To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Atreyu’s debut album, “Suicide Notes and Butterfly Kisses,” Craft Recordings will release a special slate of vinyl reissues on Nov. 18, 2022.
In addition to returning to classic black vinyl, the album (which features the singles “Ain’t Love Grand” and “Lip Gloss and Black”) will be available in three collectible colors: a “smokey clear” edition, exclusive to Revolver and limited to 200 units, and a “clear-blue/black swirl” wax, limited to 500 units, and exclusive to Atreyu’s website. Additionally, fans can find a “sea glass clear” edition, limited to 500 units, exclusively at the Victory Records and Craft Recordings websites. All editionsare available for pre-order.
Named for the protagonist in Michael Ende’s “The Neverending Story”, Atreyu formed in 1998. By the time the band caught the attention of Victory Records in 2001, Atreyu had released two EPs—the seven-track “Visions” in 1999 and the five-track “Fractures in the Facade of Your Porcelain Beauty” in early 2001. The latter release laid the foundation for the band’s debut album, with early versions of the songs “Living Each Day Like You’re Already Dead,” “Someone’s Standing on My Chest,” and “Tulips Are Better.”
After signing to Victory, the band entered New Jersey’s Trax East studio with producer Eric Rachel (The Starting Line, The Black Dahlia Murder) to lay down the tracks for a full-length. In addition to reimagining the three songs off “Fractures in the Facade of Your Porcelain Beauty,” Atreyu wrote a collection of new material, combining honest, reflective lyricism with the sounds of thrash, hardcore punk and the New Wave of Swedish Death Metal.
Among the highlights is the unrelenting “Living Each Day Like You’re Already Dead,” the cathartic “At Least I Know I’m a Sinner,” and the melodic first single “Ain’t Love Grand,” which ruminates on the devastating pain of a breakup. “Lip Gloss and Black,” released as a follow-up single, showcases each of the band members’ prowess on their instruments—particularly lead guitarist Dan Jacobs, who channels ’80s guitar heroes in his opening riffs, and vocalist Brandon Saller, who shines through his breakneck drumming and his melodic vocals. The song—which features Atreyu’s trademark lyrics “Live, Love, Burn, Die” — was vital in bringing the five-piece mainstream attention, thanks in part to its sultry video, which aired in heavy rotation on MTV2’s “Headbangers Ball” and FuseTV’s “Uranium.”
“Suicide Notes and Butterfly Kisses” was released in June 2002 and immediately captured the attention of the press. AllMusic called the record “Exquisitely crafted … an outstanding debut for a band that has its eyes set on the top of the heap.” Punknews.org hailed, “Atreyu accomplished what takes most bands years to do, particularly in this genre … Perhaps the most impressive debut I ever remember hearing.” Lambgoat, meanwhile, declared Atreyu as “worthy of being placed on high as one of the best bands around.” Fans agreed wholeheartedly. “Suicide Notes and Butterfly Kisses” sold more than 240,000 copies worldwide, and, upon its reissue in 2004, landed in the top 40 of Billboard‘s Top Heatseekers and Top Independent Albums charts.
Since then, Atreyu has become one of the biggest bands in metalcore, with an ardent global fanbase, thanks in part to two runs on Ozzfest, sold-out headlining tours, appearances on movie and game soundtracks, and performances alongside peers like Linkin Park, Avenged Sevenfold, Deftones, Slipknot and Bring Me the Horizon. To date, the band has released eight studio albums, including “A Death-Grip on Yesterday” (2006), which marked its first LP to break the Billboard 200’s Top 10, and “Lead Sails Paper Anchor “(2007), which landed at number eight and topped both the U.S. Hard Rock and Rock Albums charts.
The band, which currently consists of Saller (vocals), Jacobs (lead guitar), Travis Miguel (rhythm guitar), Porter McKnight (bass) and Kyle Rosa (drums), released its latest album, “Baptize” in 2021.
Looking ahead, fans can catch Atreyu this fall at Las Vegas’ When We Were Young Festival, while the band will embark on an extensive international tour, beginning in February 2023. Visit here for tickets and more information.
ATREYU TOUR DATES:
10/22-23/22 – Las Vegas, NV
10/29/22 – Las Vegas, NV
“Suicide Notes and Butterfly Kisses” vinyl track listing:
SIDE A:
“A Song for the Optimists:
“Dilated”
“Ain’t Love Grand”
“Living Each Day Like You’re Already Dead”
“Deanne the Arsonist”
SIDE B:
“Someone’s Standing on My Chest”
“At Least I Know I’m a Sinner”
“Tulips Are Better”
“A Vampires Lament”
“Lip Gloss and Black”
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