Trivium - Shogun (Album)
» Big Day Out 2007 - Princes Park South, VIC - January 28, 2007
With the perfect mix of heavy and harmonious vocals, Trivium's newest release Shogun explodes into everything and more that we were promised. This album has something for Trivium and metal fans alike.
Guitarists will love another album full of fast and well thought out riffs and you can only marvel at the sheer power of front man Matt Heafy’s vocals. Using every ability, he delivers a chilling performance, effortlessly sliding between brutal yells to verses of melodic harmony’s backed by Guitarist Corey Beaulieu and Bassist Paolo Gregoletto that even the parents can enjoy.
Shogun is easy on the ears but hasn’t lost any of the fury of previous albums and has really seemed to pull the last two works, The Crusade and Ascendancy together, to bring us an album that seems to resonate with a power of its own and really showcases the musicians that these four young men have grown into.
For those who turned away from the Trivium phenomenon fearing they would become another Matallica, should re-think their decision and perhaps give them another chance for Shogun is purely a Trivium creation, setting them apart from the metal heavy weights of the past.
I have been a Trivium fan for many years and have always been impressed with the complex and inspiring structure of their music and went in with a preconceived idea of how I thought the album would evolve. After playing it for many hours on repeat I can honestly say that this album shouldn’t be compared with previous work but with fresh ears ready to soak up what is about to be thrown at you.
What I find remarkable is Trivium’s ability to hold your attention throughout the album. Picking the precise time for a guitar solo, you never seem to get bored.
Kirisute Gorman, first single and track on Shogun is an epically long 6.27min track but seems to work in three movements, structured much like a classical piece. Movement one is your introduction and sets the theme and pace for the rest of the album. Movement two is purely instrumental and incorporates the fast finger work of both guitarists Beaulieu and Heafy and the final movement floats you into the rest of the album. Each signified by a sudden silence.
Another thing that has been revisited is the bands use of dramatic tempo change. This work crediting the talent of drummer Travis Smith as he swings from one time change to another without skipping a beat. Look out for this in the second tack Torn Between Scylla and Charybdis.
I think I was most impressed with the intro to Throes of Perdition. The speed and clean sound produced is amazing and something which Trivium have perfected. It’s not about the fast rifting but standard these musicians play at. You can here every note.
For a twelve track album they have certainly packed it full of musical masterpieces though I did find the title track a little too long. At over 11mins even for an ending song, Shogun seems to drone on a little, especially the slow almost spoken mid section. I feel the only thing that saves this track from ruining the album is the impressive string of solos close to the end and almost eases the last few minutes of vocals.
Lyrically, don’t expect anything out of the ordinary. Metal fans should know by now the general trend in which songs are written, conjuring up fiery visions of hell and war. I can’t say I’m disappointed by this but have come to accept the way in which the lyrics are written and although no matter how cliché they come across, they will defiantly make for an interesting and entertaining live show. Bring on the chanted choruses!
