Atreyu - The Curse

Atreyu
The Curse
Victory Records
Grade: A-

The Curse starts out on "Bleeding Mascara" like the second coming of Slayer - or at least their red-headed stepchild. Partway through "Bleeding Mascara," Atreyu let off the death-metal and slice shit up with their own brand of metalcore. And this is how Orange County, CA's favorite hardcore band start off their second record for Victory.

When their debut Suicide Notes and Butterfly Kisses hit the ground in 2002 (also just re-released with bonus material), I remember thinking they were like the weaker, little brother of labelmates Darkest Hour. Yet over the course of the past two years, Atreyu has found their own notch in the hardcore world that is easily demonstrated on this record. The five-piece have worked hard on these thirteen tracks to try to divvy up flat-out screaming and melodic utterings. Given the current nature and plethora of 'screamo' bands this is a challenging endeavor. Atreyu have an edge, though, with their swirl and crunch of metal guitars and darker undertones. Part of this tightness was surely precipitated by producer GGGarth and the band's own anal demoing. As such, the final product is a substantial improvement over the debut, though is still not a picture of perfection.

After "Bleeding Mascara's" blast, "Right Side of the Bed" (the first single) comes with an oddly-catchy 80s rock riff that surely grabs your attention. Besides from the riff the next ear catching moment comes from the lyrics "she'll fuck you just for a taste" (a line surely to be edited for radio). Connecting that line to the scantily clothed 'vampire' woman on the cover makes it even more impressionable. Also, keep an ear for the break down on "Right Side of the Bed." "The Flesh of Tomb," while tight, is moderately indistinguishable for the band save for the metal guitar work near the end. "You Eclipsed By Me" is more balls out heavy and "The Crimson" takes the always unfortunate slow delay guitar solo before melting into the meat. "The Remembrance Ballad" takes a similar voyage as "The Crimson," but continues the drudgery past acceptability. I do appreciate the melodic breakdown on "The Remembrance Ballad," but they drop the ball in the next breath. After the instrumental "An Interlude," the thrash guitars come from below on "Corseting" and continue on with the high pitched doubling guitar effect on "Demonology and Heartache." "Demonology and Heartache" does absolutely rock and rivals "Right Side of the Bed" as the shooting star song. Atreyu illustrates some grind on "My Sanity on the Funeral Pyre" and mix it up with some melodic vocals. "Nevada's Grace" and "Five Vicodin Chased with a Shot of Clarity" close out The Curse in climatic dress.

Given the initial success Atreyu had with their first record, The Curse should do much more to blow the doors off the place. Atreyu are going to be rocking the second-stage for the all dates of Ozzfest, so if you interested in some hardcore goings on at the show check them out.