ALBUM REVIEW: Baptize – Atreyu

It’s easy to forget when exactly ATREYU broke through. Their current output is so wildly different, it’s hard to believe the five piece rode the ripples of the new wave of American heavy metal. Sometimes it works against them. If Congregation Of The Damned (2009) was the last record you heard from the quintet; 2018’s In Our Wake would have you questioning your own sanity. The truth is though: the band’s contemporaries are no longer UNEARTH, AS I LAY DYING, or ALL THAT REMAINS. Their more simplistic, pop fused approach instead bunches them with FALLING IN REVERSE and ICE NINE KILLS.

Even with all that context in mind – ATREYU‘s new direction brings with it some questionable results. With the departure of Alex Varkatzas three years ago, former drummer Brandon Saller now takes the lead on vocals. It was a shrewd move, Saller‘s chorus chimes have been a staple for the band since their debut outing Suicide Notes And Butterfly Kisses. Having a familiar voice at the forefront doesn’t save new record Baptize from constantly flirting with collapse, though.

There are small bursts of light hearted fun to be had here, no doubt. Saller‘s delivery of Catastrophe‘s epic chorus is capturing, Fucked Up‘s breakdown is razor sharp, and No Matter What‘s anthemic backbone is cinematic. But for the most part – Baptize sounds obsessed with fitting in with the new kids on the block. Its lyrical themes are often reworks of predictable clichés, and the insistence of including synth notes wherever possible is tiring.

Baptize‘s misfires range from the slightly lame, predictable Broken Again, to the outright dire Untouchable. The latter’s hap hazard, derivative message of inner strength is made only worse by a bizarre Jacoby Shaddix guest spot. The PAPA ROACH frontman’s opening vocals of “watch out, or you won’t even see me coming” set an eye rolling scene, and it doesn’t get better from there. With both PAPA ROACH and ATREYU in a similar position of their careers – this all just connotes out of touch.

Elsewhere, Baptize is happy to be insipid. ATREYU certainly try to add character, but it’s often to no avail. Thankfully Matt Heafy only lends his winding solo to the otherwise meandering Oblivion, and Warrior‘s gang vocals are just as cringeworthy as the song title suggests.

ATREYU never try to hide the band they want to be. This isn’t a metalcore record that flirts with rock. In fact, if anything, it’s the opposite. Credit where it’s due: they haven’t gone half hearted on this new musical stance. However, this watered down, semi credible iteration of the Californians becomes tiresome quickly. Baptize offers an occasional chorus hook or slick solo – and very little else.

Rating: 5/10

Baptize is out now via Spinefarm Records.

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