Atreyu – Congregation of the Damned

Atreyu started their career as a predominantly metalcore dominated act with fairly broad appeal.  Prospective fans became drawn to their clean, accessible take on the genre, with growly vocals that didn’t drown out lyrical delivery.  For many Atreyu served as a stepping-stone into the world of hardcore, but for those already committed the band gained a reputation for “watering down” the metalcore experience.  As the band progressed and saw increased acceptance by the mainstream, they tailored their sound for a greater mass appeal.  But then 2007’s Lead Sails Paper Anchor dropped and distraught fans called foul.  For many, their beloved metalcore act had lost its bite and dulled into a mediocre blend of hard rock and metal.

Two years later, in an effort to appease their once loyal fan base, Atreyu set out with the goal of introducing a jagged edge back into their music.  The result: 2009’s Congregation of the Damned which sees the band confronting a dual agenda: appease the old faithful without alienating their new mass audience.  Despite good intentions, much like any band caught between the mainstream and their roots (see: The Offspring, Metallica), achieving such a balance is easier said than done.

Atreyu approaches this balancing act largely with the interplay of the dual lead vocalists.  The album starts with “Stop Before It’s Too Late And We’ve Destroyed It All,” predominantly featuring the coarse cries of lead vocalist Alex Varkatzas.  The decision to open the album with hardcore vocals serves as a clear attempt at reeling back long-time fans.  Even so, Varkatzas feels rather tame compared to more aggressive metalcore offerings, so the attempt may be met with ebbed enthusiasm.

But after the first track clean co-vocalist Brandon Saller dominates the album.  Both “Bleeding is a Luxury” and the title track primarily draw upon Saller’s melodic hard rock wails.  Typically during choral melodies Saller draws out his lines for a stadium rock effect, with Varkatzas in the background trying to maintain a ragged atmosphere.  Unfortunately, the difference between the aggressive first track and the following mellow ones brings to mind an old fashioned bait-and-switch.  And while I enjoyed the melodic focus, I doubt long time fans will find much satisfaction.

Musically, Congregation of the Damned is also a fairly mixed bag.  When the band lays down some well-executed speed metal chords, like in the aforementioned “Bleeding is a Luxury” or “Gallows,” the tracks feels focused and informed.  But when Atreyu focuses on faceless heavy riffs that would even sound dull on an Ozzy Osbourne album, there just isn’t much to grasp onto (see “Black Days Begin”).  Furthermore, about mid way through, the album hits a creative slump.  Tracks feel recycled, and choruses blend together.  They try staying inventive with odd Roman gladiator arena-like cheering opening tracks like “You Were the King, Now You’re Unconscious,” but once the ambience ends and the riffs kick in, nothing really changes.  As is the story with Congregation in general: what starts out promising only ends in disappointment.

At first, I felt Congregation started off pretty strong and held a lot of promise.  Sadly though, after initial momentum subsides, repetition sets in, and there’s little left to hang on to.