Atreyu – Congregation of the Damned

Atreyu has been around since 1998 and has had increasing success with each step they’ve taken. Out of Orange County, CA, this band has released five albums, toured with bands like Linkin Park, Avenged Sevenfold and Hollywood Undead. Their music has been on movie soundtracks (Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Underworld: Evolution) as well in video games (Madden NFL’07, Burnout 3).

The band consists of Alex Varkatzas (vocal), Dan Jacobs (guitar, vocal), Travis Miguel (guitar), Marc McKnight (bass, vocal) & Brandon Saller (drums, vocal). Congregation of the Damned, released off of Hollywood Records. It has a strong team of producers; Bob Marlette (Ozzy Osbourne) and mixer Rich Costey (System of a Down, Rage Against the Machine) in the studio. The album debuted at #18 on the Billboard 200 in the first week, which speaks to the following the band has been able to build over the years.

With all of this success, what the band still lacks is an identity. Atreyu’s fifth studio album feels like a heavy metal buffet. As you listen to the tracks, they bounce from style to style as if the band is trying to hold onto all of the cards.

This band needs to focus on a specific style and sound and let the others go. Which ever one they choose, they will alienate some fans, but the life of this band shortens every day they do not separate themselves from this mish-mash that is the current sound.

Whether the band decides on the harder, heavier screamers or chooses the more melodic radio friendly rock music heard on radios around the country will be up to them. This reviewer would suggest giving up the throat gurgling screams and going with the more radio friendly-sound (think, “Becoming the Bull”). While others will disagree, it is the songs that combine the multiple vocals, ripping guitars and strong backline that give Atreyu credence and make them the great band that they are.

Varkatzas can sing, and has enough backing from the other boys to get the job done. The heavier crowd may step away, but the band will find more of a following from a larger mainstream audience. Songs like the final track “Wait for You” are perfect for that crowd. The band has the ability. The question is do they want the mainstream attention or the hard core respect?

Label: Hollywood Records – Rating:

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Like Atreyu? Check out: Avenged Sevenfold, Bullet for my Valentine,  Hollywood Undead

About This Writer

Position: Reviews Writer (Alt/Indie)Location: Greenville, SCBio: Victor grew up on Long Island, NY, but moved south when he realized he could not survive the cost of living. He lives in Greenville, SC with his wife and three kids. After spending eleven years in financial services, he has traded suits and ties for shorts and t-shirts and is trying to make a living as a freelance writer.Likes: He grew up with parents who were obsessed with music. His father would turn him on to Led Zeppelin, the Stones, the Who, Clapton and all the great rock bands of the seventies. His mother lived for Motown. The Tops and Temptations, Smoky and the Supremes as well as the Jackson 5. Victor is never far from his IPod and its always on shuffle. You could go from Miles Davis to Linkin Park, Ben Harper to U2, The Beatles to Phish.Twitter: twitter.com/WordKraPHtBlog/Website: www.wordkrapht.com, http://wordkrapht.com/blog2/

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