With their latest, highly anticipated album, Atreyu have thrown a bit of a curveball. Instead of producing The Curse Mk.II, the band has decided to alter their sound to something more refined and mature. Now, this doesn't mean the band has got rid of the roars, the churning and melodic guitar riffs, the dual-vocals and the emotion from their signature sound. This is still Atreyu, after all. Indeed, the band has managed to refine their sound, making it far more focussed. On first listen, the album sounded muted and less... impressive. But, with continued listens, I found the album to be better than the curse. Its melodies are better performed (especially the vocals, which do weigh heavily on the clean side, rather than the powerful screams we know Alex Varkatzas is very skilled at delivering).
Lead single, "Ex's And Oh's" is excellent, and a perfect example of how the band has progressed with their songwriting. The structure, the melodies, the riffs and the rhythm section all mesh together seamlessly. It's nothing like "Right Side Of The Bed" or "Bleeding Mascara" (both from The Curse), which had everyone bounding about their rooms like apes on speed, but certainly it has enough energy and emotion to get you moving.
In fact, that can be said for the whole album. The emotion and content of the album is more mature and skillfully written and performed. The band are older, so perhaps they decided to diminish the power and ferocity for something more thoughtful and meaningful.
Let's just make one thing clear, though: This is not shoe-gazing emo. Far from it. The band still sound very much like the Atreyu you've all come to know and love. A Death-Grip On Yesterday is the band stepping out further on their own and spreading their musical abilities. A natural progression from their previous two hit albums.
Emotional, melodic, powerful, essential.
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