Trivium is essentially a heavy metal band. However, they cross similar genres such as metalcore[37][38][39], thrash metal[2][3][40], progressive metal[41], alternative metal[38], and even death metal[3], their style has evolved over the years from their earliest work on Ember to Inferno right through to Shogun, there is a clear thrash influence from Metallica and some early In Flames[42].
Their second album Ascendancy was well received [43] upon release and at the time Trivium were labeled metalcore with strong elements of thrash metal[44][45], with the 3rd track on the album “Pull Harder on the Strings of Your Martyr” becoming a permanent fixture in the band's set lists and the rest of the album selling itself to gold status[46]. Ascendancy was even featured as one of Metal Hammer’s Albums of the Decade[42]. Later releases have marked changes in the band, with the release of The Crusade, which was seen as a major shift in musical direction due to the change in vocal style, namely the absence of screaming, and some of the melodies[47] featured.
The Crusade was a much more technical and progressive album, lyrical content was also different in direction, citing current affairs, such as the Yates murders and the 1999 Amadou Diallo killing. In Autumn 2008, Trivium released their current album Shogun and have a heavy Japanese influence on its title track as well as the first single release "Kirisute Gomen" which translates authorization to cut and leave. Acknowledging Matt Heafy’s Japanese heritage[48], the album also was described more favourably as more their own style, as previous references to Trivium sounding like Metallica had been made on the back of The Crusade.[49]
Many of their songs draw lyrical inspiration from different kinds of ancient mythology.[citation needed] Their songs "Into the Mouth of Hell We March" and "Torn Between Scylla and Charybdis", both featured on their album Shogun, talk about the story of Odysseus and how he had to choose between a giant whirlpool, Charybdis, and a giant 6 headed monster known as Scylla.
TRIVIUM
