★★★☆☆
Long Liveis a triumphant return to form for metalcore trailblazers Atreyu.
Their hotly anticipated sixth album comes off the back of a three-year hiatus during which each member of the five-piece actively pursued other musical projects.
Come 2014, guitarist Dan Jacobs took the first steps to reuniting the band by calling a meeting to discuss its future. Those initial meetings revealed vocalist Alex Varkatzas wanted to focus primarily on perfecting his hard vocal technique and do away with any clean vocals going forward. Drummer Brandon Saller stepped up to the plate and offered to take on the challenge of singing while he plays.
The title track opens the album with Sallor’s characteristically ferocious double-kick drumming, before Varkatzas does what he does best – launching into a full-throttle verbal assault on the senses. ‘Do You Know Who You Are?’ has stadium anthem written all over it, while ‘Moments Before Dawn’ showcases the band’s ability to exercise subtlety to set an overall tone. ‘Reckless’ highlights Jacobs’ experience as a rhythm guitarist and Varkatzas’ willingness to experiment with his vocals – a fitting end to a very solid comeback album.
Not since 2004’s The Curse have Atreyu produced such a fine body of work. Long live the mighty Atreyu.
