An introspective, no-holds-barred album 

Atreyu’s ninth studio album, The Beautiful Dark of Life, is a compelling blend of music, metaphors, and dark poignancy. Although the band has earned its righteous spot in Metal Core history, this album offers listeners enough melody to be aesthetically pleasing to various audiences. Yes, each track encompasses the best high-octane vocals and powerful instrumentals, but the album is also undeniably filled with soul and emotion. 

Although songs such as “Capital F” offer a relentless combination of screaming and aggressive power chords, “Insomnia” falls back, allowing the vocals to shine through. There’s even a gothic appeal as several tracks open with enticing, albeit haunting, instrumentals, and “Good Enough” is no exception. The music ebbs and flows, weaving itself around the listener, the perfect blend of minor chords and combative vocals that have a story to tell. 

As the album progresses, so does the band’s intensity, as evidenced in “Dancing With My Demons.” The song unfurls, offering listeners plenty of melody while the trademark screaming vocals are only a few musical bars away. 

“Come Down” immediately switches gears, opening with freestyle vocals, the right amount of screaming, and enough melody to bind the entire track together. As with the rest of the album, “Come Down” is aggressive and great music to beat the midday slump. It blends minor and major chords which add to the song’s intricate — and entertaining — layers. A guitar solo eventually stretches its legs, texturizing the song further. 

But Atreyu has more to offer. 

The album’s title track, “The Beautiful Dark of Life,” follows suit with the rest of the album, providing listeners with another melodic song with well-placed screams and roaring vocals. From start to finish, The Beautiful Dark of Life has something for everyone. Where its screams might dissuade lighter-listening music lovers from consuming the entire album, the thoughtful instrumentals draw in a different audience, showcasing the band’s multifaceted nature.