Atreyu
The Curse
Victory Records, June 2004
Offensive Words: 7 (all f words)
Genre: melodic hard core/metal
Check out Norma Jean or Haste the Day.
Blending a gothic appeal with melodic hard
core and metal, Atreyu has released their sophomore album, The Curse.
Not a typical sound for southern California but these guys make it
work for them and are growing an underground fan base via Ozzfest.
Taking themes of isolation and paranoia, memory and vampire immortality
as well as potency and power, Atreyu blends these themes to give you on
outlook into their personal lives.
Musically
Musically
the band was like mixing some Linkin Park with any emo band out there.
I'm just not a fan of these guys musically, vocally or lyrically.
To each their own and this is my opinion of the album. Just cause
a band throws in some double kick drum hear and there and distortion
doesn't make them unique. They have some decent tracks but still
there is just something about the mix I don't care for.
"Corseting" for example has some great guitar riffs and
drumming but it is mixed with almost an overtone of emo.
Lyrically/Vocally
Vocally there is a good blend of screams and singing. Pretty
good range and style but the vocals have more of a typical hard rock
sound and didn't really stand out to me. But lyrically is where I
am gonna have the biggest problems. The cd is full of metaphors of
blood and extreme violence. If there are positive messages, they
are blended in tightly and not open. The lyrics would go great for a
horror movie soundtrack involving love triangles and chaos and there was
even an Anne Rice reference or two thrown in. I'm not a fan of dark
lyrics unless there is a message of light and hope. There were a
few instances of the band proclaiming for the listener to stand up and
not give up but they were quickly overshadowed with vampire type
metaphors.
Due to the negative style and overall violent overtones I give this cd a
rated 'r' and toss it back in a pile of non listened to cd's.
"Bleeding Mascara"
What the f*** do you think love means?
It's much more than words and feelings sucking me dry
Is my marrow that sweet?
Your dead lovers have left a trail of broken hearts and misspent hopes
Sucking them dry
Does their marrow taste of sweetness, sweetness?
I hope you choke
"This Flesh a Tomb"
The bite marks on my neck never felt so good
I'm losing control and it's all that I can do
Not to blackout and fall into lust with you
Your kisses infect me
The dark gift is loving you
And I feel immortal and I want to make you feel the same
So stand by me as we emulate
We can burn in each other's arms
"You Eclipsed Me"
I began my ascent at minus zero
You made so sure of that
You tried to keep me down here
Your complacency has been your downfall
Nobody made you king of the world
And I'm here to dethrone you
So kiss the ring mother f*****
It's my time, my time to shine
Grasping for the straws as they fall
Maybe you can make a splint for your broken ego
For your broken ego
"The Crimson"
Will you still hold me when you see what I have done?
Will you still kiss me the same when you taste my victim's blood?
So crimson and red, I feel it flowing from your lips
"Corseting"
Just swallow the pill and think of me no longer
Just let go and take yourself out
Before I kill you too
Aren't you tired of my f****** you over and over?
You were the last person I wanted in my sights
And my heart honestly breaks when I think of you
I understand now what I-love-you means -
It's doing the right thing no matter of the consequence
I'm tying you up, using the nicest lace
Trying to kill you softly, trying to erase your face
"Five Vicodin Cased with a Shot of Clarity"
I'm sorry, I don't think it's going to be okay this time
My heart has skipped its final beat
It's beating me down onto the floor
That must mean that the pills are working
The glass isn't half empty this time
I smashed it to the ground a long long time ago
It shattered when it fell and I broke to pieces
Each shard's another reason, another way to give up