ATREYU "A Death Grip on Yesterday" (Victory) Review by Jordan A. Baker
Employing perhaps a "less is more" philosophy, ATREYU's third full-length, A Death Grip On Yesterday clocks in with only nine songs, covering a brisk 32 minutes. Fortunately, ATREYU have greatly streamlined their sound since 2004's The Curse, scuttling away the creeping arena rock cockiness and refining their metalcore origins with hook-laden, headbangin' hard rock. A Death Grip On Yesterday is pulsating, weighty, melodic, and suprisingly well-structured. Working with producer Josh Abraham has helped the band remove any trace of filler from its songs and overall, ATREYU presents itself like a much more professional unit. All sorts of little things help ATREYU build out their sound on this album, including backing vocals that are neatly faded into the mix, or slight electronic beats that add depth to the crushing guitars and busy, but fluid percussion. From the thrashy "We Stand Up" to the lush, EIGHTEEN VISIONS-like "The Theft," and the album's beautifully infectious single "Ex's and Oh's," A Death Grip on Yesterday offers a much more likable, talented, and honest sounding ATREYU... something that I didn't think was possible after The Curse. Well done fellas, well done.
