Atreyu
Baptize

The name Atreyu can only evoke childhood memories for those who lived through the mythical eighties. It was indeed "The NeverEnding Story" (originally and abroad as Neverending Story) that suggested the moniker to the band from Yorba Linda, California, back in 1998. To tell the truth, the name replaced the more subdued "Retribution," not due to homonymy with other bands but for a mere desire to wear a more distinctive and original attire.

"Baptize" was released in June 2021, and the task entrusted to its fifteen brand-new tracks is quite challenging and ambitious.

After twenty-two years and continuous experimentation, which led Atreyu to embrace a swing of genres, the lineup was shaken by the departure of Alexis Varkatzas, the band's frontman since the beginning. Varkatzas's departure led the remaining members of the quintet to opt for a choice as obvious as it was convenient: to move Brandon Saller, a multi-instrumentalist drummer, from the back of the stage to the microphone. Saller was not caught unprepared, having always accompanied drumming with vocal contributions, which over time have become increasingly important in the song's economy. Fate then took care of the rest, with excellent results, one might say.

Atreyu's sound has changed significantly since the time of "The Curse", their 2004 debut album, which saw them much more aggressive, with early 21st-century metalcore that winked at Nordic death metal. They moved first to emo, then to post-hardcore with the subsequent four releases, in a historical period when the genre could boast enormous consensus.

The new change and evident softening would occur with "In Our Wake", in 2018. The catchy sounds, typical of a certain alternative metal, would become a new norm, also embracing more radio-friendly songwriting.

In this regard, "Baptize" immediately showcases the new trend, with a tracklist of fifteen tracks, none of which exceed three minutes, for a total of just over forty minutes of music.

The album opens with the intro "Strange Powers Of Prophecy" and notes of didgeridoo first and organ later, accompanying Saller's voice, evoking sounds like Linkin Park.

From here on, one immediately encounters the overwhelming alternative power of the title track "Baptize", which goes hand in hand with "Save Us", with which it shares a very similar refrain, made up of choral vocals. As we progress, we realize the genre variety in the tracks. "Underrated" and "Catastrophe" are typically post-core, with frenzied riffs and insistent screaming; "Broken Again" and "Sabotage Me", with a melancholic character, take us back to the very early nu-metal.

There are also valuable collaborations. "Untouchable", with Jacoby Shaddix from Papa Roach, is wild and engaging and inevitably enhances the imprint of the latest releases from the Vacaville band. "Weed" and "Fucked Up" remain on the same line, thanks to the rapping and the very lively composition. In "Oblivion", Matt Heafy from Trivium participates, and his excellent timbre brings even more vocal quality, if that were needed. Not missing are the pyrotechnic drumsticks of Travis Barker, an omnipresent patron of Generation Z, who has the task of enhancing the rhythm line of "Warrior", particularly suitable for live settings. Finally, we find ourselves immersed in more calm and reflective episodes with "Stay", "No Matter What" and "Dead Weight".

The lyrics all focus on the exaltation of the interior, with the aim of convincing the listener that nothing is ever lost, that giving up is not a solution to be contemplated in difficult moments, and that it is precisely when we hit rock bottom that we will have the opportunity to redeem ourselves by giving our best.

Critics are awaiting the new work, "The Beautiful Dark of Life", which will be released in 2023, as "Baptize" leaves a seam behind and in its own way constitutes a new starting point for the five from Orange County. A baptism, indeed, as the very fitting title states.

To appreciate or not everything that happened before 2021 cannot condition the opinion on this latest release. "Baptize" is an electrifying, very enjoyable album and does not pretend to make one shout a miracle.

Long live Atreyu then. Maybe, with this name, theirs will truly be a never-ending story.