News report: Heavy metal is evolving, not dying

In the form of dropped D ballads that make listeners want to cry or double bass drum pedals that force listeners to head bang until their necks hurt, heavy metal has given all fans of music adrenaline-igniting theme songs.

It has even given followers reasons to fuel the leather and tattoo industries.

But many consider the genre an endangered species or say it's adapting to the new-age, death-metal scene.

Defying that theory, some bands haven't lost sight of their metal roots, continuing instead to gain recognition as they achieve success through loud, distorted guitar riffs and attitude.

ATREYU is a new-age heavy metal band from OrangeCounty with a 2002 debut album "Suicide Notes and Butterfly Kisses".

Since then, the band released "The Curse" in 2004, "A Death-Grip on Yesterday" in 2006 and "The Best of Atreyu" in 2007.

The band is entertaining and has great songs, such as "Bleeding Mascara".

ATREYU gains a lot of strength from its earsplitting vocalist Alex Varkatzas and lacks nothing with its strong guitar riffs.

TRIVIUM is another band that has resuscitated heavy metal. The band formed in 2000 and has continued to get better and more creative.

Its influences include METALLICA, PANTERA and SLAYER, so it's easy to understand the style TRIVIUM puts in its music.

In 2003, the band released its debut album, "Ember to Inferno", and has continued its career with albums "Ascendency" in 2005 and "The Crusade" in 2006.

TRIVIUM is a great band that fits any metal standards.