Congregation of the Damned

『Congregation of the Damned』は、ダークな空気と大きなフックを重ね合わせ、ATREYUがヘヴィネスを深めた第5作だ。よりメロディックな路線を打ち出した前作『Lead Sails Paper Anchor』を経て、バンドは自らの「ヘヴィなハードコア」のルーツへの回帰を志向している。崩れゆく経済や社会への不安を背景に、これまでで最もダークかつ政治的な題材を掲げた一枚である。全米ビルボード200では18位に初登場し、初週の売り上げは2万6千枚を数えた。 先行ラジオ・シングル“Storm to Pass”や、ゲーム連動でも披露された“Gallows”は、攻撃性とメロディを両立させた代表曲だ。冒頭の“Stop! Before It's Too Late and We've Destroyed It All”のテクニカルな激しさから、劇的な終曲“Wait for You”まで、振れ幅の大きな楽曲が並ぶ。プロデューサーにボブ・マーレット、ミックスにリッチ・コスティを迎え、鋭いリフと大きなサビを緊密にまとめている。この後バンドは活動休止に入る、一つの区切りとなった充実作だ。

Congregation of the Damned is Atreyu's fifth album, on which they layered dark atmosphere and big hooks to deepen their heaviness. After the more melodic previous Lead Sails Paper Anchor, the band aims to return to their "heavy hardcore" roots. Against a backdrop of a crumbling economy and social unease, it is a record with their darkest and most political subject matter yet. It debuted at No. 18 on the US Billboard 200, selling 26,000 copies in its first week. The lead radio single "Storm to Pass" and "Gallows," also showcased via a tie-in game, are signature songs balancing aggression with melody. From the technical ferocity of the opener "Stop! Before It's Too Late and We've Destroyed It All" to the dramatic closer "Wait for You," songs of wide range line up. With producer Bob Marlette and mixer Rich Costey, it tightly brings together sharp riffs and big choruses. An accomplished work that became a dividing point, after which the band entered a hiatus.