Baptize (album)

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Baptize
Studio album by
Atreyu
ReleasedJune 4, 2021 (2021-06-04)
GenreHard rock,[1] arena rock,[2] pop metal[3]
Length41:16
LabelSpinefarm
ProducerJohn Feldmann
Atreyu chronology
In Our Wake
(2018) 		Baptize
(2021) 		The Beautiful Dark of Life
(2023)
Singles from Baptize
  1. "Save Us"
    Released: October 16, 2020
  2. "Warrior"
    Released: March 4, 2021
  3. "Underrated"
    Released: March 4, 2021
  4. "Catastrophe"
    Released: May 4, 2021

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[edit]

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[edit]

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic51/100[16]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[17]
Dead Press!6/10[18]
Distorted Sound5/10[19]
Exclaim!4/10[2]
Kerrang![20]
Louder Sound[1]
Themusic.com.au[3]
Wall of Sound9/10[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]

Kerrang! gave the album 2 out of 5 and considered the release to be "...an album striving to do so much, and be so much, in search of fundamental difference. And in spreading itself so thin in the name of newness, Baptize sadly sells itself (and its creators) short."[20] Alex Sievers from Themusic.com.au gave the album 30 out of 100 and said: "When I listen to Baptize, I see it for what it is. A transparent attempt to desperately stay relevant that doesn't know what it wants to be. It doesn't once feel authentic, just cynical and calculated. Like the band are trying their hardest to acquire sync deals in radio, ads, and most likely, sports. I can see certain songs getting flogged during the next NBA or NFL seasons, or even during the current AFL season here in Australia. To Atreyu, get that cheddar; you do you. The band clearly want to grow in listenership and popularity, and this album reflects that by hopping into some new sounds and aiming to fill arenas. Yet these 'experimentations' are never interesting, and the songwriting is so played out. The band's mixture of pop, electronic, rock and metalcore doesn't pan out well over these 15 songs. I loved Atreyu – Suicide Notes and Butterfly Kisses, A Death-Grip on Yesterday and Congregation of the Damned forever – but Baptize is just so disenchanting. I knew what I was getting, expected little of it going in but was hoping to be surprised, and ended up with even less."[3] Louder Sound gave the album a positive review, but stated that is "...like an adrenaline rush that wears off quickly."[1] Wall of Sound gave the album almost a perfect score 9/10 and saying: "Atreyu have cemented themselves as an overarching post-hardcore/metalcore god over the last twenty or so years. On Baptize they're feeding off the best aspects of their earlier records and essentially creating a byproduct of that. This album is still Atreyu being true to their core, while hinting at a style they feel comfortable with performing today. I honestly believe this is the band's best work in a long time, and will be enjoyed by fans, new and old."[21]

Track listing[edit]

Baptize track listing[22][23]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Strange Powers of Prophecy"
1:03
2."Baptize"
2:49
3."Save Us"
2:21
4."Underrated"
  • Atreyu
  • Feldmann
3:00
5."Broken Again"
  • Atreyu
  • Feldmann
  • Varkatzas
2:35
6."Weed"
  • Atreyu
  • Feldmann
2:17
7."Dead Weight"
3:14
8."Catastrophe"
  • Atreyu
  • Feldmann
2:44
9."Fucked Up"
  • Atreyu
  • Feldmann
  • Varkatzas
2:45
10."Sabotage Me"
  • Atreyu
  • Feldmann
  • Hoppus
  • Varkatzas
2:45
11."Untouchable" (featuring Jacoby Shaddix)
3:05
12."No Matter What"
  • Atreyu
  • Feldmann
  • Kirkland
  • Varkatzas
3:48
13."Oblivion" (featuring Matt Heafy)
  • Atreyu
  • Feldmann
  • Varkatzas
2:57
14."Stay"
3:01
15."Warrior" (featuring Travis Barker)
2:45
Total length:41:16

Personnel[edit]

Atreyu

  • Brandon Saller – clean vocals, additional guitars, keyboards, piano, programming
  • Dan Jacobs – lead guitar
  • Travis Miguel – rhythm guitar
  • Marc "Porter" McKnight – bass, unclean vocals
  • Kyle Rosa – drums, percussion

Additional musicians

Additional personnel

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Leivers, Dannii (June 3, 2021). "Atreyu's Baptize album review". Louder Sound. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ a b c Sievers, Alex (June 4, 2021). "Album Review: Atreyu – Baptize". Themusic.com.au. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
  4. ^ "Atreyu announce upcoming album Baptize, share two new songs". Kerrang!. March 5, 2021. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
  5. ^ "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.
  6. ^ "ATREYU Officially Parts Ways With Singer ALEX VARKATZAS". Blabbermouth.net. September 30, 2020. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  7. ^ "ATREYU Part Ways with Founding Vocalist Alex Varkatzas". Lambgoat. August 22, 2020. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  8. ^ Hartmann, Graham (August 24, 2020). "Atreyu Vocalist Says 'Fake News' Following Reports He's Left the Band". Loudwire. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  9. ^ "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.
  10. ^ "Atreyu Reveal Revised Lineup, New Song 'Save Us'". Loudwire. October 16, 2020. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
  11. ^ "Atreyu Reveal New Single 'Save Us'". Wall of Sound. October 16, 2020. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
  12. ^ "Atreyu Debut 2 New Tracks From Forthcoming Album BAPTIZE". Wall of Sound. March 5, 2021. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
  13. ^ "Atreyu Announce New Album 'Baptize,' Share Travis Barker Collaboration". Exclaim!. March 4, 2021. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
  14. ^ "Atreyu Are Thriving This Year with New Song 'Catastrophe'". Wall of Sound. May 4, 2021. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
  15. ^ "ATREYU Releases Music Video For 'Catastrophe'". Blabbermouth.net. May 13, 2021. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
  16. ^ a b "'Baptize' on Metacritic". Metacritic. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
  17. ^ a b Christopher Monger, James. "Atreyu Baptize". AllMusic. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
  18. ^ a b Taylor, Damon (June 6, 2021). "ALBUM REVIEW: Atreyu – Baptize". Dead Press!. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
  19. ^ a b Pugh, Kris (June 4, 2021). "ALBUM REVIEW: Baptize – Atreyu". Distorted Sound Mag. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
  20. ^ a b Hickie, James (June 2, 2021). "Album review: Atreyu – Baptize". Kerrang!. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
  21. ^ a b May, Tamara (June 2, 2021). "Atreyu – Baptize (Album Review)". Wall of Sound. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
  22. ^ "Baptize by Atreyu". Apple Music. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
  23. ^ Baptize (Booklet). Spinefarm Records. 2021.
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