Alex Varkatzas — the co-founder and singer of California metalcore/alt-rock unit Atreyu — has reportedly parted ways with the group.
As of press time, there has been no official announcement from Atreyu, but Lambgoat reports that Varkatzas has left the group. Drummer and co-vocalist Brandon Saller will most likely handle vocals going forward, but so far, things are unclear.
Our guesses are it may have something to do with Varkatzas welcoming the birth of his daughter — something he just announced on his Instagram.
"World! Meet Sophia Jean Varkatzas. My darling girl," he wrote. "Life has ruthlessly been taking from me lately. 2019thru2020 has done its best to destroy me. Testing me to my mental limits. The horrible, fake people and things that have exited my life this year have been replaced by something so pure and sweet. It feels like a new start."
Varkatzas then followed that up by another post, saying he would be silent for a while.
"I think it's time to check out of the gram for a bit and spend time with my darlings," he wrote in a second post. "I wish you all peace and power. If you need me, you know how to get at me. I promise to not be gone long...."
For now, stay tuned for further details as they become available.
UPDATE (8/24, 2 p.m. ET): Varkatzas has now responded to the rumours he has left Atreyu, though he's frustratingly neither confirmed nor denied the reports. The band themselves have also still not issued a formal statement in any way. Today he posted the lyrics to Stone Temple Pilots' "Trippin' on a Hole in a Paper Heart" along with the hashtags #fakenews and #falsenarrative. Then he posted a video saying he has "so much creative energy" and is looking to start a new musical project. But again, doesn't make it clear if he's still in Atreyu or not. You can see both his recent posts below.
As of press time, there has been no official announcement from Atreyu, but Lambgoat reports that Varkatzas has left the group. Drummer and co-vocalist Brandon Saller will most likely handle vocals going forward, but so far, things are unclear.
Our guesses are it may have something to do with Varkatzas welcoming the birth of his daughter — something he just announced on his Instagram.
"World! Meet Sophia Jean Varkatzas. My darling girl," he wrote. "Life has ruthlessly been taking from me lately. 2019thru2020 has done its best to destroy me. Testing me to my mental limits. The horrible, fake people and things that have exited my life this year have been replaced by something so pure and sweet. It feels like a new start."
Varkatzas then followed that up by another post, saying he would be silent for a while.
"I think it's time to check out of the gram for a bit and spend time with my darlings," he wrote in a second post. "I wish you all peace and power. If you need me, you know how to get at me. I promise to not be gone long...."
For now, stay tuned for further details as they become available.
UPDATE (8/24, 2 p.m. ET): Varkatzas has now responded to the rumours he has left Atreyu, though he's frustratingly neither confirmed nor denied the reports. The band themselves have also still not issued a formal statement in any way. Today he posted the lyrics to Stone Temple Pilots' "Trippin' on a Hole in a Paper Heart" along with the hashtags #fakenews and #falsenarrative. Then he posted a video saying he has "so much creative energy" and is looking to start a new musical project. But again, doesn't make it clear if he's still in Atreyu or not. You can see both his recent posts below.
