Album Review: Trivium - What The Dead Men Say
Reviewed by Tim Finch
It’s hard to believe that Trivium are now in their 21st year of existence, having formed back in 1999. It seems like only yesterday they released their debut ‘Ember to Inferno’ and were being touted by the music press of the time as the “next Metallica”. Luckily for the band they have forged their own path over those twenty one years, and not the one which the critics laid out for them. They’ve developed their own unique style and grown to the point of being able to headline festivals including the auspicious Bloodstock.
So in 2020, in the midst of the world being on lock down, the band are back with their ninth studio album, ‘What The Dead Men Say’. The foreboding cover all black with a smouldering heart at its centre sets the scene for what is to come. Opening the album with instrumental ‘IX’ its acoustic guitar intro leading the way before the intensity ramps up reaching crescendo just as title track ‘What The Dead Men Say’ kick in. This is a purposeful number from the opening riff and the barrage of bass drum beats taking inspiration from a plethora of styles and forging a sound unique to Trivium. Heafy’s vocal range expanding and contracting as per the songs requirements, aiding the story telling of this expansive five minute number.
The album fluctuates in styles and pace, there is something for everyone to take away from it. ‘Amongst The Shadows And The Stones’ has a hardcore feel, intensity and anger mixed together in a melting pot of aggression. ‘Bleed Into Me’ almost a ballad of sorts, certainly more heartfelt and hard hitting lyrically. ‘Scattering The Ashes’ is a sombre tale accompanied by beautifully played guitars they help tell the tale of Heafy’s lyrics.
Possible the best written album of Trivium’s career, highlighting the bands development and growth. Where can the band go next? Hopefully a return to Bloodstock in the near future, but really they’ve got to be looking at Download headline status soon enough. This album lays the groundwork for them to take their rightful place atop the heavy metal tree, a furocious, well round heavy metal classic.
‘What The Dead Men Say’ is released on 24th April on Roadrunner Records
