Atreyu champions metal for the masses

By Nick Talbot
Collegian Reporter
November 1, 2006

The Electric Factory hosted a packed show last Tuesday night featuring the powerful performances of Chiodos, Every Time I Die and Atreyu. The aptly titled “The World Championship Tour” sought to defend its title and prove to the anxious crowd why it deserved to command the stage.

However, the show got off to an unfortunate start. With all sources indicating that the show started at 7 p.m., eager concertgoers grew more and more impatient as they watched the clock pass 7:15, 7:30 and even 7:45. Soon a lot of complaining emerged from the floor, and the most irritated began to push and shove.

Finally, just after quarter to eight, to the delight and relief of many sweating and bored fans, the members of Chiodos walked onto the stage. Unfortunately, they were the bearers of bad news, informing the crowd that the previous scheduled From First to Last would not be performing that evening due to lead vocalist Sonny Moore having some sort of illness.

Although this left many fans disappointed, Chiodos managed to reverse the mood of this concert by playing well and intensely.

Chiodos had been self-recording EPs, including one in guitarist’s Pat McManaman’s bedroom. Local buzz earned them notice by Equal Vision Records, who put out the full-length All’s Well that Ends Well in 2005. The recognition from this album acquired them a spot on “The World Championship Tour.”

They truly warmed the crowd up. Chiodos had a large enough fan base that many people sang along and were extremely exhilarated by their performance. Songs like “All Nereids Beware,” “No Hardcore Dancing in the Living Room” and “There’s No Penguins in Alaska” energized the crowd and prepared them for what was to come.

This latest tour also allowed Every Time I Die to promote their first DVD, entitled Sh*t Happens. Although the release date was not until Halloween, lucky fans had the pleasure of being told that the band had received a shipment of them and decided to sell them for the first time that night.

Aside from their generosity, they also displayed a talent for tearing up the stage with high-energy antics, Southern guitar riffs and catchy hooks that kept their songs attention-grabbing and memorable. These songs included “Kill the Music,” “Bored Stiff” and “The New Black” off of Gutter Phenomenon, and “Floater,” “Off Broadway” and “Ebolorama” off of Hot Damn!. Those who had not previously listened to Every Time I Die received an earful of raw, heavy rock and roll that was sure to leave them stunned.

Finally, after a long wait, headliners Atreyu finally took the stage. Atreyu emerged from Orange County, Calif. with their EP Fractures in the Façade of Your Porcelain Beauty. Following this would be the full length albums Suicide Notes and Butterfly Kisses and The Curse, both released on Victory Records. They reached mainstream status around 2006 with a track on the Underworld: Evolution soundtrack and the release of A Death Grip on Yesterday, which became a top 10 hit and gave them the opportunity to sign with Hollywood Records.

Atreyu performed a long set with an intense, nearly headache-inducing light show. Vocalist Alex Varkatzas hulked around the stage like a gorilla, intensely growling into the microphone as other members of the band shredded typical metalcore riffs and heavy chugging.

They played songs such as “The Crimson,” along with what Varkatzas stated was “the closest thing they’ll ever have to a ballad,” “The Theft,” and “Bleeding Mascara.”

The captivating show put on by Atreyu left most fans hungry for more, but some older fans uninterested. Yet with the variety offered by Chiodos, Every Time I Die and Atreyu, it seems there was something to satisfy everyone.

talbotn1@lasalle.edu