KNAC.Com Talks Atreyu & COTD

KNAC.com posted an article talking about the "summer music scene" where they mentioned Atreyu's upcoming Congregation of the Damned as well as an interview with Dan. Below is an excerpt from the article (emphasis my own).

"I spent a little while interviewing members of Atreyu who would be hitting the main stage third, after Hollywood Undead who I completely missed. The boys from my town of Huntington Beach, Ca. have recording a new CD, entitles “Congregation of The Damned” (out Oct. 27th), and I recently witnessed an AMAZING set by them a few months back at the Rock On The Range festival in Columbus, Ohio.

Guitarist Dan Jacobs told me that the band will be touring in support of their latest CD this fall with the previously mentioned, Hollywood Undead. He also said that their upcoming record would be a change in direction to some of the old-school metalcore sound of Atreyu’s earlier work. “Very KNAC.COM friendly, I’m guessing”? I asked. To which he exclaimed “We have some surprises for you”.

As for their set, it was an all too brief half hour. It DID however, kick ass. Lead singer Alex Varkatzas is a dynamo on stage. Lots of energy as you would expect and great musicianship. Guitarists Jacobs and Travis Miguel shined in songs like “Right Side Of The Bed” and “Ex’s And Oh’s”. They even played a new song “Bleeding Is A Luxury” from their new CD..."

Less than a month away people!!! The link to this article can be found here.

Atreyu Pic Of The Day #15

Atreyu Pic Of The Day #14

Atreyu Pic Of The Day #13

Projekt Revolution Images

After a few days of downpour news it was inevitable that there would be a dryspell. ::sadface:: So, I decided to upload some pictures that were shared with me from Loretta and The Vampire You Know of Atreyu at Projekt Revolution last year. The photo album can be found here. Thanks for the pictures, girls!

Hope you enjoy!

Atreyu Pic Of The Day #12

Atreyu's In Arizona Today

Atreyu is in Phoenix to play KUPD’s Summer Scorcher. If anyone attends and would like to share their story as well as any pictures or videos from the event. Please e-mail me at atreyufans@gmail.com

Below you can read what Brandon and Atreyu have Twitter about today!

Atreyu Pic Of The Day #11

Atreyu Pic Of The Day #10

Cleveland Examiner Talks Atreyu's COTD

The Cleveland Examiner posted a story about Atreyu today. A good half of it provides some insight into Congregation of the Damned.

"...For instance through the 13 songs offered, Atreyu covers a variety of ground, that includes heavy raw emotion found all over this album - “Stop! Before It’s Too Late and We’ve Destroyed it All,” being an enraged raw driven tune, whereas a more anthemic metal tune "Carried Away," carries the music down a much matured route/ Taking the music down a note just a tad while the more brutal side-effects of cinematic rock ballad "You Were the King Now You're Unconscious," takes Atreyu's music ability to a higher standard. At this same time, they're making various nods to the music, they grew up on, still in love with it all going down the lines of sounding a lot like Black Flag, down to Pantera, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, and Motley Crue. While there is no shortage of euphoric sing-along melodies, the songs are more ferocious than anything since 2004’s “The Curse."

Atreyu’s follow-up to their previous release, this album clearly being nothing more, and nothing less than its title claims it to be….the “Congregation of the Damned.”

The full article can be found here.

Atreyu Pic Of The Day #9

"Storm" and "Stop" Lyrics Posted

I have posted the lyrics to "Stop! Before It's Too Late..." and "Storm to Pass" up today. They can be viewed by clicking on lyrics (see the left of this page).

They are not official lyrics. When official lyrics are released I will post them.

"Storm To Pass" Video Wraps

Brandon has updated his Twitter to let us know that Atreyu has finished shooting the video to their first single off Congregation of the Damned called "Storm to Pass."


See the previous posts for further information on this video. He has also shared a couple pictures from the set. See below, click to make larger.

The video will be released the week of October 12th.

A Beautiful Comment From A Beautiful Person

First things first, I'm an idiot. Haha. With the new site just launched this week and me trying to spread the word and the love I haven't been paying amazing attention to detail. I've been posting a lot. Adding new features and talking to loads of fans who have been so positive and so psyched about Congregation of the Damned.

So... I got a very nice comment from someone just moments ago. After replying and having a short four message correspondence, I came to a realization. I was talking to Brandon Saller's wife.

I nearly died of shock.

Below is the correspondence (click to make it bigger).


I don't know how stupid I was not to notice that she had signed as Ashley Saller. This is amazingly encouraging and is really touching that she looked at my page and took the time to comment.

If you've never seen her before, she is extremely beautiful, and with all the talk of Alex's wedding coming up I decided to feature some pictures from Brandon's 2007 wedding.

Let me say, I'm a guy, so I don't really care for wedding stuff, but this shit is amazing. This is the type of wedding I'd love to have.

(Click the images to make them bigger)

Clearly Brandon is one lucky guy (and Ashley is one lucky gal!). I'm sure I'm not the only Atreyu fan who wishes them both many many years of happiness.

Thanks again Ashley!

Atreyu Online Game + "Gallows" Info

On October 13th Atreyu will premiere a new online game on their website that will give a sneak peak to their new song "Gallows."

Blabbermouth.com had the following to say...

An upcoming video game on the band's web site will premiere on October 13 and will give fans a sneak preview of the track Gallows. In the game, which was influenced by George Romero's classic movie "Night of the Living Dead", players battle a variety of zombies — some of whom resemble powerful political figures — in an attempt to stay alive. The third in a series of ATREYU games was designed by Jason Oda, who has also a designed hit game for FALL OUT BOY and conceived the classic "Dropkick the Faint".

I'll update as soon as the game goes live.

Further Info On "Storm To Pass" Video

Once again, when it rains, it pours. Blabbermouth.net has released some info about Atreyu's first music video for Storm to Pass off of Congregation of the Damned. Below are some of the hightlights.

• First they let us know that it is being shot today and tomorrow (as previously posted here).
• The video is being directed by Sean Stiegemeier (who has worked with Atreyu before)
• It will contain shots of the band rocking out in multiple angles showing storms beginning to form around them
• The director had this to say, "when you dive deeper into the song, you realize Alex is using the storms as a metaphor for the problems you create for yourself. So there are all these people creating these storms that Atreyu are forced to play in."
• Alex (as well as two other people) will play the role of clashing gods as tension and turbulence grows
• The gods will create a windstorm, then a lightning storm that sets the area ablaze and finally a rainstorm that extinguishes the fire.

The music video will premiere the week of October 12th!

Congregation Album Art Unveiled!!!!

There it is. Congregation of the Damned. It's getting really close now!

Atreyu Pic Of The Day #8

New Poll Up

There exists a poll already regarding Atreyu's two new songs. I have added another below it about Atreyu touring with Hollywood Undead. Personally, I absolutely hate Hollywood Undead. Their music makes me cringe and barf and puke all at the same time.

But that's just my opinion.

What's yours? Comment and/or vote on the poll.

Atreyu Uploads Webisode #3

Atreyu Shooting Music Video

Atreyu updated their Twitter today to let us know they are shooting the music video to Storm to Pass today.

RoadRunner Records Interviews Marc & Travis

RoadRunner Records (Atreyu's international label) uploaded an interview with Travis and Marc where they purge their thoughts about Congregation of the Damned. Below are some of the hightlights.

They say that the new album has some of their heaviest moments, catchiest choruses, as well as some ballads.

Marc and Travis both agree that the opening track on COTD, "Stop! Before It's Too Late and We've Destroyed It All", is one of their favorites. They also talk about how much they enjoy performing "Bleeding is a Luxury."

A funnier moment is when Marc can't remember the title to the album's first track. "It's like Stop... something something something...," he says.

They also mention their upcoming tour as well as Alex's upcoming marriage.

Travis tells the interviewer he plans on giving Alex a gift certificate to Target on his wedding day (assumingly a joke).

As for plans after their US Tour, Travis says they say they are still in the process of hammering things out and that the time now is the "calm before the storm."

You can watch the interview here. Thanks to VarkatzasFans on Twitter for pointing this interview out.

Atreyu Pic Of The Day #7

Alex Varkatzas Getting Married In October

Just in case you didn't know, it seems that Atreyu lead Alex Varkatzas is getting married next month. Dan Jacobs updated his twitter today to say the following:

"Just got home from Alex's Bachelor party.... Good dudes, a limo, Strippers, Brazilian BBQ, and MMA fights.... Good times!"

I'll be sure to update when Alex finally ties the knot!

Alex Talks COTD & "Storm To Pass"

NoiseCreep.com interviewed Atreyu front-man Alex Varkatzas and talked about Congregation of the Damned as well as their first single Storm to Pass.

"We're back to what makes us us. We're going to shred, be punk, yell and scream." - Alex Varkatzas

Alex also tells NoiseCreep.com that Storm to Pass is about depression and war.

"You can feel that depression coming on, you can see yourself doing fucked up things, but you can't stop it," he says. "I grew up watching the first Iraq war and the invasion of various countries and how the whole thing became one giant shit storm.

In reference to some fans' (but not this fan here) disappointment with Lead Sails Paper Anchors, Alex had this to say:

"It's got everything from older Atreyu, which I think is a lot heavier and more metallic. And then we've got newer stuff, but our newer stuff is a lot more dark and melodic -- it's not as poppy at all. I think there was a real conscious effort, especially on my part and the rest of the dudes in the band to watch our popmeter, and really get back to a darker, rougher sound."

You can check this out on NoiseCreep.com.

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Ask Brandon (Twitter)

Brandon held a "Ask Brandon 1/2 Hour" on Atreyu's Official Twitter today. Although I don't know what was asked I can discern some of the information given.

• He is in love with DCMA
• His friend Kevin is an "ace dude" who brings him lunch
• He likes candy corn and milky ways
• He wears boxer briefs
  
• Something about black being cliche (probably his favorite color)
• He's "going" with Kevin (what will his wife think? haha jk)
• Neon makes him want to barf
• He likes thin crust pizza with the works or pepperoni
• "Fuck no" to something
• Something is a secret he can't tell
• He plans to ditch a show and go trick or treating
• Something "absofuckinglutely" about sparkling
• He's waiting for FedEx at a studio without TV or A/C
• 2010 he hopes (Solo album I assume)
• He can quit anytime he wants (what? I don't know)
• "Insatiable," he says (perhaps his favorite new track?)
  

If anyone participated and knows what any of his questions were. Please comment!

Atreyu Pic Of The Day #5

MetalSucks Says Nobody Cares

Metal sucks posted an opinion today that claims that nobody cares about Atreyu's upcoming Congregation of the Damned. I strongly disagree. The entire article can be read here. Below are some of the highlights (if you can call them that).

"...the band has made it perfectly clear that they intend for said album to be a return to form after the lackluster results of their sell-out arena rock effort, Lead Sails and a Who Gives a Fuck?"

"Can any band that’s not Faith No More get away with having a exclamation point in a song title? Do we even care?"

"Well, one thing in the band’s favor: there’s a bare minimum of auto-tune here, which is to say, someone seems to have told drummer/co-”vocalist” (I use that term loosely) Brandon Saller to keep his fucking mouth shut."

"I don’t know anyone who’s excited about Damned, and I don’t think this song will do much to change anyone’s mind."

Although many of comments come from whiney bitches talking about how Atreyu "died" when Lead Sails Paper Anchors was released, a few shinning fans can be heard within the noise.

Commenter Ryan says, "FUCK YOU Atreyu is the greatest band ever and this album is shaping up to their best yet!"

Commenter AtreyuRules says, "I’ve never seen a website more fail than this one.

The person who owns this place must be a fatass hip-hop/rap/pop-tarded… I can’t think up of an insult for this. Someone who listens to genre’s like those and has the vagina to say that metal sucks obviously and clearly has no musical taste.

Atreyu is the fucking shit. They’re a great band, one that I will follow and defend.(Though, I highly doubt this insignificant but highly truthful comment will have no impact...)"

We're out there Atreyu Fans! Stand strong!

Atreyu Pic Of The Day #4

"Storm To Pass" Lyrics

VERSE #1
Razor wire,
Give backs for things we've done.
After thoughts,
Of past storms weathered before.

BRIDGE
Oh no! Oh no!
I watch the clouds roll in,
Oh no! Oh no!
It's happening again.

CHORUS
I'll be,
Watching, waiting,
Trembled, shaken.
Will the storm pass over us today?
(Will lightning strike our sins away)
Watching, waiting,
Fallen, shaken.
Will the storm pass over us today?
Or is our future looking grey?

VERSE #2
Aftermath,
Much worse than it was before.
Battle scars,
Some are seen and some are not.

BRIDGE

CHORUS

You can't hide from the dark.
Well I never thought it'd turn out this way, yeah!
You can't hide from the dark.

CHORUS

Hey, Hey!

Atreyu Pic Of The Day #3

Listen To "Storm To Pass"

Well, when it rains, it pours. Atreyu has uploaded another track onto their official MySpace as well as announced it to be their first single off Congregation of the Damned. Lyrics can be found here.

I'll be sure to update when we hear word of a music video.

I'm liking what I'm hearing!

Atreyu Pic Of The Day #2

Atreyu Pic Of The Day #1

I thought I'd do a little fun thing with an Atreyu Picture of the Day...

At least until we run of out pictures, I guess. They will include full band pics, individual member pics, official pics, unofficial pictures, blah blah blah...

"Stop! Before It's Too Late..." Lyrics

VERSE #1
I live, I stalk, I hunt, I eat,
With indifference for all.
I walk, I kill, I sleep, I breathe,
Slowly taking control.

BRIDGE
The sickest part of our species,
Ravenous to evolve.
We spread like a fucking disease,
No vaccine protocol.

CHORUS
And at the end of days,
This will be our legacy we...
Kill! Kill! Multiply!
Till the skies are black and the rivers dry.
Take! Take! We take our time,
We leave no one else behind.
Kill! Kill! Here tonight,
Till the skies are black and the rivers dry.
Take! Take! We ake our time,
We leave nothing else behind.

VERSE #2
I don't feel anything at all,
As rats gnaw on my bones.
I'm not made of the same things at all,
A mechanical heart.

BRIDGE

CHORUS

You cannot stop what never ends. (x4)

BRIDGE

CHORUS

First Single From Congregation Coming...

Atreyu has twittered the following:

Listen To "Stop! Before It's Too Late..."

Atreyu has uploaded the first track off of Congregation Of The Damned onto their MySpace page. The lyrics can be found here. This first track definitely confirms what Brandon and Alex have been saying about the new album; that it is "heavier" and "darker" and "a mix of everything we've done."

This fan here is impressed!

The Congregation Is Coming...

Atreyu has tweeted the following!

"NEW ATREYU MUSIC-This sunday the 13th @ 10:27pm EST. The Congregation is coming for you..."

Atreyu Performs "Bleeding Is A Luxury"

Atreyu performed a brand new track off their upcoming album Congregation of the Damned at K-Rockathon 14 in Syracuse, New York. The performance can be seen above.

Atreyu Uploads Webisode #2

Getting closer to Congregation of The Damned and Atreyu has uploaded their second "webisode." It's mostly them shooting promotional images but it certainly gets the blood flowing!