SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: ATREYU – THE BEAUTIFUL DARK OF LIFE

ATREYU
THE BEAUTIFUL DARK OF LIFE
SPINEFARM

The Beautiful Dark Of Life is a culmination of three EPs that Atreyu has put out recently, The Hope of a Spark EP, The Moment You Find Your Flame EP, and A Torch In The Dark EP.  Those titles alone indicate an emotional, musical journey that creates a different way to experience the previously released songs along with new tracks “Dancing With My Demons,” “Insomnia” and the title track.

Mix lyrics of the trials and tribulations of modern life with the anthemic delivery of Atreyu and you’ve got an EP that everyone can relate to in some way.  Although considered a Metalcore band overall, influences of other genres creep in to keep their sound unique.

A good example of this is what I would consider early NIN’s elements in the track “God/Devil”.  Add in a guitar solo for extra measure and a little bit of piano at the end. This track in particular really made my ears perk up.

Each song has its own unique intro, which keeps the flow of the EP from getting stale. There is nothing worse than listening to an album or EP only to have it sound like one really long song.  Although Atreyu’s formula of catchy heavy riffs with melodic and sing along worthy choruses, plus some notable break downs, there’s just enough variety to keep the listener engaged.

Some 80’s rock ballad elements in “I Don’t Wanna Die”, with a pipe organ intro kept my attention. A lot of synth type intros I noticed as well.  You get strings in “Evermore” and guest vocals courtesy of Sierra Deaton in “Death Or Glory”.

I’d like to label this project as a concept EP.  With songs titles such as “Drowning”, “Watch Me Burn”, and “Come Down”, you feel as if you’re along for the ride of someone having an internal dialogue with themselves as they struggle with self-doubt, hitting rock bottom, and feelings of despair. As we listen to lead singer Brandon Saller, we experience these range of emotions with a mix of clean and screaming vocals. With that in mind, you’d assume the EP is slow, dark and depressing, but Atreyu manages to instill empowerment throughout.

The concept of this EP is bound to resonate with many people.  I’d consider it a great showcase of Atreyu’s talent.  Impressive and ambitious.

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