PHOTOS: Atreyu Rickrolls through metalcore night at the Fillmore

Atreyu performs at The Fillmore in San Francisco on Dec. 11, 2018. Photos: Joaquin Cabello.

SAN FRANCISCO — Influential modern metalcore band Atreyu brought its new album, In Our Wake, to the Fillmore Tuesday. The SoCal band, led by Alex Varkatzas, performed a set spanning 16 years. Varkatzas managed the stage with precision.

Atreyu opened with new track “In Our Wake,” “Becoming the Bull,” from 2007’s Lead Sails Paper Anchor, and 2004 classic “Right Side of the Bed.” From there, the band cut back and forth between songs new and old: “Anger Left Behind,” from In Our Wake; “Ex’s and Oh’s,” from 2006’s A Death-Grip on Yesterday; “The Crimson,” from 2004’s The Curse; “Do You Know Who You Are?,” off 2015’s Long Live; and songs from The Curse, “The Remembrance Ballad” and “Bleeding Mascara.”

Atreyu.

The band’s sound has evolved over the years, but the main characteristics have remained rooted in the heavy guitar riffs and solos of Dan Jacobs and Travis Miguel. The newer material was a kind of alternative heavy rock with the deep bass of Marc McKnight and cleaner vocals by the drummer, Brandon Saller.

The rest of the set included new tracks like “The Time Is Now” and “House Of Gold;” and “Blow,” “When Two Are One” and “Falling Down,” from Lead Sails Paper Anchor.

The encore included two completely unexpected covers: Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up” and Bon Jovi’s “You Give Love a Bad Name.” Atreyu concluded with its first hit, “Lip Gloss and Black,” from 2002’s Suicide Notes and Butterly Kisses.

Memphis May Fire.

Memphis May Fire, actually from Nashville, preceded the headliners. The metalcore band opened with “Sever the Ties” and “Carry On,” songs from 2016 album This Light I Hold; and “Prove Me Right,” from 2012’s Challenger. Their sound was heavy, yet groovy at the same time.

On the melodic “The Old Me,” from new album Broken, Kellen McGregor played some guitar that was atypical to the genre. That was paired with the heavy bass lines of Cory Elder. Memphis May Fire followed that up with “Stay The Course,” from 2014’s Unconditional, and “The Deceived,” off 2011’s The Hollow.

Ice Nine Kills.

Boston’s Ice Nine Kills, used their opening slot to show off the guitar shredding and metal riffing abilities of Justin deBlieck. Those sounds were paired with Justin Morrow’s bass to create a melodic hardcore sound with fast drumming and Spencer Charnas’ sharp screams and growls.

Ice Nine Kills played some songs from their new album, The Silver Scream, which they did dressed like horror movie characters to match the theme of the album. They began with “The American Nightmare,” “Stabbing In The Dark” and “Thank God It’s Friday.” Older songs included “Me, Myself & Hyde” and “Communion of the Cursed.”

Minneapolis modern hard rock quintet Sleep Signals opened the concert with an explosive live performance. The band blended harsh sounds with clean vocals and catchy melodies and rhythms on songs like “Means,” “The Harbinger” and “I’ll Save You.”