Atreyu – drummer/vocalist Brandon, guitarists Dan and Travis, vocalist Alex, and newly added bassist Marc – are quite busy to say the least. They recently finished recording their follow-up to 2002’s (very) well-received ‘Suicide Notes and Butterfly Kisses’ intriguingly titled ‘The Curse’, which will be released on Victory June 29th. The guys recorded it with GGGarth (Rage Against the Machine, From Autumn to Ashes, Beloved) in Canada and Josh Wilbur mixed the album. Alex relates he and his bandmates were up there for five weeks, and at the time of our chat, he was expecting a mastered version the next day.
So just what can we expect on their latest magnum opus? “We’re throwing some curve balls here and there,” he tempts. “I don’t really wanna ruin any surprises, but it’s a more intense record than ‘Suicide Notes’, revealing, “‘Suicide Notes’ seemed really kind of loose to me, and this record seems really tight and punchy and in-your-face, and just a bigger record with some weird stuff here and there.” One thing he can disclose is that the first single is called “Right Side of the Bed”. He is rather confident in the quality of the material as well. “As a band, when you hear your final product of a new album and you actually like everything on it, I think that’s rare, and I can honestly say I like everything on this record.”
He also explains what the band was working towards on ‘The Curse’: “Musically, we just wanted more metal, more heaviness, and more melody, and we brought that all.” The men who composed the music are Travis, Dan, and Brandon – who also wrote all of ‘Suicide Notes’, while Alex is the sole lyricist, inspired by “everyday life…relationships with people, betrayal, distrust, love, everything.” On this upcoming album, he says in terms of lyrics, he “really wanted to write something that was just a little more intense and a little more specific and focused than on ‘Suicide Notes’,” divulging that he finds some of the lyrics on that previous record to be a bit “artsy and abstract.” The new material, on the other hand, is “more direct and to the point and heartfelt.”
And now the guys have added a new member to the fold – bassist Marc, formerly of Nightfall – who is taking over Chris’ position. They found a replacement easily, not even trying anyone else out. Alex states, “The day Chris quit, Marc joined the band pretty much. He had quit the band he was in and we welcomed him with open arms.” Just what he’s bringing to Atreyu is essential and very much needed, according to the frontman: “He’s a really competent, extremely tight bass player,” concluding, “We’re looking forward to rocking with him.”
Rock they will this summer… So, what most is Alex looking forward to while out tearing shit up across the country while being a part of the metal circus that is Ozzfest? “Just pretty much drinking,” he says in a serious tone that elicits an awkward pause followed by a confused “ah, okay,” on this interviewer’s behalf until he starts to laugh and finally gives his real answer. “Hanging out with our boys in Lamb of God, Bleeding Through, God Forbid,” adding, “Judas Priest is gonna be pretty fuckin’ incredible.” Likewise the guys are simply excited to be on Ozzfest because not only does this mark their first time playing it, it’ll also be the first time just attending the event. Some other bands on the bill are Norway’s Dimmu Borgir, Every Time I Die, Unearth, Slayer, and of course the man himself, Ozzy Osbourne.
Atreyu are just in demand – and, oh yeah, versatile. It’s that simple. How else could one explain the fact that they were actually confirmed to play this year’s Warped Tour “for a day, but,” expounds the frontman, “we were only offered two weeks, and then we got the Ozzfest offer for two months the next day…We cancelled [Warped] right away, but evidently for some reason…we’re still billed for it.” Yes, it’s odd, about a week before our conversation at the end of March, the Warped Website, according to Alex, still had Atreyu listed on the line-up. The guys made a little disclaimer on their site saying they were in fact playing Ozzfest and NOT the Warped Tour…
But as stated before, Atreyu are extremely versatile. To receive offers to play on the punk rock Warped Tour and also Ozzfest proves how many different categories these guys fit into – and is a testament to their massive appeal with fans of various genres. Their epic-like compositions are infused with heavy elements like sick double bass drumming and devastating, crushing guitars, screamed, brutal vocals and plenty of hardcore breakdowns, but also the melodicism – the alternating clean vocals via drummer Brandon, (slight) respites from the harsh storm, piano flourishes as on the ambitious “Lip Gloss and Black”, and overwhelmingly lush soundscapes – much like the band with whom Atreyu are touring next – Long Island’s formidable From Autumn to Ashes in the spring commencing in April. “We’ve played with them a few times,” Alex confirms. “We’re looking forward to [getting] out with them. They’re good dudes.” So catch these guys with FATA and later in the summer at Ozzfest. Alex is adamant that when you see Atreyu, they’re “gonna leave you breathless one way or another,” warning, “It gets pretty intense.”
Interestingly, the boys also will be co-hosting MTV2 Headbanger’s Ball with Freya April 17th. On how the band got the gig, Alex laughs, “I have no idea. We’re just doing it.” “Don’t question” your good fortune I tell the vocalist. “Yeah, I’m just going along with it.” At this point, things are looking VERY good for this O.C. band, indeed.