Atreyu is a metalcore band from Yorba Linda California, formed in 1998. The bands’ name comes from a character in the book “The Never Ending Story”. The current band members are: Clean vocalist Brandon Sallor (former Drummer); guitarists Dan Jacobs and Travis Miguel; bassist and unclean vocalist Marc “Porter” McKnight, and new drummer from San Diego, Kyle Rosa.
The current Baptize tour is in support of their 2021 album and is now concluded. I saw their show at the House of Blues, San Diego on December 15, 2021. The show was high energy and the band performed expertly songs from both past and present. I saw this band with the former line up with Alex Varkatzas on vocals a few times, and I can truly say the band still sounds like it always has with its’ new line up! The set list included favorites from 2002’s Suicide Notes and Butterfly Kisses; 2004’s album The Curse; 2007’s album Lead Sails Paper Anchor, a top 10 of the Billboard Top 200; 2018’s album In Our Wake, and of course new material from the Baptize album. In 2020, with live music all but shut down, the band had some live stream shows, with both a greatest hits show and the 2007’s Lead Sails Paper Anchor in full. I streamed the latter, and it was awesome! Next date to see them is February 16-21st on the Voragos Cruise; Big Creek Belize.
The supporting acts were Saul, Tetrarch, and Crown the Empire. Unfortunately, I did not get to see Saul perform. Saul was formed as a hard rock band in Sutherland Iowa by brothers Blake and Zach Bedsaul. Blake is the lead vocalist and Zach is lead guitar and backup vocals. Myles Clayborne on drums and William McIlravy complete the current members. I arrived as Tetrarch took the stage.
Tetrarch was formed in 2007, and is originally from Atlanta Georgia, now in Los Angeles. The current members are Josh Fore vocals; Diamond Rowe lead guitar; Ryan Lerner bass; and Ruben Limas drums. Diamond Rowe was featured on the cover of the current Metal Hammer issue. Diamond also came on stage to play for one song with Atreyu while Brandon hopped back on the drums! They were a very high energy band and got the crowd moshing. Current releases are the album Unstable and the EP Addicted. Listen to them on XM radios Octane channel or see them live at the May 2022 Rockville festival in Daytona Beach Florida or on the Voragos Cruise with Atreyu.
Crown the Empire was up next. They were formed in 2010 in Dallas Texas. The members are: Andrew “Andy Leo” Rockhold lead vocals, and keys; Brandon Hoover lead guitar; Hayden Tree bass; and Brent Taddie drums. Their most recent album is Sudden Sky was released in 2019; however they just released a new single “Dancing With The Dead”. I have heard some of their songs on XM radios Octane channel, I thought they were a good opener for Atreyu; with great vocals. You can see them live in 2022 on Voragos Cruise in Belize, with Atreyu and Tetrarch or in Arlington Texas at the “So What?!” music festival on May 27th.
In closing, this was an amazing night of music!