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Atreyu

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Band Timeline

1998

Formation and Early Independent Releases

Atreyu was formed in 1998 in Yorba Linda, California, originally under the name Retribution before changing to Atreyu, inspired by a character from Michael Ende's The Neverending Story. The lineup then was Alex Varkatzas on lead vocals, Dan Jacobs and Travis Miguel on guitars, Kyle Stanley on bass, and Brandon Saller joining as drummer after being invited by his brother Ryan Saller. They independently released their seven-track EP 'Visions' in 1998, which was sold at live shows, marking their first musical output. They followed with a five-track EP 'Fractures in the Facade of Your Porcelain Beauty' released through underground label Tribunal Records, setting the foundation for their style and future works.
2001-2002

Signing to Victory Records and Debut Album Release

In 2001, Atreyu signed with Victory Records, a pivotal move that propelled them into wider national attention. The following year, 2002, they released their debut studio album 'Suicide Notes and Butterfly Kisses.' This album featured Alex Varkatzas on lead vocals with Brandon Saller contributing clean vocals mainly in choruses. Singles such as 'Ain't Love Grand' and 'Lip Gloss and Black' were supported by music videos, with the latter gaining significant airplay on Headbangers Ball and Uranium, marking their breakthrough into the mainstream metalcore scene.
2004

Breakthrough with The Curse and Soundtrack Features

Atreyu released their second album, 'The Curse,' in 2004, which sold around 450,000 copies. This album continued to showcase their blend of melodic singing and aggressive screaming. Atreyu gained further exposure by contributing a cover of Bon Jovi's 'You Give Love a Bad Name' to the Mr. and Mrs. Smith movie soundtrack, as well as the track 'Her Portrait in Black' to the Underworld: Evolution soundtrack. Their song 'Right Side of the Bed' was also featured in the video game Burnout 3: Takedown. During this period, bassist Kyle Stanley left the group and was replaced by Marc 'Porter' McKnight.
2006

Success of A Death-Grip on Yesterday and Madden NFL 07 Feature

Atreyu released the album 'A Death-Grip on Yesterday' on March 28, 2006. This album peaked at number 9 on the Billboard 200 chart, selling 69,000 copies in the first week. It featured a balanced mixture of Brandon Saller's melodic clean vocals and Alex Varkatzas's screaming. The lead single 'Ex's and Oh's' was notably featured on the Madden NFL 07 video game soundtrack, increasing the band's reach beyond traditional metalcore audiences and solidifying their commercial success and broader cultural impact.
2007

Label Change and Release of Lead Sails Paper Anchor

In early 2007, Atreyu signed a new record deal with Hollywood Records for American distribution and Roadrunner Records internationally. Under the new labels, they prepared and released their fourth studio album 'Lead Sails Paper Anchor' on August 28, 2007. The album debuted at number 8 on the Billboard 200 with first-week sales of 43,000 copies. Notable promotional tactics included an interactive jigsaw puzzle on their website for the single 'Becoming the Bull.' The album demonstrated a further evolution in their style, incorporating more melodic elements and extended clean vocals from Brandon Saller.
2009

Release of Congregation of the Damned and Continued Touring

Atreyu released 'Congregation of the Damned' in 2009, continuing their presence in the heavy rock scene. This period was marked by consistent touring and growth in their fanbase. The band incorporated more aggressive tones while maintaining their signature blend of aggressive and melodic vocals. This album was part of their continued evolution and helped maintain their relevance in the changing landscape of rock and metal music during the late 2000s.
2015

Return with Long Live

After a hiatus and lineup changes, Atreyu returned in 2015 with the release of their seventh studio album, 'Long Live.' This album marked a resurgence in the band’s activity and commitment to their roots while modernizing their sound. It was embraced by fans and critics alike, indicating the band’s successful comeback and the enduring passion of their fanbase for their musical style blending metalcore and melodic hard rock.
2018

Release of In Our Wake and Continued Evolution

In 2018, Atreyu released 'In Our Wake,' continuing to build on their blend of heavy instrumentation and melodic vocals. The album showed a matured band experimenting within the metalcore genre and engaging with themes relevant to their audience. Their sound balanced accessibility with intensity, keeping loyal fans engaged and reaching new listeners.
2021

Baptize Album and Sound Development

In 2021, Atreyu released 'Baptize,' their eighth studio album, which illustrated further development in their sound incorporating more experimental elements and broader influences. The album reflected the band’s willingness to evolve artistically, blending new production styles while retaining the core elements of their identity. 'Baptize' demonstrated their capacity to innovate within their genre and retain a contemporary edge.
2023

Release of The Beautiful Dark of Life

The band’s ninth studio album, 'The Beautiful Dark of Life,' was released in 2023, adding to their extensive discography. This release highlighted Atreyu’s longevity and consistent output over 25 years as a band. The album continued to showcase their ability to blend hard-hitting metalcore with melodic and nuanced songwriting, appealing to both long-time fans and contemporary metal audiences alike, confirming their status as an enduring fixture in the American rock scene.

Albums

atreyu_1st_album
Suicide Notes and Butterfly Kisses
10 tracks
2002
atreyu_2nd_album
The Curse
13 tracks
2004
atreyu_3rd_album
A Death‐Grip on Yesterday
9 tracks
2006
atreyu_4th_album
Lead Sails Paper Anchor
12 tracks
2007
atreyu_5th_album
Congregation of the Damned
13 tracks
2009
atreyu_6th_album
Long Live
13 tracks
2015
atreyu_7th_album
The Curse (Instrumental)
13 tracks
2017
atreyu_8th_album
In Our Wake
14 tracks
2018
atreyu_9th_album
Baptize
15 tracks
2021
atreyu_10th_album
The Beautiful Dark of Life
15 tracks
2023
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Members

Current

Name
Begin
Occupation

Travis Miguel

2000

Guitar

Dan Jacobs

1998

Guitar

Background vocals

History

Name
Begin
End
Occupation

Brian O’Donnell

1998
1998

Bass guitar

Brandon Saller

1998
2011

Keyboard

Lead vocals

Piano

Guitar

Brian O’Donnell

1998
1998

Background vocals

Chris Thomson

2001
2004

Background vocals

Chris Thomson

2001
2004

Bass guitar

Alex Varkatzas

1998
2020

Lead vocals

Kyle Stanley

1999
2001

Bass guitar

Story of Atreyu

Atreyu: A Heavy Metal Journey From California's Underground

Atreyu, the American metalcore titans, emerged from the fertile musical landscape of Yorba Linda, California in 1998. Initially known as Retribution, the band underwent a name change and lineup shift, embracing a heavier sound. Inspired by the character from Michael Ende's iconic novel "The Neverending Story," Atreyu embarked on their journey to conquer the music world.

Their early days saw the release of two independent EPs: "Visions," a seven-track showcase of their raw talent, and "Fractures in the Facade of Your Porcelain Beauty," a five-track gem released through the underground label Tribunal Records. These early works laid the foundation for their future success and featured tracks that would be revisited and refined in subsequent releases.

A pivotal moment arrived in 2001 when Atreyu inked a deal with Victory Records, a move that would catapult them to prominence. This partnership saw them unleash a string of critically acclaimed albums that cemented their place in the metalcore scene. The original lineup comprised Alex Varkatzas on lead vocals, Dan Jacobs and Travis Miguel on guitars, and Kyle Stanley on bass.

Atreyu's unique blend of heavy riffs, melodic vocals, and aggressive screams quickly captured the attention of metalheads worldwide. Their journey, however, was just beginning. The following years saw the release of a string of acclaimed albums, including "Suicide Notes and Butterfly Kisses" (2002), "The Curse" (2004), and "A Death-Grip on Yesterday" (2006), solidifying their place as a force to be reckoned with in the metalcore genre.

The band's evolution continued with "Lead Sails Paper Anchor" (2007), "Congregation of the Damned" (2009), and "Long Live" (2015). Each album showcased their musical growth and experimentation, pushing boundaries and exploring new sonic landscapes while maintaining their signature aggression.

Their relentless pursuit of artistic expression continued with "In Our Wake" (2018), "Baptize" (2021), and their latest release "The Beautiful Dark of Life" (2023), proving that Atreyu remains a vital and relevant force in heavy music.

Today, the band boasts a powerful lineup featuring Brandon Saller on lead vocals, Dan Jacobs and Travis Miguel on guitars, Marc "Porter" McKnight on bass and unclean vocals, and Kyle Rosa on drums. Atreyu's impact on the metalcore scene is undeniable, with their music continuing to inspire and ignite passion in fans across generations. From their early independent beginnings to their current standing as metalcore icons, Atreyu's journey is a testament to their unwavering dedication to their craft and their ability to connect with a devoted legion of fans worldwide.

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