Congregation of the Damned

Congregation of the Damned
Studio album by Atreyu
Released	October 27, 2009
Recorded	Henson Studios, Los Angeles, California
Genre	Metalcore
Length	48:41
Label	Hollywood Records
Producer	Bob Marlette
Atreyu chronology
Lead Sails Paper Anchor (2007) Congregation of the Damned (2009) Covers of the Damned (2010)
Singles from Congregation of the Damned
"Storm To Pass" Released: September 24, 2009 "Lonely" Released: April 12, 2010 "Gallows" Released: 2010

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[1]
Alternative Press	[2]
CWG Magazine	[3]
Fangoria	[4]
Rock Sound	[5]

Congregation of the Damned is the fifth studio album by American metalcore band Atreyu, released through Hollywood Records on October 27, 2009.

Writing and recording

For Congregation of the Damned, Atreyu expressed an interest in returning to their "heavy hardcore" roots, following 2007's Lead Sails Paper Anchor, while also wanting to "move forward."^[6] Comparing the new album to Lead Sails, drummer Brandon Saller stated that "there were parts of 'Atreyu' missing and that we needed back, so we've brought them back." He also went on to claim that the band had been "reflecting on how far we've come and where from. It's stepping forward to new territory but taking with us the best of where we've been."^[7] Similarly, lead singer Alex Varkatzas claimed that the record is a "mix of everything we've ever done. For every song that's more melodic or rock-driven there's a total shitkicker, and I think that's what makes us a well-rounded band."^[8]

The album was produced by Bob Marlette, who has previously worked such artists as Ozzy Osbourne and Airbourne, and it was mixed by Rich Costey who has worked with The Mars Volta, System of a Down and Rage Against the Machine.^[8]

Themes

When speaking about lyrical themes, Alex Varkatzas claimed that since "The music is heavier, I was able to write darker lyrics." He went on to state that the "personal" material encompasses themes such as "self-doubt" and "self-loathing", and claimed that "I'm not singing about dark things to promote them, I'm singing about them so I don't go insane. It's pure catharsis. I make music so I don't go crazy."^[9] On the matter of lyrics, Brandon Saller, claimed that "a lot of them are in a similar vein" to the band's 2004 album The Curse, but without the "vampire stuff."^[10]

On the subject of the album's title, Varkatzas stated:

“

I wrote the line 'Congregation of the Damned' for one of the songs on the album and it got me thinking. It kind of feels like in a lot of ways that we, as members of a society, are just gathering around and collectively getting fucked over. When you look at what's going on in our economy and how other people treat each other, it's kind of like we're all just lemmings. We're lined up blankly staring blindly at nothing and just going along with the flow like a congregation of the damned. So this record really reflects my thoughts and feelings about that in every possible way.[11]

”

Promotion

The band started a co-headlining tour with Hollywood Undead and Escape The Fate in October 2009, and as promotion of album have debuted songs like "Bleeding Is a Luxury" at K-Rockathon 14 in New York State Fairgrounds, Syracuse, NY., and "Gallows".^[12] Atreyu has also promoted their new album in many other ways. For example, 5 webisodes, between September 1 to October 20 every two weeks, have been released advertising the album. They describe the album to "Make more sense than the other ones because they finally realize what they are."

They have also released two songs on their Myspace page, "Stop! Before It's Too Late and We've Destroyed It All" and "Storm to Pass", on September 13 and September 15, 2009 respectively; "Storm to Pass" was also their first US Radio single from Congregation of the Damned. "Gallows" was later released on October 20 in a promotional game entitled "Metal Head Zombies," designed by video game creator Jason Oda ("Dropkick the Faint") which is a first-person shooter, where fans can play here,^[12][13] the game based loosely on Call of Duty.^[14][15]

Dan Jacobs and Travis Miguel also appeared in Issue 5 of the Eternal Descent comic book series, which featured a narrative inspired by the song "Black Days Begin" from Congregation of the Damned.

The song "Ravenous" features on the music video game, Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock.

Atreyu began their The Congregation of the Damned Tour with blessthefall, Chiodos, Architects (UK), and Endless Hallway on October 20 in Anaheim, CA.

Track listing

1. "Stop! Before It's Too Late and We've Destroyed It All" – 3:50
2. "Bleeding Is a Luxury" – 3:32
3. "Congregation of the Damned" – 3:31
4. "Coffin Nails" – 3:23
5. "Black Days Begin" – 3:53
6. "Gallows" – 3:29
7. "Storm to Pass" – 3:48
8. "You Were the King, Now You're Unconscious" – 5:08
9. "Insatiable" – 4:01
10. "So Wrong" – 3:20
11. "Ravenous" – 3:08
12. "Lonely" – 3:40
13. "Wait for You" – 4:01
14. "We Are the Living Dead" (bonus track) – 3:45
15. "Bravery" (bonus track) – 3:42
16. "Another Night (Wishing I Wasn't Here)" (bonus track) – 4:16

Personnel

Atreyu

• Dan Jacobs – lead and rhythm guitars
• Travis Miguel – rhythm and lead guitars
• Brandon Saller – drums, vocals, percussion
• Marc McKnight – bass guitar, backing vocals
• Alex Varkatzas – lead vocals, lyrics

Production

• Produced by Bob Marlette^[16]
• Tracks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12 and 13 mixed by Rich Costey^[16]
• Tracks 6, 8, 9, 10 and 11 mixed by Noah Shain^[16]

References

1. ^ Heaney, Gregory. "Review: Congregation of the Damned". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/album/r1663936. Retrieved 26 October 2009. 
2. ^ Manley, Brendan (December 2009). "File Under: Macho Metal". Alternative Press (Cleveland, Ohio: Alternative Magazines, Inc.) (257): 116. ISSN 1065-1667. 
3. ^ Alfieri, Victor (2010-02-02)."Album Review: Congregation of the Damned". Chicks With Guns Magazine (CWG). http://www.cwgmagazine.com/reviews/2010/02/atreyu-%e2%80%93-congregation-of-the-damned/. 
4. ^ Zahn, James (October 26, 2009). Atreyu - Congregation of the Damned (Musick Review). Fangoria. http://fangoria.com/musick/reviews/4449-atreyu-congregation-of-the-damned-musick-review.html. Retrieved December 3, 2009. 
5. ^ "Review: Congregation of the Damned". Rock Sound. http://www.rocksound.tv/reviews/article/atreyu-congregation-of-the-damned. Retrieved 31 October 2009. 
6. ^ "Atreyu Begin Work On New Album". blabbermouth.net. 2009-04-30. http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/news/atreyu-begin-work-on-new-album/. Retrieved 2009-09-04. 
7. ^ "Atreyu Talk About Their New Album!". 2009-08-17. http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/news/atreyu-talk-about-their-new-album. Retrieved 1009-09-04. 
8. ^ ^{a b} "Blab release". blabbermouth.net. July 31, 2009. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/BLABBERMOUTH.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=124544. Retrieved 2009-09-02. 
9. ^ "ATREYU: 'Congregation Of The Damned' Track Listing Revealed". 2009-09-03. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=126405. Retrieved 2009-09-04. 
10. ^ "14 Facts About The New Atreyu Album We Didn’t Know Yesterday". 2009-07-09. http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/news/14-facts-about-the-new-atreyu-album. Retrieved 2009-09-04. 
11. ^ "Atreyu Album Title". sonicdice.com. August 8, 2009. http://www.sonicdice.com/2009/08/08/atreyu-new-album-congregation-of-the-damned-out-october/. Retrieved 2009-09-02. 
12. ^ ^{a b} ATREYU To Release 'Congregation of the Damned' In October - July 31, 2009
13. ^ BLABBERMOUTH.NET - ATREYU: Pre-Album-Release Activities Detailed
14. ^ ATREYU release Zombie Videogame - METAL HEAD ZOMBIES
15. ^ "Crave Exclusive: Atreyu Launches "Metalhead Zombies" Game". 2009-10-20. http://www.craveonline.com/entertainment/music/article/crave-exclusive-atreyu-launches-metalhead-zombies-game-88451. Retrieved 2009-10-21. 
16. ^ ^{a b c} "ATREYU: 'Congregation Of The Damned' Track Listing Revealed" (September 3, 2009). Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved on September 3, 2009.