Band: Trivium
Release: In Waves
Release Date: 8th Aug 2011
Floridian metalcore band Trivium return with their fifth album ‘In Waves’. Over the years the quartet have taken a beating from metal fans and fellow musicians alike, accused of unoriginality, or even being an overly technical Metallica tribute act. But does ‘In Waves’ provide enough progression of their sound to make the critics shut up and listen?
The introduction builds dramatically, reminiscent of Nine Inch Nails as we storm into the album title track and first single. A well paced, easily digestible track I find myself nodding along on the first play, singing along on the second. Not differentiating greatly from their previous releases in its construction, a combination of thrashy and melodic, this was a fairly safe release.
As the album progresses the songs grow gradually heavier, moving away from the cheesier melodic vocals into death metal screams and chuggier guitar work. By track 5, ‘Watch the world burn’, Trivium are back to pleasing fans of their earlier work, playing it safe with a Metallica-esque, lighter, rockier anthem. It doesn’t really fit with the rest of the album thus far and although not a poor track it does feel, to its detriment, somewhat radio friendly.
Following this, however, is one of the stand-out tracks of the album. With hints of Machine Head, ‘Black’ is heavy, unburdened by excessive melody, and best played loud. To their credit I predict this, like the majority of the album, would be good to hear live. Another killer track, ‘Caustic Are The Ties That Bind’, track 9 is full of pace changes starting as a straightforward metal song that transforms into an epic power rock ballad featuring emotive screams and memorable riffs. A low point of the album for me was the monotonous and squealing ‘At Skylines Severance’.
On the whole ‘In Waves’ is a fairly diverse album, hinting at a maturation and movement away from their cheesier work into a sound that is more original and defining, it’s just not there yet. The work of the new drummer Nick Augusto is solid,, riffs are as always driving and the vocals have improved on previous efforts. There is enough here to keep the old fans happy but not to become stagnant, and it is accessible with an appropriate level of technicality for the new listeners, which would lend itself well to live shows. There are moments of brilliance, however, with ‘In Waves’ comprising more of stonkers than of stinkers.
7/10
Reviewer: Lauren Reading
