Atreyu Bring the Nut on ‘Congregation of the Damned’

With their new album 'Congregation of the Damned,' outspoken Atreyu vocalist Alex Varkatzas had a genital comparison as to how the band returned to their roots, in a way. "In all honestly, with this album, I have to say that I think we got our balls back. And me? I bring the nut," the vocalist told Noisecreep.

The singer 'brought the nut' because he was more actively involved in the writing and recording process for this album, much more so than on 2007's 'Lead Sails, Paper Anchor,' which was the Orange County band's first effort for Hollywood Records after a stint on Victory Records. "I feel like I am back in this band," Varkatzas said about his reinvigorated role in Atreyu. He admits that he took a backseat on the band's last go round. "I made myself just the singer on the last album. I sequestered myself since I was dealing with my own mental s---."

He admitted to not being like a lot of other singers and lyricists, who he says "exploit their demons in their music, hoping that you feel sorry or can relate. I don't do that. I keep it to myself. I was going through same s--- everyone else goes through. We all just interpret the same stimulus differently, and that's what creates how we react to those situations. It's not like I was waiting in line for a hamburger and was pissed off about it, but it was more life and death s---. But I'm not being all 'Wah wah wah' about it. It's over. I'm done. I'm back."

So is Atreyu, with 'Congregation of the Damned,' which may be their best effort since 2004's heralded 'The Curse.'