Alex Varkatzas

Alex Varkatzas (born January 17, 1982) is an American musician, best known as the former lead vocalist of metalcore band Atreyu from its inception in 1998 until 2020. In 2011, during the band's hiatus, Varkatzas also started a hardcore project with Bleeding Through vocalist Brandan Schieppati named I Am War.[1]

Alex Varkatzas
Varkatzas with Atreyu in 2006
Background information
Born (1982-01-17) January 17, 1982
Genres
Occupation(s)Vocalist
Associated acts

Atreyu

At 14, Varkatzas, along with guitarist Dan Jacobs and drummer Brandon Saller, formed a punk band called Retribution. By 1998, when Varkatzas was 16, Retribution developed a heavier style and changed names to Atreyu, as seen on their 1998 independent release, Visions. After their 2001 EP, Fractures in the Facade of Your Porcelain Beauty, fell into the hands of Victory Records, the band signed to Victory and released their debut album, Suicide Notes and Butterfly Kisses in 2002. Since then, the band has released four other albums before embarking on hiatus,: The Curse in 2004, A Death-Grip on Yesterday in 2006, Lead Sails Paper Anchor in 2007, and Congregation of the Damned in 2009. After ten years of worldwide success, the band went on hiatus.

On July 1, 2014, the band officially announced their return from hiatus by playing several festivals including Aftershock and Slipknot's Knotfest. A new single was released on their official YouTube channel titled "So Others May Live" and plans for a new album titled "Long Live". Long Live was released on September 18, 2015. Furthermore, a second album called "In Our Wake" was released on October 12, 2018. 3 singles have been released so far including a music Video for the song In our wake. Another single, “Super Hero” was written by the band, along with Aaron Gillespie of Underoath and M. Shadows of Avenged Sevenfold providing guest vocals in the verses.

On August 22, 2020, news began circulating that Varkatzas had parted ways with Atreyu;[2] however, the singer himself later confirmed that it was just a rumor.[3] However, on September 30, 2020, Varkatzas and Atreyu both released statements confirming his departure.[4]

I Am War

After Atreyu went on a hiatus in 2011, Varkatzas started a hardcore project named I Am War with Brandan Schieppati of Bleeding Through. The band released an album entitled Outlive You All in 2012.

Physical health

During the early days of Atreyu's tour cycles, Varkatzas struggled with alcoholism which greatly affected his vocals during live performances. Since The Curse, he has edged away from alcohol and drugs and has since found fitness and training to be a more suitable way to relieve anxiety and stress. Varkatzas ran Hellenic Crossfit and Muay Thai in Orange County, California until November 1, 2015, and practices Muay Thai, Boxing and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He wrote about a lot of his drinking problems on A Death-Grip On Yesterday, which were the lyrical inspiration behind songs such as "Ex's and Oh's" and "The Theft".

References
  1. "Alex Varkatzas - Celebrity information". www.mysticgames.com. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
  2. "Atreyu part ways with founding vocalist Alex Varkatzas". Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  3. "Atreyu Vocalist Says 'Fake News' Following Reports He's Left the Band". Retrieved 25 August 2020.
  4. "Atreyu and vocalist Alex Varkatzas part ways following departure rumors". Retrieved 30 September 2020.
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