Trivium - Ascendancy
2005 Roadrunner Records

Track Listing:
1. The End Of Everything
2. Rain
3. Pull Harder On The Strings Of Your Martyr
4. Drowned And Torn Asunder
5. Ascendancy
6. A Gunshot To The Head Of Trepidation
7. Like Light To The Flies
8. Dying In Your Arms
9. The Deceived
10. Suffocating Light
11. Departure
12. Declaration

Line-Up:
Vocals:  Matt Heafy, Corey Beaulieu
Guitars:  Corey Beaulieu, Matt Heafy
Bass:  Paolo Gregoletto
Drums:  Travis Smith
Guests:  Chad Sunderland, Gizz Butt, Andy Sneap

Website:  www.trivium.org

Shev's Rating:  C-
Average Overall Rating:  C-

Shev's Review:
Freshly signed to Roadrunner Records, this is Trivium's sophomore release and follow up to the debut "Ember To Inferno".  So what can one expect from this Floridian foursome fronted by Capharnaum's Matt Heafy?  Not Capharnaum.  Not even close.  Instead we bear witness to a group of highly talented musicians pump out a generic heavy metal shell filled with elements of metalcore, thrash, and in their finer moments, power metal.  Actually, have you ever heard one of those bands that would be better if they just played instrumental?  This is them.

The vocals range from the typical scratchy metalcore/thrash hybrid screams to a cleaner drone in vein of In Flames.  Nothing earth-shattering there.  The guitars are extremely tight and technical, easily crushing all who stand in their way, although at times I can't help but think they would be better suited in a power metal band.  Technical ability aside, they write a few memorable riffs and some charming solo's as seen in songs like "Rain", "The Deceived", and "Suffocating Sight", but for the most part are forgettable.  Where Trivium really picks up it's skirt and runs is with the drumming.  Travis Smith is absolutely nuts, and really does a fantastic job of making this album much more intense.

On the subject of drumming, the double bass (when used) is phenomenal at creating a strong sense of panic while complimenting the guitar work.  While these guys obviously have great control over tempo and a knack for melody, their strong point is thrashy speed...something they really should consider doing more of instead of grasping at every metalcore straw and mixing it with straight, uninspired heavy metal.

So while "Ascendancy" has some great musical talent and gorgeous production, this simply has an overall bland and forgettable feel with the exception of a few key songs like "Rain" and "A Gunshot To The Head Of Trepidation".  Some songs suffer from a good idea surrounded by rather lackluster writing, such as the chorus is "Pull Harder On The Strings Of Your Martyr".  What we have here is just a technically brilliant heavy metal band which is treading old ground.  With twelve tracks weighing in at just short of an hour it could be a good purchase for those that dig the typical "Killswitch Engage sound", but for the most part this is simply an average album.  So average it only has one bad song, the overdramatic and cheesy "Departure", but very few good songs to pull it out of the mud.
Shev's Rating:  C-