Baptize＜Blue Vinyl＞

Long-running melodic metalcore institution Atreyus eighth studio effort marks the amicable departure of vocalist Alex Varkatzas and the debut of frontman/clean singer Brandon Saller, who previously sat behind the kit. Producer John Feldmann, who helmed 2018s like-minded In Our Wake, makes certain that the transition feels relatively seamless, allowing ample room for the band to flex their arena-rock muscles. Saller is a far more robust and versatile vocalist than Varkatzas, and he embraces the groups more mainstream proclivities with a zeal that often helps to elevate tracks that would have otherwise been headed for a future B-sides and rarities compilation. After commencing with the stirring, a cappella Strange Powers of Prophecy, Baptize hits hard early on with a trio of nosebleed section-aimed sonic missiles: the pummeling title cut and its equally unrelenting successors Save Us and Underrated. ~ James Christopher Monger