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Rating:
Here is the new album from a successful band that has always ranged between hardcore, post-hardcore, and metalcore, now taking the path of many other groups like Caliban, Avenged Sevenfold, etc. The album might seem to fans like the start of a regression that begins to weigh on the shoulders of 99% of bands in every genre. This album isn't bad, to be honest, but the devastating screamed parts that dominated the previous works of Atreyu have been replaced by melodic parts, guitar riffs often too light, and some almost radio-friendly songs. Everyone knew that metal was becoming a mainstream genre, but we still have to find a band that can stay on track without ruining themselves under the crushing weight of the mainstream... Atreyu, like many others, have already taken the wrong path... let's see.
The first song Creature is a nice track, with rather intelligent riffs and very appropriate use of vocals, despite some melodic parts almost nu-metal. It hints immediately at what the band's new work is like. Shameful is a nice track, average for Atreyu, but also dominated by melodic vocal parts that don't seem to spoil Atreyu's music much generally speaking, but will leave many hardcore fans dry-mouthed. Our Sick Story (Thus Far), with an ambiguous title for this band, is a nice piece that we can define as "in original Atreyu style," despite a melodic chorus, it never loses power and originality, and is so far the most beautiful piece. The fourth track, The Theft, is a song "too" calm and relaxed to be Atreyu, with a predominant melodic component and a singing style reminiscent of A Perfect Circle; the song isn't that bad, however, it is a ballad we have never been accustomed to by this band; there are some misleading pop/rock influences. We Stand Up, a rather aggressive song, seems made for the new tribes of young people interested in punk and metal, and indeed it seems like a good mix and, without presenting anything particularly special, the song is quite appreciable. Ex's And Oh's, with an almost HIM-like beginning, stands out for a nice melody, and it is indeed a rather calm track compared to the standards, even if the various instruments combine to create a rather interesting atmosphere. Your Private War is a track that starts with Alex's anger and ends in a chorus that I would describe as quite radio-friendly. My Fork In The Road (Your Knife In My Back) is supported by a homogeneous arrangement of clean/screaming voice alternations, with riffs as powerful as they are catchy, and some background choruses that initially ruin the atmosphere, but then fit well. The solo is also good. The last song, Untitled Finale, is a nice track with classic Atreyu riffs and a chorus almost Seether-like that doesn't fit very well; overall, the song is quite enjoyable, although perhaps a bit lacking in character (the choirs at the end certainly don't help).
A Death Grip On Yesterday, in the end, is a rather interesting album but is not up to the level of previous works. Atreyu have taken the path of melody, but they have still produced some interesting tracks, even if often predictable; the album is recommended to fans of the genre and the band, although I don't exclude that some might frown after a few listens.
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