Why Alex Varkatzas "left" Atreyu, that metalcore comment, Dead Icarus, WWWY Festival

[@nickmathis6136]

Alex is such a rad and authentic guy. You can tell he does music for the love of it and for the art of it… not the commerce of it.

[@prestonbrian9860]

i love you Alex you are Atreyu and always will be brother!! Its not the same without you.

[@CDeeez94]

VERY glad I got the opportunity to see Atreyu live with Alex as the frontman twice. Really wish I could have seen them live at the height of their success, but their music really gave me something to relate to when I was going through a rough time. Wish him the best of luck with his endeavors.

[@MysteryArchives]

I absolutely loved almost all Alex, Atreyu records. Many songs represent major moments in my life that I resonated with. Not only is Atreyu not what it was but honestly I think Brandon's ego is out of control as well as his alcoholism. I just can't resonate with the new material. I am really liking dead Icarus so far and I wish Alex nothing but the absolute best.

[@xCenturion183]

A deathgrip on yesterday is my favorite metalcore album of all time

[@Coochiedestroyer23]

Me too

[@Kaylushhh]

I’ll NEVER forget the first time seeing Atreyu live. They were honestly my whole identity in high school. Dead Icarus is giving me sooo much life and I’m so damn happy to see Alex thriving!

[@Kevinratliff13]

I was definitely the same kid my friend

[@christoferrage]

Same lol RIP Atreyu they are not the same without Alex

[@bucknasty69]

First time I saw Atreyu was in ‘04 with Unearth. It was awesome! Still a big fan of both bands

[@DadCore]

Atreyu, 18 Visions, and Avenged Sevenfold got me into the core scene in the very early 2000s. It’s a shame about what happened with Atreyu.

[@JesseGMan7]

For me it was Atreyu, A7X, and BFMV

[@AndreaNataliaContreras]

Same❤

[@AECommonThread2137]

Yeah, and August Burns Red 🔥

[@kayh8962]

Eww avengened 7 fold and old school atreyu... Gross. Not even close. Avenged 7 sucked.. always sucked

[@JesseGMan7]

@@kayh8962 Okay and who do you think is good?

[@PerfectCell9]

His Dead Icarus stuff is excellent .. the three songs I’ve heard are unreal. Can’t wait for this full album 🤘😎🤘🍻

[@robertpoole5652]

The album is masterful! I just got mine Saturday

[@Backlash2224]

You were my favorite part of atreyu. When you scream "then you will have wept as I've wept" in Xs and Os it breaks me down and reassembles me to this day

[@speeddemon8835]

Listening to Atreyu as an adult hit me different… I thought I liked them as a teenager, but as soon as you understand the music, it’s a different experience. Best wishes Alex, always!

[@MiKa_EDS]

Atreyu meant so much to me for so many years. I hung out backstage when I was like 20. Alex barely said a word to me and Brandon was the kindest sweetest man. Regardless of my personal interaction, he is such a talented musician and Atreyu’s music is not even close to how they used to be. Hurts my heart honestly.

[@dallasslim1838]

lol I remember Alex pushed me at meet and greet line at mayhem 2010 he was last one to meet quick hand shake and pushed me out of line haha 😂

[@pieceofdebri]

The Curse is one of the few CDs I still listen to from back in the day. Still rocks.

[@ThePyroKnight]

Great interview! Glad to see Alex excited for new music to drop. We enjoy listening! Rock on!

[@mamipies]

Met Alex many times when he was in atreyu and each time he was always so kind and made it a great experience! He truly cares about the fans! Love his new stuff and will continue to support him and his band!

[@fast_mattw8059]

My first Atreyu experience. Warped tour 05. Standing in line to get in I saw people with Atreyu shirts. Atreyu was a heavy weird band as far as I knew. I was there for emo bands. Like hawthorne and stuff. Then Atreyu took the stage and we were close by and INSTANTLY were hooked. Made my way to the front of the crowd and soaked it all in! Was hooked. Thanks Alex!

[@xdavebmx]

My first time seeing them live was Warped 2005 as well , they were one of the last bands to play at the show in Camden NJ. Loved it, and now looking back, that was one of the most incredible lineups that show.

[@Andy_187]

I still like Atreyu and I like Feldmann, but I totally get what he means. Feldmann really likes making those simple songs, some of them are barely even 3 minutes. 🙃 Some of the stuff he's been making recently with Atreyu and Escape The Fate are catchy but leave me wanting more.

[@snarlsbarkley3030]

I was fortunate enough to get a tattoo from Alex several years ago. We talked dad life, working our, and just general conversation. He’s an incredibly kind and genuine dude.

[@tairapeace]

Alex is the fuckin man! I'll never forget i crowd surfed to the front and Alex let us scream into the mic 🎤 at self help fest! One of my coolest memories😎

[@blazeofglory450]

im so glad someone besides internet trolls actually pointed out the VERY clear division points with the last few Atreyu records, This Dead Icarus project is so much more of what i wanted and what i loved about atreyu, and its not the same thats not what im saying, but you can very clearly see and tell who was writing songs for a while, go listen to Icarus and read the lyrics and listen to the structure, i know hes trying to be down the middle, but he really was the heart of that band.

[@SuperRobotank]

Suicide notes and butterfly kisses is my favorite album! Alex voice and all the guitar transitions are badass, but now Atreyu sounds like an average band so heartbreaking.

[@Empty_Eeyore]

Alex is so humble

[@MelonGearSolid]

I saw Atreyu in Glasgow last month and, although it was a good show, it just wasn't the same as previous gigs. I'm glad Atreyu has chosen their new sound and even gladder(?) that Alex has a new project. Only half way through but enjoying the interview!

[@JeseaLee]

Thanks for checking it out!

[@_travisimo]

Needed to see this, was listening to some old atreyu the other day and was like "What the hell happened to this band?" Will def be checking out Dead Icarus

[@xlakexbodomx]

Maaaaaan, Alex is such a cool fuckin dude man. He's a great interview, good strong head on his shoulders, he's authentic but not entirely too transparent. I wish him all the best and if he keeps putting it out, I'm tapping in!

[@MechMonster]

Dead icarus is what I needed in my life. It fits where I’m at. And it’s inspirational to have that style in my life.

[@justinhobson5377]

Love Alex. Needed this explanation

[@DcYpHa2o4]

This is closure for Me… I understand now… I’m excited to see the future for both Dead Icarus & Atreyu. Thank You for healing my wound. ❤

[@generalrage4001]

Thank you Alex for getting out of the sell out sound. I have grown a hate for so many bands I once loved because they sold out and lost their sound. You do you man!

[@MEDIOCRATES138]

Alex was Atreyu how that butt rock band that exists now even has the audacity to keep using the name is just a shame. Great interview glad Alex is still doing shit

[@johnjayb3d]

Dead Icarus is such a welcomed group. Love the new stuff

[@jxcobaniki6709]

Didn't have a good idea of his character before this but it's safe to say I really like this guy. We are years apart but I think we would be friends.

[@leeolivarez1311]

Alex V Solid Interview, Solid Dude! Cheers To The Future Of One Of My Favorite Frontman In Music! 🤘🏽🤘🏽🤘🏽

[@beatrocker91]

Lacey Sturm would be a bad ass female voice to hear alongside Alex. Either clean or them having a total scream out would be sick. 🤘 Also a song With Matt A7X would be fucking monstrous.

[@JeseaLee]

Huge!

[@GHBobBrownbear]

such a great interview, i love Alex and once Areyu was my favourite band

[@devilette13]

Thanks for the interview! It is what I was looking for. For sure Atreyu isn't the same without Alex, but they are still a good band. Their sound is a bit different and softer now. I like it, but I miss Alex' voice in the songs. Dead Icarus is awesome and finally Alex is back. Well, I listen to both, even it makes me a bit sad that they are two different bands now.

[@Derysss]

Amazing interview, man! Subscribed instantly

[@jackson86n]

I needed this. It's so real. 19 minute mark. Soo true

[@patrickstar6247]

Great interview! Glad we got some insight on this. I remember Alex saying in past interviews he did wanna try singing on Lead Sails Paper Anchor and wanted to get away from it after. It sucks to see Alex and Atreyu have resentment for Congregation Of The Damned seeing as how they never/still don’t play songs from it. Solid record in my opinion. Also Moral Eclipse is so good. The song that made me a bigger fan of Metalcore.

[@SentientPickle]

I don't see anything wrong with Atreyu's change in style if those guys prefer it and don't see anything wrong with Alex preferring the old style. Sometimes people drift apart over time. Frankly the only thing I wish had happened is that they just agreed to disagree and separate rather than any jabs in the media. I'm a fan of bands, but I don't know members as people and never will, thus I don't get personally invested in their lives or the drama. I keep it about the music. If I don't like the music, I don't listen. The public drama, whether leaked or intentionally divulged, only stirs shit up in the fanbase and that's just dumb. I like both eras of Atreyu and I know I'm not the only one that thinks that way and that's fine. But with the drama, fans start feeling like they gotta pick a side and it just isn't their beef.

[@feetallday075]

Love lead sails paper anchor

[@beautague9163]

Lead sails is such an awesome album

[@xb0xisbetter]

It isn't as good as their older stuff, but it is still one of my favorite metal albums.

[@mightymorphinconspiracythe5024]

Oh man that Afrin can jack you up. I was a road rep for a music store. Went to schools and did instrument try outs. I started taking it that first year. I got so sick. I literally was taking it every day 3 or 4 times a day because I couldn't breath. From sept to january... oh man you gotta be careful with that stuff

[@christianbritton1362]

Super down to earth, nice guy.

[@xxnapalmchildxx]

Dead Icarus is fantastic. The new unclean vocals guy for atreyu makes me wanna rip my ears out. Team Alex! 💯

[@Nater-The-Hater]

I loved Alex in Atreyu

[@felipequintela3254]

Alex is half of atreyu. Atreyu will never be the same without alex, alex will never be the same without atreyu. With that being said, we’re the only losers here, music as a whole lost with this separation :/ .

[@fast_mattw8059]

Pin this shit

[@DcYpHa2o4]

Well said… it’s like a wound that won’t Heal… :(

[@ashlierankin8655]

I mean I agree there was loss, but I think fans got what they wanted out of the split. Alex's stuff is sick, while I'm heavily disappointed at missing out on the rest of the guys from Atreyu, I'll definitely check out their side projects. Marc's scream is sick, I hope he lends it to other bands. I'll miss Travis and Dan's guitar sound. But Dead Icarus absolutely fills the void for me.

[@xb0xisbetter]

@@ashlierankin8655 While I upvoted Felipe as well, I agree. This interview seems to suggest that Atreyu changed so much because Alex wasn't curating the sound as much as producers chasing after commercial success were. It seems more like Atreyu was a sinking ship and Alex was fortunate to at least start something new that's not commercial and actually sounds fantastic again. I like some of Atreyu's newer stuff, but even Brandon Saller's side project was much better overall.

[@chrisracer4094]

100 percent, well said man

[@ryandrabing114]

Seen the in Jax a few years back thinking they had broke.. Alex was in the crowd getting down. I love Brian being in the drums singing not a lead singer. I'm here hoping to understand what happened guys help fill me in.

[@OffbeatLiteracy]

Alex was completely Atreyu, without him it’s not the same and never will be. I retired my high school Atreyu The Curse shirt that came with the preorder, time for Dead Icarus merch

[@BigChooch8787]

Sweet show dude. Just found your channel

[@JeseaLee]

Thanks for checking it out!

[@Empty_Eeyore]

Alex seems like such a nice guy

[@gntrihg]

Alex truly was Atreyu and they're worthless without him

[@jeedoucet]

Every work place has employees who come and go, they evolve too depending on how the next manager will be. That’s what happens to band, it’s sad when a good employee leaves because he’s unhappy, but that’s life, people grow up emotionnally and they become the person they want to be. People saying Atreyu shouldn’t exist without Alex are the ones who don’t want to grow up and keep the same stuff over and over again. Atreyu was good from Suicide Notes until their newer stuff and to me, it’s always going to be Atreyu even though I really miss Alex’s vocals because Porter can’t even come close to Alex in a vocal perspective, but it’s still Atreyu because all of the other band members are still there. I haven’t listened to Dead Icarus yet but I’m sure it’s going to be good or maybe not. We don’t have to love everything our favorite singers do. They make choices for themselves and people should respect that. The world of music will always be a toxic place because of the few toxic fans who are a little too hardcore for me, but that’s my opinion. Either way, when you don’t love something, you don’t actually have to go on the social medias and start spreading shit just because you’re unhappy about the new records of any band. There are ways to say you don’t like something without going into the personal side of things. We’ve all made right and wrong decisions in our lives and it’s not going to be different for these singers and guitarists and drummers and bassists and every other instrument players. Let them be and just keep listening to the old stuff if the new stuff doesn’t suit you.

[@devilette13]

What a perfect comment. Thanks! 👍👏

[@JaceMazama]

Just like Alex says, I was personally in a weird place when Long Live came out. Two kids and first big boy job, didnt have a lot of time for the bands I liked. Circling back to it later Long Live is a great album and I wish the band stayed on that track rather than seeing it as poorly received.

[@mateoblanco2675]

World’s best screamer 🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@zac5752]

LETS GO!!

[@joshuasox]

Lead sails my favorite lol. Sorry not sorry it's the best combo of scream and sing. A lot of the hard core folks won't agree but that's just music. Music is so about dynamics without breaks and changes in intensity it gets very stale very quick. Having a few tracks that kick your face in is cool but a whole record with nothing but screaming is just not my scene.

[@aarongavato1924]

The sheer disrespect to play The Curse without Alex 😡 that band is going to make a heavy, flawless record absolutely cringe. awesome podcast though

[@Empty_Eeyore]

They play all his songs

[@christoferrage]

lol they played California is for lovers and they were the last band playing after thrice. I left after thrice played

[@22Kris_Wilson]

The curse intro -outro MASTERPIECE

[@CaliFloMex]

I wished Alex sang at least at the 20th anniversary Curse album show. The band wasn’t the same without Alex

[@Haze1989-v3k]

Honestly it's really hard in their live shows to hear the older stuff without Alex as lead vocals,

[@Oggydog313]

Atreyu EP is still one of the best 5 songs that they ever made

[@Alucard99926]

iam number 6 , love u alex, u are atreyu !

[@josephjosuemora8394]

Alex and I have the same mug! 🥰

[@ohZO_]

Atreyu without Alex just isnt Atreyu anymore. The music is ok, but Alex's voice was a huge identity in that band. Obviously Brandon has a great voice but they need Alex's voice to balance the sound. Marc's screaming just doesnt do it for me as a lead screaming voice.

[@xb0xisbetter]

I would argue that Alex's voice is the least important part. His lyrics and emphasis on intensity and energy had a much bigger impact.

[@aftrthejake6843]

I wish there was time stamps.

[@GorditoXtrm]

The sheer disrespect that the band that i grew up with to betray alex and honestly that sucks

[@xb0xisbetter]

There are two sides to every coin. What Alex said about it in this interview undoubtedly contains some truth, but it is unlikely to be the whole story. What is apparent is that Alex made Atreyu what it was, and that it will never be the same without him.

[@richardsager842]

I just naturally stopped listening to Atreyu shortly after “becoming the bull”. Just wasn’t the same. Now I have a little bit more of an idea why.

[@bornmuser215]

the album after the curse is where atreyu ends for me. the one with the guy on fire on the cover. I can't even think of the damn title lol

[@bornmuser215]

death grip on yesterday! it just came to me haha

[@richardsager842]

That’s basically exactly where I ended. That album had like 9 songs but was still a banger. Becoming the bull was like the last song I heard by them that was decent but that’s about it.

[@JesseGMan7]

“Don’t worry we don’t spend the entire interview talking about Atreyu” dammit I wish you would’ve.

[@PestilentAura]

Listen, I still love old Atreyu. The first 3 albums are untouchable. Then slowly, things went downhill until their sound was so far off from where they started, I didn't even bother checking their new albums out anymore. Once Alex left, that was the end. I finally listened to their new ones without Alex the other day and theyre AWFUL! Just so boring and cookie cutter. I'm so glad Alex is returning to form. He WAS Atreyu. Alex went, and I went with him.

[@patrickstar6247]

Well said although I still love Lead Sails Paper Anchor and Long Live.

[@mikemyers5727]

Long live might be my favorite

[@xb0xisbetter]

@@patrickstar6247 I like some songs from Long Live, but even Congregation of the Damned is probably a better overall album. I listen to everything from Suicide Notes and Butterfly Kisses through Congregation of the Damned from start to finish to this day. I even still like some of the most recent releases from Atreyu, but the intensity is gone. It even almost just feels like a cheap imitation of Hell or Highwater now ... Brandon's old side project. The first album from that band is better than everything Atreyu has released since Lead Sails.

[@SAHLMIANBINTIABDULLAH]

Alex my mate.

[@jotun.616]

I was just saying yesterday, to my oldest, about lead saios, that if thats what they wanna sound like then just send alex home. Not knowing they did exactly that a long time ago lol cos i havent followed them since lead sails, even though i dont dislike that album, its just not atreyu, and they werent saying anything about going back to being an actual metal band.

[@Backlash2224]

I can dig Dead Icarus, but I would like it more if your screaming sounded similar to your screaming in Atreyu. It sounds different and less in my particular interests.

[@LandoC2723]

🤯

[@patrickmccarthy1121]

Brandon wrote and writes all the songs though

[@xb0xisbetter]

I'm sure he does now, historically ... no.

[@DanMac26]

Not been anywhere near the same since he left.

[@keith6510]

Alex looks like the cobra kai guy, Johnny lawrence lol the younger metal version

[@louietramposch4559]

New Atreyu is ⚾️🥎🏀🏐. Music used to be compassionate. Atreyu rip 😩

[@thegamersemporium]

i've met the whole band. asked for autographs and alex was the only one to be a big dickbag about it.

[@petergamache627]

No Alex....no Atreyu

[@KevinQ25]

I just found this, but I def was disappointed when Lead Sails dropped. Have not liked an Atreyu album since ADGOY

[@xb0xisbetter]

Everyone was disappointed with that album, but some albums really grow on you when you give them a few more listens. I still listen to everything they've done up to Congregation of the Damned from start to finish. Their first 3 albums will never be topped, but the next few had really great song as well.

[@TommyToboggan611]

Alex, I threw a shoe at you in Detroit the winter of 2007. I apologize. you guys played blow. want me to say more? You said something about it after the song. I hated lead sails so much. Honestly I still do. I love 80s tunes so blow did grow on me, but the vibe and feel was all gone. I was sad when you stopped all the ann rice shit. I was bummed when you took the emotions out of it. There was so clearly a shift in the lyric writing after death grip on yesterday. Deathgrip is the best atreyu album IMO. Just enough polish but it still SLAYS front to back, no hint of filler

[@mikeramos6272]

I see...I see... Alex basically got pushed out by the direction of the music the band wanted to go into which is more poppy singing and less metal/ hardcore. Which we all know he doesn't really do the clean vocals. It's Brandon. The band and management probably OKed the idea in going this hard rock direction like every band from this genre has done throughout their career to further themselves to reach new audiences. Half the time this never works out. Not with this band at least. Alex probably saw it as, what's the point of me being here to scream one or 2 line for hand full of songs (if that) while Brandon is singing on every track the whole song. There wasn't a place for Alex anymore and most likely felt disrespected as the supposed lead singer of the band. The guy got stepped over by the drummer and the bass player. I'm sure this is what happened and atreyu is a lesser band for it. Btw, lead sails was one of my top albums from atreyu. Loved it! Definitely behind The Curse.

[@robnelson85]

Atreyu is way better now

[@9PurpleGhost4]

🤪 now THAT is a steaming hot take

[@mlinger18]

He looks like johny lawrence

[@addrusehassan5188]

Atreyu supposed to play in Malaysia in 2019 then covid hit and everything cancelled, I was broken. Then Alex "left"... I was like what is happening?? Stoke with Dead Icarus man, Atreyu recently is a bit off..

[@dustinvanwinkle5078]

In regards to the metalcore comment just look at the "purist" gatekeeping metalcore fans. They're fkn unbearable and shun anyones opinion who isn't aligned with theirs lol. Doesn't shock me at all people blew up over it.

[@mikemyers5727]

Metalcore Is like several genres in one so the subjectivity makes sense but yeah we can be shitty

[@mondobizzzarro]

Metalcore is considered hardcore meets metal. So you got the 2 worst fanbases in music put together. It's to be expected lol

[@9PurpleGhost4]

Stop calling it "my curse" its "THE Curse" 😠 Its awesome alexs wife gets to sing on this new thing

[@thomaswhite2700]

Yea new atreyu blows..and that dead icarus is just too much...Alex in Atreyu was the perfect combo

[@xb0xisbetter]

Are there no newer songs from either band that you like? I've greatly enjoyed tracks from both. What makes Dead Icarus "too much"? "Too much" of what?

[@patrickstar6247]

@@xb0xisbetterI would guess it’s too intense for them. Probably likes The Curse/Death Grip balance.

[@psychostellar1432]

I get the vibe Alex has ADHD 😂

[@weirdowilliams3723]

I'd rather send you money. I hate my friends.

[@ostrobogulous.troglodyte]

Rarely does a band change lead singers and increase their sales. Today Atreyu is doing just that. No disrespect to Alex, but the current lineup is absolutely killing it.

[@Formless_Entity2069]

It’s because there are more people not because they’re better. They turned into a really good butt Rick band

[@xb0xisbetter]

Sales and the quality of the music seem to, very often, be inversely correlated. Most bands I once liked became unrecognizable and boring before they ever even achieved commercial success. All sales definitively says is that the music is generic enough to appeal to a larger audience than it once did. All this being said, I don't dislike everything Atreyu has released recently ... but most of it isn't that great.

[@patrickstar6247]

They are definitely not increasing sales 😂😂😂

[@ostrobogulous.troglodyte]

@@patrickstar6247 Provide source/numbers please

[@9PurpleGhost4]

Have you ever actually read the lyrics to the curse of Suicide Notes? It reads like poetry. The slop they pump out now has no heart.

[@LanceHayabusa]

d pic w/ dm incoming jeSEA

[@mikelubey]

John Feldmann ruins everything he touches

[@popeyedave8253]

F*ck around and find out, the oldest teacher in existence 😂

[@mherbash]

WE ALL LISTENED TO THEIR MUSIC CUZ OF BRANDON..

[@Kyle____]

From the interview, Brandon was only voicing Alex's lyrics. Lots of people can sing, but few can write.

[@xb0xisbetter]

@@Kyle____ They both have talent for writing lyrics, just very different talent, although some of it does seem to mesh very well. I loved all of Hell or Highwater's first album, and chunks of the second, Brandon Saller's side project. I disagree entirely with mherbash in any case. Alex clearly made Atreyu Atreyu. While I like some of their new stuff, it is really missing that intensity that made me love them in the first place. Whatever dynamic they had with the first 3 albums was something very special, and that's never coming back. As with all truly great bands, the sum was greater than its individual parts. When someone that integral to the band leaves, it will never be the same again. Dead Icarus' new song, Unconquerable is incredible. I rarely get the energy and excitement from new music that hearing that has given me ... just like old Atreyu still does, and their new stuff is just too lethargic to achieve.

[@9PurpleGhost4]

You've never seen them live have you. Brandon was always the LOW point. When Alexs heart was in it he had SOUL. Sad what they did to the dude

[@bobsucks9647]

Atreyu were my favorite band when I was a kid and my gateway into a ton of music, not gonna lie though last time I listened to them was when lead sails came out when I was 13. Wasn’t the same band anymore. And had they just waited it out the mainstream deathcore boom would have came and they’d be riding that wave with BMTH, Suicide Silence and all the others. While they were trying to tone it down they should have been getting heavier