Demonology and Heartache by Atreyu
August 13, 2004 | 
20 Comments
The Artist: Atreyu
The Song: Demonology and Heartache
The Album: The Curse
Released 2004
Correct me if I’m wrong but isn’t that little annoying-punk-ass-warrior kid in The Neverending Story named Atreyu??
If so, the name of this week’s artist is somewhat appropriate. The kid in the movie was kinda of a wannabe, kind of a punk yet at the same time you had to sort of like him, although you didn’t really know why. (I personally kept hoping that dragon-thing would eat his ass.) Anyway, he sure as heck didn’t take no guff, but you could see that he had kind of a “softer” side. The ladies loved him, that’s for sure.
So it is with the band Atreyu.
Now this might make it sound like I don’t like Atreyu and I think they are somehow kind of phony. It’s not really that, it’s just that I’m not sure what to make of them. I do like “The Curse” quite a bit, and Atreyu seems to be doing something new, in that they seem to be mixing emo and metal—-with varying success—-and metal is a genre that is in desperate need of something new.
No Atreyu is pretty good, they’re just not all that consistent. I imagine to some ears this might be a good thing, but for me it’s a bit frustrating. There are times they seem to really shine and others where they sound, well, a little “soft”. But then again they’re no softer than any of their “neu metal” predecessors and they seem to have something those bands lack.
All in all I think “The Curse” is pretty good, and I especially like the first single “Right Side of The Bed” and this week’s track “Demonology and Heartache.” It’s a good representation of what Atreyu does best, mixing emo vibes with a pretty hardcore traditional metal sound.
It’s not for everyone, and it’s definitely not “Heavy Metal” but hey, it’s pretty good and if you’re looking for something new in your metal, you could do worse. Much worse.
Recommended if you like: The Used, The Haunted, Unearth, Trapt
Filed under: Song of The Week
Comments
1. Gabriel Mihalache said:
You’re another example of my “theory” that true music “connaiseurs” have broad tastes in music. The “Song of the Week” archive makes my point for me.
I also really like that you usually don’t pick the single off the album… a nice touch. Keep up the good work! :-)
Posted on August 13, 2004 12:37 PM | #
2. anders said:
i’ll add to the RIYL list: Bleeding Through, Thursday, armsbendback, Freya, Grade, and Scarlet.
the whole ‘screamo’ or ‘emocore’ genre is doing very well these days.
and, yes, Atreyu was the character in the neverending story. imdb confirms.
Posted on August 13, 2004 01:30 PM | #
3. Chris Vincent said:
I definitely like your taste in music, Keith. Atreyu, Tool, Death Cab… I love all of these bands.
Atreyu kind of falls between new punk and metal. You get the insane fast drums from punk with the heavy distorted riffs and screaming vocals of metal together. Definitely not for the light-hearted, and definitely not for everyone. That said, everyone should hear their Bon Jovi cover on the special edition of the new album. It kicks my ass.
To recommend a few other bands to Atreyu fans, I’d name From Autumn To Ashes, Funeral For A Friend, and Thrice. There are many other good bands with a similar sound if you look hard enough.
Posted on August 13, 2004 02:53 PM | #
4. Jim Amos said:
I don’t know. I might not be able to get over the name. I’d keep expecting them to break into “never ending stooooreeeeeee oooooooo ooooooo aaaooooo”
btw there’s no ‘e’ in ‘Nu’ - I just checked my official dictionary of stupid made-up words :)
Posted on August 13, 2004 05:24 PM | #
5. Jarno said:
Nice that you mentioned the swedes in The Haunted, great band and lovely that Peter Dolving’s back in the band again. I’ve seen them live approx. seven times now and the kick ass every time.
Some tips for you who enjoy the likes of The Haunted are Soilwork, In Flames, Dark Tranquillity and somewhat more melodic yet brutal Children of Bodom.
Posted on August 14, 2004 12:41 PM | #
6. Ken M said:
The actor who played Atreyu in that movie was Jonathan Brandis. Sadly he committed suicide in 2003
Posted on August 14, 2004 07:17 PM | #
7. RockOfVictory said:
A few responses before I reply about the actual album: According to my imdb research, Brandis did not play Atreyu, but the Atreyu wannabe - in the sequel, no less. Nothing beats the original. Also, Keith, your album link (the photo one) seems to have acquired an extra B in the ASIN section, sending us to an Amazon Error Page :-(
Nice review, by the way. Piques my interest even though I’m more into Christology than Demonology…. Try the band Living Sacrifice if you like heavy metal.
Posted on August 15, 2004 01:30 AM | #
8. Robert Lofthouse said:
Actually, Jonathon Brandis played Bastian in the second movie (the little boy with the book). Barret Oliver played Bastian in the first movie and Noah Hathaway played the child warrior called Atreyu (in the 1st movie). In the second movie Atreyu was played by Kenny Morrison. I just did a little research myself :P
Nice to see you have a wide taste in music Keith. You should definitely listen to Dark Tranquility and At the Gates if you like the Haunted.
Posted on August 15, 2004 02:21 AM | #
9. Tim Hill said:
euugh Thursday…weak
Atreyu are mad, that song, ain’t love grand is awesome as well.
Should check out afterthefall.com.au
I got their CD the other day, pretty cool.
Posted on August 15, 2004 08:30 PM | #
10. Keith said:
Thanks for the recommendations! Also, very sorry to everyone who tried to use the player the last few days, I was pointing to the wrong file, but that’s been fixed.
Posted on August 16, 2004 10:06 PM | #
11. Jason said:
Wow. Pretty neat. I like the guitars, but the song as a whole kind of strikes me as something Glassjaw would do, but with better guitars.
If you’re into the guitar thing, but can’t quite get over the unintelligible screaming (like myself, from time to time), I would recommend the soundtrack to Guilty Gear XX. It’s an awesome 2D fighter for the PS2, and the soundtrack is chock-full of nothing but speed guitar, bass licks and wonderful metal goodness.
Posted on August 17, 2004 08:34 PM | #
12. Danni said:
I just read your review and I just had to comment.
I just discovered Atreyu a couple of months ago and I am to the point of obsession. I love their sound; its unlike anything I have ever heard before.
I think is is awesome that in a world where the Top 40 music consists of anything from Rappers talking about getting some booty, to 14 year olds singing about what they think they know about relationships, there is Atreyu. They are a breath of fresh air comparitivley speaking.
They are completly original. But it seems to me that hardly anyone knows who they are! They are an awesome band that shouldn’t be overlooked.
*just had to put my two cents in*
~Danni~
Posted on August 20, 2004 10:30 PM | #
13. Stephanie Hamilton said:
Atreyu is one of my favorite bands. I have been a diehard fan for 4 years or so. They still arent getting the recognition that they deserve but Ozzfest is a good start.
Posted on August 26, 2004 10:22 AM | #
14. Megan said:
Check out an online video interview with Travis from Atreyu at www.peta2.com/ot/o-atreyu.html
Posted on August 30, 2004 07:57 PM | #
15. mat said:
Atreyu is not fucking emo you dumbass writer it is a mix of hardcore and metal
Posted on September 3, 2004 01:01 PM | #
16. Kaily said:
I think that Atreyu is a kickass band. Everybody in my school seems to be interested in old bands like Led Zeppelin and ACDC which really gets on my nerves because they think just because my music is all screaming it’s not considered music. Well you know what FUCK IT! I love Atreyu and you can’t fuckin stop me ! hahahahaha
Posted on September 7, 2004 05:10 PM | #
17. frog said:
atreyu is one of the best band i have heard in a long time the think i like the most about the band is how they going from being hardcore to slowing it down by using keyboards and such and then jumping back in to hardcore
Posted on September 12, 2004 10:59 AM | #
18. BmxRider AkA Taylor said:
hey guys atreyu rocks dude but other good banda are taking back sunday and the used they all rock but atreyu is the best
Posted on March 3, 2005 12:40 PM | #
19. mash said:
atreyu is the best band ever me favourite song is demonolgy and heartache
Posted on September 1, 2005 12:15 AM | #
20. Suicide Girl said:
best band ever, and the next album will come out the next spring…. i love them!!!
Posted on October 31, 2005 05:11 PM | #
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