Trivium began with a talent show at the Lake Brantley High School in Altamonte Springs, Florida. Way back in the year 2000, one of its acts was a fourteen year old guitar player by the name of Matt Heafy, whose performance of Metallica’s “No Leaf Clover” caught the eye of Trivium’s very first singer Brad Lewter. Impressed, the vocalist asked him to try out and soon after, Heafy was an official member of the band.
The band started gigging soon afterwards and after some time, Lewter left the band, allowing Heafy to take over lead vocal duties as well as playing rhythm guitar. It was with this set up that Trivium went into the studio and recorded their debut album “Ember To Inferno”, releasing it in October 2003. The album was enough to tour with Machine Head off the back of it, who in turn, introduced them to the folks at iconic metal label Roadrunner Records.
It was their second record however, that made the band what they are today. Released on Roadrunner in March 2005, “Ascendancy” wasn’t a hit immediately but thanks to positive critical reception, word of mouth and an utterly astonishing set at the 2005 Download Festival, it went on to make their name on the world stage. Over 100,000 copies sold in the U.K alone later, it became one of the decade’s touchstone metal albums.
Since then, they have remained near the top of the metal world as one of the century’s first true success stories. The likes of "Like Light to the Flies", "Pull Harder on the Strings of Your Martyr" and "A Gunshot to the Head of Trepidation" are new metal standards that thousands of garage bands practise to this day. There really is no higher compliment than that when it comes to rock and roll. No true metal head can go wrong with a Trivium gig, highly recommended.
Every Metal-head craves to experience a Pantera concert. Unfortunately, an entire generation of fans haven’t had the privilege to witness the band who lead us out of the hairspray/glam rock era into a darker and satisfyingly sinister time in rock. This was my revelation after Pantera’s July 2001 show in Dallas, ground zero for the band and their heavy, groove metal style they pioneered.
The hot summer air hung heavy in the sweltering outdoor arena, a perfect setting for the hellacious show Pantera would perform. In front of a wall of amplifiers and pulsating lights, they started the set with "Hellbound," the opening track from their most recent release 'Reinventing the Steel.' Not letting up for a single breath they launched straight into "5 Minutes Alone and Slaughtered," before even addressing the raucous crowd. Sweat poured and unwashed hair whipped. Mosh pits devoured and long term hearing was compromised. Phil Anselmo worked every inch of the massive outdoor stage that evening as Dimebag Darrell (in his final Dallas performance - R.I.P.) soared through solo after solo.
With the confidence of true rock stars, they saved "Cowboys from Hell" and "Walk" for the encore, leaving the crowd in an absolute fervor state. Little did this hometown crowd know that it would be last chance to see Pantera’s for more than a decade. Today we understand the importance of Pantera but it took the benefit of historical perspective to be sure. It’s in retrospect that we fully grasp the impact of Pantera on Metal and their place in rock history. Hopefully you too can smile to yourself and know that you witnessed Metal royalty.
Before Trivium even walked onto the stage, haunting, dark ambient music drifted across the festival, creating a brooding atmosphere. The band walked out and were playing "Rain" within seconds.
The audience was overwhelmed with energy, thrashing everywhere, and overcome with passion. The guitar riffs were so heavy, it was actually kind of surprising. The best thing that Trivium is known for is their use of melody just as much as abrasiveness, and it creates a truly beautiful mix. When the band switches from heavy chugging to emotional, somber and ecstatic riffage, you cant help but want to start slamming your head, and letting out every built up tension you have. The audience was it's own experience.
Completely different from what you see at other shows, there are walls and walls of people flailing about everywhere, passionately yelling along with the singer. You better be prepared to be knocked on the head a few times(but don't worry. If you fall, someone will happily help you back up.).The music was beautiful, heavy, and loud. What was not to love? Every song has plenty of energy, and cool riffs. Seeing Trivium was a great experience, and I recommend them to anyone who loves heavy, passionate music.