Trivium

Here's a Trivium interview for the January 2007 issue of Mean Street Magazine.

METAL MILITIA

Working Trivium’s touring around the recording of its latest thrash-metal release, The Crusade, wasn’t easy, drummer Travis Smith says. But it was all worth it.

“That was a new experience, going out and playing shows and writing a record at the same time,” he says. “It was a lot on our plate, but we’re one of those bands that can handle that. I think the more pressure’s added onto us, the better we perform.”

This young band first made a major dent in the heavy music world with its 2005 Roadrunner debut and second overall release, Ascendency. And now, this Florida-based foursome — which also includes vocalist/guitarist Matt Heafy (who was 19 years old when the band was signed) — counts thrash icons Metallica as best buddies and is currently busy supporting NWOBHM legends Iron Maiden on a worldwide tour.

The Crusade, shows growth in the band’s songwriting and musicianship. Not bad considering the record was completed in roughly two months’ time and many of the songs were written while on tour.

“We created a crusade on the road,” Smith says.

Heafy noticeably worked on his vocals, focusing on more singing and less screaming.

“We got sick of the screaming thing going on,” Smith says. “It’s so overdone."

Trivium is noted for bringing back the classic technical guitar style with lots of solos. Compared to the previous disc, the band worked to pile on the soloing and bring back a classic heavy metal element to their sound.

“We’ve always been big on the guitar solos,” Smith says. “All of our influences have guitar solos. It came at this point in time in music where the art of guitar solos got lost. Nobody really gave a shit. It’s so epic. Guitar solos are the shit.”

Comparisons to Ride the Lightning-era Metallica are often mentioned when describing Trivium’s sound, but considering band members are twentysomethings, their influences evidently shine beyond their ages.

“I have an older brother, so that helped out,” explains Smith about his influences. “I’d raid his collection of music. That was my gateway into it…plus hearing Metallica, Pantera, Testament and Slayer. Once I got introduced to it, I fell in love and found everything I could.”

On the web: trivium.org