riffs, aggressive chorus to sing along to (“Life’s a bitch then you die!”) and catchy chorus. Contrasting the track is Forevermore, an emotional ballad depicting the battle against depression and the saving grace of belief, a testimony to love and devotion in faith, whether that be to a god, a person or yourself. This song says whatever you believe in, it’s what keeps you going and the rest can burn away. A string section cradles Saller’s howling proclamations. Come Down has a funky, almost Papa Roach meets Red Hot Chili Peppers feel through the verse and jumps into a more party rock chorus, which is refreshing against the aggression and angst of the rest of the album. That’s not to say the track isn’t heavy, Marc providing some amazing vocal work with his screams and growls, while Dan and Travis throw out some amazing guitar work and a nice meaty breakdown before a distorted guitar solo before the final barrage of choruses.
Closing with all the metalcore goodness, the title track The Beautiful Dark Of Life is as good a choice as any to end on. Both vocalists bring some raspy dirty vocals with their screams and growls, a choir of voices come together for a beautiful bridge and some amazing sweeping guitar from Jacobs that grows into the best solo of the album. The choir joined by Brandon and Marc once more before signing the track and the record off with a quick breakdown. Atreyu has clearly put their heart, soul and two and a half decades of experience to good work to produce one hell of an album. If this is just the beginning for the new era of Atreyu, what’s next to come is sure to open new horizons for the metalcore and post-hardcore genres.
OUT NOW VIA SPINEFARM RECORDS
TOURING AUSTRALIA FEBRUARY 2024 SUPPORTED BY BAD/LOVE
