In one of the more infamous quotes in metalcore history, former Atryu frontman Alex Varkatzas made waves back in 2018 when he boldly declared that Atreyu had “invented metalcore.” Speaking with Rock Sound at the time, Varkatzas claimed:
“We were a metallic hardcore band with singing parts. There wasn’t any else like that when we were doing it… We invented metalcore. That may sound cocky but I don’t care. We pre-date Poison The Well and Killswitch Engage and all those bands.”
The claim sparked backlash from genre purists, many of whom pointed to established 90s-era bands like Integrity, Starkweather, Overcast, and Deadguy as true pioneers of the metalcore blueprint.
In a 2023 appearance on the ‘Talk Toomey Podcast’, Varkatzas walked back his past comments, admitting it was all part of a PR push:
“I say stupid shit sometimes. Like I said I invented metalcore once… Like most people I think who know me, know that me saying that ‘I invented metalcore’ is fucking ridiculous.”
He continued:
“At the time Atreyu wasn’t exactly killing it… So, you got a new record coming out, you gotta get a little resourceful. I learned from that to not try to play the heel, to not be disingenuous to myself… I kinda deserve whatever lumps… because it was a callous thing.”
Now, in a new interview with Metal Hammer, Atreyu, currently on the road celebrating the 20+ year legacy of their gold-certified sophomore album The Curse, took a more measured look back on their contribution to the genre.
Current frontman and drummer/vocalist Brandon Saller shared:
“We were definitely part of this era where hardcore metal, metalcore or whatever you want to call it became more commercially successful. If you look at what’s extreme and gnarly now, Atreyu is pretty tame. But at the time people would be like, ‘I cannot believe this band is on the radio right now. What is the world coming to?’”
Reflecting on how the scene evolved, he added:
“I can confidently say that we had a part in that. Bands like us and Killswitch from that earlier era, then not much later the Triviums, the Bullets. There’s so many bands that had a huge hand in shaping what today’s metal is, and we’re humbled to even have our thumbprint in that DNA.”
Saller also noted how that legacy continues to resonate with younger musicians, sharing:
“I meet younger people in bands and I’m never sure if they’re going to care. But then I meet people like the drummer of Knocked Loose [KEVIN “PACSUN” KAINE]. He’s like, ‘I love Atreyu, I’ve been an Atreyu fan since I was in high school!’”
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I watched them get boo’d off stage at mayhem…. they broke out a bon jovi cover….they asked for it.
Austin Molina what kind of crowd don’t have any respect
One that doesnt want to hear bon jovi at s metal concert
Austin Molina it was a cover from The Curse. Don’t know what they’d be whining about 🤷♂️
Yea and then went soft
Poison the Well would like a word with yall 🤣🤣
Yeah…a blueprint of what not to do
Twas an honor being picked to share the stage with Atreyu. They are super chill dudes and even gave us a huge shout out. Liquid Gnar
You people are crazy. One of the best shows I’ve been to
Yessir