Ninth album in, and Trivium in 2020 continue with the high quality for which they are known. In many ways this is even heavier than the previous one as there are some tinges of death influences here and there, but then we go to the other extreme to melodic metalcore and everything in between. The easiest way to describe this is probably by saying it is a modern metal album which takes on many influences from the 20 to 30 years and then combine all in a commercial sounding package which is at home with the mosh pit as it is with the radio stations. They received a Grammy nomination for a song from the previous album, and there is plenty of candidates on this one to find that happening again. “New” drummer Alex Bent had by now been with the band for three years and is playing with more confidence as he has found his place in the band from playing live.

Virtually all the album can be summed up in just one song, “Catastrophist” where Bent provides many fills around the kit, but can also pretend he is a marching band when the band go into a totally different section and then at others does his best Gene Hoglan impression with some great double bass drum work. Bassist Paolo Gregoletto is as locked in as ever, while Corey Beaulieu and Matt Heafy are linked in the way that only happens from countless hours of sharing a stage together. If that isn’t enough, then of course we have Matt’s vocals, and on this number, he provides roughness combined with sensitivity, lower vocals with the heights. Trivium keep pushing themselves while never straying too far from their roots which allows their many fans to keep with them as opposed to being pushed away, and when they crunch into songs such as “Amongst the Shadows & the Stones” then the mosh pit starts with fury. Some 15 years since I first came across them, Trivium continue to excite my worn-out ears by delivering powerful albums which are simply indispensable to fans of well-constructed and thought-out frenetic metal which is somehow still commercial and melodic, packed with hooks.

Rating: 9/10

Links:
https://www.trivium.org/
https://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/