Baptize (album)
Baptize | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | June 4, 2021 | |||
Genre | Hard rock,[1] arena rock,[2] pop metal[3] | |||
Length | 41:16 | |||
Label | Spinefarm | |||
Producer | John Feldmann | |||
Atreyu chronology | ||||
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Singles from Baptize | ||||
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Baptize is the eighth studio album by American rock band Atreyu. It was released on June 4, 2021 through Spinefarm Records and was produced by John Feldmann.[4][5] It is the first album not to feature vocalist and founding member Alex Varkatzas who left the band in September 2020.[6] The album received polarized reviews from music critics, with praise going towards the ambition, but criticism primarily going to lack of focus and consistency.
Background and promotion
In late August 2020, it was rumored that vocalist Alex Varkatzas had left the band.[7] After some uncertainty following these reports,[8] the band officially announced that they were parting ways with Varkatzas a month later on September 30.[9] On October 16, the band officially released the new single "Save Us" along with its music video.[10][11]
On March 4, 2021, the band released two singles, "Warrior" featuring Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker and "Underrated" along with two corresponding music videos. At the same time, the band announced the album itself, the album cover, the track list, and release date.[12][13] On May 4, one month before the album release, the band released the fourth single "Catastrophe". A week later, they also unveiled the music video for the song.[14][15]
Critical reception
Aggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Themusic.com.au | [3] |
Wall of Sound | 9/10[21] |
The album received mixed to negative reviews from critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalised rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album has an average score of 51 out of 100 based on 4 reviews, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[16] AllMusic gave the album a positive review but saying, "If the slickness of its predecessor was a turn-off for longtime fans, then Baptize is sure to disappoint, as it plays out like a sizzle reel for modern rock production. The playing is strong throughout, but Feldmann's fondness for boa constrictor-like compression renders the album as a whole strangely inert."[17] Dead Press! rated the album positively, stating: "Whilst Baptize is somewhat of a gamble for the Californians, Atreyu show a willingness to evolve their sound yet again. Granted, the record as a whole could have had a better impact if presented as a shorter collection of songs, but there are still standout moments to enjoy."[18] Distorted Sound scored the album 5 out of 10 and said: "ATREYU never try to hide the band they want to be. This isn't a metalcore record that flirts with rock. In fact, if anything, it's the opposite. Credit where it's due: they haven't gone half hearted on this new musical stance. However, this watered down, semi credible iteration of the Californians becomes tiresome quickly. Baptize offers an occasional chorus hook or slick solo – and very little else."[19] Owen Morawitz of Exclaim! rated the album 4 out of 10 and said: "Baptize has all the lasting impact of a post-energy drink buzz, sounding about as unique and memorable as the rumbling static from a festival side stage you passed over in favour of the headliner. It's clear Atreyu crave rebirth in the crucible of lifeless arena rock, but with a selection of tracks this dull and inoffensive, they'll probably get their wish. That may sound cocky, but I don't care."[2]
Track listing
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Strange Powers of Prophecy" |
| 1:03 |
2. | "Baptize" |
| 2:49 |
3. | "Save Us" |
| 2:21 |
4. | "Underrated" |
| 3:00 |
5. | "Broken Again" |
| 2:35 |
6. | "Weed" |
| 2:17 |
7. | "Dead Weight" |
| 3:14 |
8. | "Catastrophe" |
| 2:44 |
9. | "Fucked Up" |
| 2:45 |
10. | "Sabotage Me" |
| 2:45 |
11. | "Untouchable" (featuring Jacoby Shaddix) |
| 3:05 |
12. | "No Matter What" |
| 3:48 |
13. | "Oblivion" (featuring Matt Heafy) |
| 2:57 |
14. | "Stay" |
| 3:01 |
15. | "Warrior" (featuring Travis Barker) |
| 2:45 |
Total length: | 41:16 |
Personnel
Atreyu
- Brandon Saller – vocals, additional guitars, keyboards, piano, programming
- Dan Jacobs – guitar, backing vocals
- Travis Miguel – guitar, backing vocals
- Marc "Porter" McKnight – bass, unclean vocals
- Kyle Rosa – drums, backing vocals
Additional musicians
- Jacoby Shaddix – guest vocals on track 11
- Matt Heafy – guest vocals on track 13
- Travis Barker – additional drums on track 15
Additional personnel
- John Feldmann – production, engineering, recording
References
- ^ a b c Leivers, Dannii (June 3, 2021). "Atreyu's Baptize album review". Louder Sound. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
- ^ a b c "Atreyu's 'Baptize' Has All the Lasting Impact of a Post-Energy Drink Buzz". Exclaim!. June 3, 2021. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
- ^ a b c Sievers, Alex (June 4, 2021). "Album Review: Atreyu – Baptize". Themusic.com.au. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
- ^ "Atreyu announce upcoming album Baptize, share two new songs". Kerrang!. March 5, 2021. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
- ^ "Atreyu Have Announced The Details Of Their New Album 'Baptize'". Rock Sound. March 4, 2021. Archived from the original on August 18, 2021. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
- ^ "ATREYU Officially Parts Ways With Singer ALEX VARKATZAS". Blabbermouth.net. September 30, 2020. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
- ^ "ATREYU Part Ways with Founding Vocalist Alex Varkatzas". Lambgoat. August 22, 2020. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
- ^ Hartmann, Graham (August 24, 2020). "Atreyu Vocalist Says 'Fake News' Following Reports He's Left the Band". Loudwire. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
- ^ "NEWS: Atreyu confirm departure of vocalist, Alex Varkatzas!". Dead Press!. September 30, 2020. Archived from the original on August 18, 2021. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
- ^ "Atreyu Reveal Revised Lineup, New Song 'Save Us'". Loudwire. October 16, 2020. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
- ^ "Atreyu Reveal New Single 'Save Us'". Wall of Sound. October 16, 2020. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
- ^ "Atreyu Debut 2 New Tracks From Forthcoming Album BAPTIZE". Wall of Sound. March 5, 2021. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
- ^ "Atreyu Announce New Album 'Baptize,' Share Travis Barker Collaboration". Exclaim!. March 4, 2021. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
- ^ "Atreyu Are Thriving This Year with New Song 'Catastrophe'". Wall of Sound. May 4, 2021. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
- ^ "ATREYU Releases Music Video For 'Catastrophe'". Blabbermouth.net. May 13, 2021. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
- ^ a b "'Baptize' on Metacritic". Metacritic. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
- ^ a b Christopher Monger, James. "Atreyu Baptize". AllMusic. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
- ^ a b Taylor, Damon (June 6, 2021). "ALBUM REVIEW: Atreyu – Baptize". Dead Press!. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
- ^ a b Pugh, Kris (June 4, 2021). "ALBUM REVIEW: Baptize – Atreyu". Distorted Sound Mag. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
- ^ a b Hickie, James (June 2, 2021). "Album review: Atreyu – Baptize". Kerrang!. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
- ^ a b May, Tamara (June 2, 2021). "Atreyu – Baptize (Album Review)". Wall of Sound. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
- ^ "Baptize by Atreyu". Apple Music. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
- ^ Baptize (Booklet). Spinefarm Records. 2021.