Trivium have been on my radar ever since their Ascendancy album came out back in 2004, and specifically the song Pull Harder on the Stings of Your Martyr. This one song pretty much blew away all of my musician friends, all for vastly different reasons and cemented Trivium into our listening circle from then on out. For myself, when someone who understands how a thing works is excited by said thing, well then, you’d be a fool not to pay attention. Imagine brushing off the opinion of a pilot about a new Boeing Airbus!
Ascendency was an incredible showing from then 19-year-old Matt Heafy as their front man. This just one reason why my musician friends were in awe. The other reason being the dual-guitar solos and multiple hand-offs that, if I remember correctly, had not been done in an awfully long time. And never in this genre of nu-metal. But of course, to call Trivium nu-metal is a misdemeanor. Trivium continue to cement themselves as pure metal with each and every new album. Shogun is a staple amongst metal-heads the world over as an essential album to have in any collection.
With their 2020 outing – What the Dead Men Say – has shown us again why Trivium have earned their place in your music collection. This album is closest to Ascendancy in its pure energy but made with a much more mature band. Something that was bound to happen 16 years later… There is just something about a band that keeps its core sound, and yet finds ways to evolve and grow, that gets me excited. This album is pure Trivium, and had it come out in 2004 instead of Ascendency, I have no doubt that it would garner the same response.
What the Dead Men Say is the ninth album from this band, and was the first one to be written mostly by Paolo Gregoletto – the bassist, instead of Matt. I think this is the reason this feels very much like a core Trivium album – it’s just honest with its sound. To me, this album is a tent peg in their career – very much an anchor point for them going forward.
Clocking in at 46 minutes over just 10 songs, this album is very short. Or it feels short because of the energy it brings – like a sprint. And each song has a small catchy vibe that you can’t help but nod your head to. Alas, this album is over before you know it and you’ll be hitting that repeat button a few times over the course of the day just to absorb it. I suppose that is my only criticism of this album. It’s too short for me to relax to, just as you are fully immersed in your enjoyment, it ends.
For myself, the best song on this album is The Defiant. Slight power metal vibes come through this song, while the chorus is super catchy. This song was written after Paolo watched he R Kelly documentary and is about those rich and powerful who have people helping them in their corruption. Quite a powerful song when you know the origins.
The very next song on the must listen to list is Catastophist. Powerful guitars, some excellent drumming and Matt’s voice has matured perfectly, to bring this all together. Catastophist is a song like a rollercoaster – speeding up and slowing down in such a satisfying manner. And it happens to be the longest song on this album at 6 minutes, 28 seconds – so you really get drawn in.
Of course, I still think you should listen to the whole album. Multiple times in fact. With headphones, on speakers, basically anywhere that puts out a clean sound as there are some hidden layers here which need to shine through.
With their ninth album, and going on two decades of making music, Trivium are more powerful than ever. What The Dead Men Say is an exemplary album, one worthy of you time. For me, this is the best Trivum album in a while and great return to form.
Just look at how happy they are with this review…
When Trivium can tour again, I will be getting my tickets on day one – to see and hear this album played live is going to be an absolute treat.
So, give this album a listen, and let me know what you think over on Twitter!
