SINGLE REVIEW: Atreyu - Dead
Legendary Californian metalcore band, Atreyu, really let fans worry with their ominous postings to social media amidst what seems to be a black-out or deletion of previous content. Many speculated the band was calling it quits after an active career from forming in 1998 with a discography spanning way back to 2002.
Little me came across them at the very fragile age of 13 delving into the hardness of metal and emocore culture so she is very excited to get re-acquainted with Atreyu years later!
And with carefully crafted with graveyard euphemisms in promotion to release “Dead” in within less than 24 hrs of release I have probably made this single worth listening to over 10 times making it my entire personality (Sorry to those who actively follow me online)
With that, I am going to dive into this newly bestowed single and there’s so much to unpack from it!
I absolutely adore that it opens with an almost broken tapping sound — at first it throws the listener off, but it’s actually a cleverly recorded pick-to-string tap on electric guitar. As it stretches out, the tension builds, anxiety rises, and then boom — the beloved carnage of riffs and that tornado whirlwind of drums comes crashing in.
The track balances perfectly between utter brutality and pop-anthemic choruses, giving both headbangers and moshers something to unite around. I love that it isn’t afraid to drop into new territory, introducing a delicate fingerstyle acoustic section that feels like a tender kiss amid the chaos. From there, the soaring solos weave in and out with an ethereal quality until the vocals reach a breaking point — and once again it all comes raining down with thunderous rhythms and beastly soloing, climbing back to that pop-vocal chorus at the apex. It feels godly. And those breakdowns at the finale? Goooooodness!
This single is the perfect way to kick off a new album cycle — I’m honestly so glad I get to be here to experience it.
Lyrically, “Dead” hits me on a deeply personal level. Growing up with struggles around mental health, those words : - “I feel like I’m dying… what would you say if I faded in the darkness?” - : cut to the bone. Yet even in their heaviness, the way they’re delivered carries so much hope, as if reminding us these feelings can be overcome.
Overall, this track has everything I admire: brutal riffs, even more brutal breakdowns, and choruses that feel massive and uplifting. Despite its dark narrative, the composition makes you feel heard, less alone — like someone is reaching out through the noise. In the end, “Dead” is the opposite of its title. It doesn’t drain you; it gives you life.
I’m so excited to see this band come October on Tour for their 21st anniversary of The Curse.
