A quick overview of Atreyu's progress...: Since this band has gone from something that I utterly hate to one of my most respected and favored artists, I'm going to give a little background information before I get to the CD review.
Atreyu has been subject to alot of hate from various parties, mostly because they have had the unfortunate side effect of being confused as a cut and paste lame emo band like Hawthorne Heights... emo is not a bad genre, when done right-- unfortunately most of the popular "emo" bands aren't emo at all, but rather, some stupid pre-manufactured trash. It's really not any better than today's Pop garbage. All of that aside, I really don't consider Atreyu to be emo in any way shape or form. They have emotional lyrics, but they aren't "emo" at all. I'd give them a metalcore label, myself. See Funeral for a Friend or 36 Crazyfists for real quality emo-metal.
As a band, Atreyu's first CD "Suicide notes and butterfly kisses" (Read as "Gee, why would anyone ever think that we're a crappy emo band?" /sarcasm) wasn't all that impressive. There were a few pretty good tracks, "Lip Gloss and Black" being the standout effort, but they hadn't really found thier sound yet. Because of this, I wrote them off like many did, never wanting to give them a second chance.
Then, a friend of mine gave me Atreyu's sophomore effort, "The Curse", which I was pretty surprised by. The band's sound had improved tenfold. They had broken away from the static image that was thier first CD, and found thier own sound. This is something that some bands never achieve, so I was pretty happy for Atreyu. "Bleeding Mascara", "Right Side of the Bed", and even a cover of Bon Jovi's "You give love a bad name" were excellent tracks that really gave me a newfound respect for the band, and even made me like the fist Album more. Atreyu's second CD was a great improvement indeed, and an excellent addition to anyone's collection.
Review: Atreyu - A Deathgrip on YesterdayOkay, this CD isn't new at all, but alot of people don't seem to know about it, so I'm going to review it.
Lyrics: 10
Vocals: 9
Instrumentals: 9
Replay Value: 10
Overall: 9
Summary: One of the best Albums that I've ever had the pleasure of owning. The first time that I heard it, I thought it was "barely mediocre", maybe a 5. On my first listen, I remember thinking, "Meh? This isn't as good as "The Curse[Atreyu's last CD]"... what a rip off..." It has since grown to be one of the most sentimental CDs in my collection. A top 10 for sure.
Atreyu have really outdone themselve with this one. While only housing 9 tracks in total, this CD is the embodiment of "quality versus quantity", and I couldn't be happier.
A band with two vocalists (one for more traditional singing, refrains, etc. and the other for lyrics, less traditional and more screamy), Atreyu have the ability to synchronize vocals in a way that most bands can't. The contrast of the two singers really makes for quite the experience. Brandon Saller, the band's more vocal singer and drummer, has stuck to a well known format, but applies his vocals with more emotion. Lead vocalist Alex Varkatzas has not only improved his lyrics immensly, but also taken on a more skillful approach to his vocals. His screaming is more refined-- it's still a scream, but much more in tune with the music, which some might consider more mainstream (still a VERY long shot from mainstream vocals, however). I call it "experience", he's gotten better and better with each album.
The instrumentals are also phenominal, guitarist Travis Miguel provides some amazing solo-esque rifts throughout almost every part of every song. Normally, you'd expect something simple while the vocals are at the forefront, but on this album, complex riffs are constantly in the background, and there are also some really amazing solo's. The band's synergy is absolutely perfect--there aren't many bands who have this kind of connection musically between the members. Each different part of the music feeds off of the others extremely well. Drums and bass aren't quite as spectacular as the other elements, but are certainly very well played. It's less of an issue with talent and more just how the music is suited.
The real gem with this Album is the lyrics. Not since some of Metallica's later work have I heard lyrics as piercing as those found on Atreyu's "A Deathgrip on Yesterday". These lyrics are simply amazing. There are excellent metaphors that you really have to think about at first, but there are also alot of straight up, blunt lyrics that really hit you and make you say, "Wow, that's a really powerful line". The best example of this is the CD's absolutely phenominal closing track "Untitled Finale". This is undoubtedly my favorite song on the disc, and one of my all time favorites as well. It's right up there with Metallica's "The Unnamed Feeling". (I hate to keep comparing them to Metallica, because they are nothing alike, but the band is just
that good on this album. REALLY.)
Verse one of "Untitled Finale" displays the more metaphorical side of the CD, impressive, but it serves as a build up for the second verse:
"...time marches on, like a soldier, are you a killer?
No, I think I know what you are; a thief in the night,
and though it's taken me so very long to figure you out
you're throwing stones, your glass castle is falling down
on top of your good times, I'm not interested in working this out..."The second verse, extremely powerful, amazing lyrics. I can't even explain how much this song alone has helped me through...
bullshit. Haha. If you've ever had a cheesegrater taken to your heart, then this song is definitely for you.
"...and that's what you are, a sad plastic fucking mess
don't come to me with how you're
tired, used up and just barely getting by
because I would walk on by and not even,
not even kick you when you're down,
though you would deserve it, because you are lower than the lowest dog
but this is the part where I say good-bye
and let the sands of time blow over us
Say good-bye, and let the sands of time blow over us
You've never had to crawl, you've never had to see,
what it feels like to be so trapped underneath
the weight of someone's world, comes crashing down on me
I was longing to be free, I put the bullet in you and me" This is definitely a band for "serious" music fans. If you just like to kick back and listen to "the music", then you probably won't "get" Atreyu. Sorry, it's not thier fault that you don't understand good music, now is it?
I've had this CD since it came out in late March 2006, and in the seven months that I've owned it, I've probably listened to it at least 4 times a week, the whole way through. It never gets old. Actually, I'm listening to it right now. This is one of the best metalcore CD's ever produced, for sure. If you like powerful lyrics that are meaningful, well thought out, and emotional (not "bad emo" emotional), then this will probably be one of the best CD's that you've ever heard.
Key tracks: ... they're all good! Really. Buy the album. Okay, okay. Here's a list of the BEST tracks and some lyrics. Haha.
Creature : A great opening song, it explodes right off the bat and has some very signature Atreyu style. Very hard vocals, hard music, followed by a very melodic chorus. Lyrics are great,
"You're either the person you are or the person you're trying to be. Don't let the inside sway too far from where you want to be." We're all "creatures" in one way or another, aren't we? It's a matter of finding the balance between the creature that you are, and the creature that you want to be. Great stuff.
Our Sick Story (Thurs Far) : Enter, the relationship trauma! It doesn't go away until the end of the CD, and that makes me happy
A great song, one of the best on the CD in terms of the music. The guitar and drums are very in synch at the opener. First wailing together and then the guitar trails off into a quick little solo before the lyrics begin.
"When you kiss me / Do you still taste her? / Are you thinking of me? / With your lips pressed tightly up against his skin, does your body still scream my name? Does your body still scream my name?" Damn.
Ex's and Oh's : This is the single off of the CD. The most vocal, the most mainstream. A great song, nonetheless-- this is probably what most of you who aren't Atreyu fans will like the most.
"When you feel your soul drop to the floor / Like a hole / Like an open bleeding sore / Then you'll have bled like I've bled / And you'll have wept as I've wept... but I digress... After all this... You're just like all the rest"My Fork in the Road (Your Knife in my Back) : As lyrically powerful as "Untitled Finale", but much, much more spiteful. One of my favorite songs on the disc.
"Forgive? Forget? Fuck you. You are a liar and a whore. / So take what you want and leave, you'll never get another part of [me]... and I will never be your lover again / as far as I’m concerned, we are not even friends / this may not seem to subtle to you / the point I'm trying to make is we are completely through."Untitled Finale : Absolutely amazing. Just... amazing. See above.
Absolutely 100% recommended, and then some.
