Baptize

Released in 2021, Baptize marks a pivotal chapter for Atreyu as their first album following the departure of founding vocalist Alex Varkatzas. This transition saw drummer Brandon Saller move to full-time clean vocals and bassist Marc McKnight taking over the harsher vocal duties. The result is a significant shift toward a more melodic, 'arena rock' sound that emphasizes Saller's soulful, powerful range. Produced by John Feldmann, the album features a high-fidelity, compressed sound typical of modern radio metal. It includes high-profile collaborations, most notably with Travis Barker on 'Warrior' and Jacoby Shaddix on 'Untouchable'. While the album retains the band's signature twin-guitar harmonies, it largely moves away from the chaotic metalcore structures of their youth in favor of streamlined, anthem-focused songwriting. Critical reception was polarized, with some praising the band's evolution into a stadium-filling act while others missed the grit of their earlier work.