Atreyu didn’t waste anytime with A Death Grip on Yesterday. This album is nothing but a balls-out rock-metal assault that is sure to leave listeners tired, but thirsty for more. At nine tracks and almost 33 minutes long, A Death Grip on Yesterday is short and ferocious.
The album opens with one of the most abrupt kickoffs of the year. There’s no musical intro, no countdown, just a blastoff of throat curdling vocals on “Creature.” With A Death Grip on Yesterday, Atreyu has seemed to master the art of a metal song being interlaced with hooks that keep people listening. “The Theft” is Atreyu’s version of a ballad, complete with harmonic growls that give the song a more modern feel. There’s even a hint of a punk backbone on “We Stand Up”, while “My Fork in the Road” is a raw, guitar driven track that maintains the overall energy of this album.
“Ex’s and Oh’s,” the first single off the album, gets my vote for a lyric that parallels that of Alkaline Trio saying, “You took me home / I drank too much / cause of you my liver turned to dust…”
Overall, Atreyu get the point across with power and immediacy. Alex Varkatzas’ screams are precise and powerful, while drummer Brandon Saller’s sung parts are equally intense. I give A Death Grip on Yesterday a 9 (out of 10). It’s good to know that a metal band can progress without losing the sound that attracted so many followers.
Suggested Listening: “Creature,” “Ex’s and Oh’s” and “We Stand Up”
By Adam Karol – Senior Editor / Founder
