Atreyu - Baptize

Tracklist:

Strange Powers of Prophecy

Baptize

Save Us

Underrated

Broken Again

Weed

Dead Weight

Catastrophe

Fucked Up

Sabotage Me

Untouchable (Ft. Jacoby Shaddix)

No Matter What

Oblivion (Ft. Matt Heafy)

Stay

Warrior (Ft. Travis Barker)

The main thing I associate with metalcore legends Atreyu is “Bleeding Mascara” and “Lipgloss and Black” which were 2 of the most iconic songs of my teenage years, they will always have a huge place in my heart and my history. Obviously since then they’ve done lots and lots of good stuff but obviously your nostalgia always takes over you. However there is one big change this time around and that is that founding member and great screamer Alex Varkatzas has left the band, 7 full studio albums and now with the 8th the screaming baton has been passed to bassist Marc McKnight. This fills me with much anxiety because I am extraordinarily fond of this band but I will admit they were starting to become a bit stale there. “Save Us” starts off like WWE wrestler Finn Balor’s entrance music, opting for a slower tempo but a more violent feel in the verses, really one to snap your neck to. “Underrated” doesn’t start it fucking exploads, like a split personality, on the one hand you’ve got this really calm and settled personality then you also have one that is desperate to escape and light everything on fire, Brandon’s voice is definitely the most Distinctive element at this point in their career, it’s almost unmistakable, the breakdown towards the end is a little bit filthy aswell which always helps win me over. “Warrior” guest stars legendary Blink 182 drummer Travis Barker and has quite the vibe of a song that should be ringing out in an arena with the echoes of a doting fans screaming out the lyrics along with the lads, very feel good song and incredibly addictive, in the softer style of Lead Sails and a Paper Anchor. The screams on “Catastrophe” heavily remind me of early Bullet For My Valentine, really blood curdling and high pitched, which seems to really work alongside the flawless melodic vocals, it’s very Lead Sails and a Paper Anchor meets Congregation of the Damned. “Untouchable” features fellow 90’s metal legend Jacoby Shaddix from Papa Roach with some guest vocals, it’s nice to have Shaddix on a heavy track again that’s still got that more melodic mainstream singing style which he is known for but he throws us some screams for old times sake which is a delight. A personal favourite in regards to guest vocals come from Trivium’s Matt Heafy on “Oblivion” he just has that certain type of vocals that our generation has grown to resonate with and adore, he aids with the sinister feel and vibe they’re trying to create, in the chorus there’s almost a longing to be heard and fighting off distress. I appreciate being given 15 songs on an album, that’s always gone a big way with me, the guests will bring intrigue and rightly so because they’re interesting and different each in their own way and have made a blend of Atreyu that fits with them, if you want to reinvent yourself with a style of music that you’ve already smashed out for 23 years, it’s not easy. They’ve pulled it off really well, absolutely amazing depth and variety for a band so far into a career.

[9/10]