Trivium assert theirascendancy down under

Sun 28th Jan, 2007 in Features

For some, success seems to come effortlessly, while for others, it can be elusive and rarely, if not non-existent (regardless of how talented said group is). But for metal act Trivium, success has come after years of playing away at relentless touring schedules and electric stage shows demonstrating influence rooted in old school metal tradition. This success has also been helped along with a certain amount of perfect timing and a loyal and dedicated fan base.

At the very core of Trivium’s unique sound is drummer Travis Smith and bass guitarist Paolo Gregoletto who prove to be more than admirable individuals as both share their views regarding fans; their first visit to Australia and the spontaneity of a given moment and how to best take advantage of the opportunity a person is given at any particular place in time. “Its all about karma – if you do the right thing by people, it all comes around,” Smith explains. “Timing has everything to do with this industry… and that’s karma too. Do the right thing by people and good things will happen.”

This attitude has doubtlessly served the band well over the last ten years as Trivium has gone from their humble beginnings in Florida to become a band that not only has continued to champion a substantial fan base, but if that wasn’t enough, their most recent record, The Crusade peaked at number25 on the US Billboard and inside the top 10 in the UK charts – and has since sold tens of thousands of copies giving Trivium a level of credibility within the industry that came as no surprise to Smith, who was always confidant of succeeding in the world of metal. “I knew this is what I wanted to do when I was five years old,” he says. “I had a plan and we made it work – here we are today.”

Founded in 2000 by timekeeper Smith and vocalist/guitarist Matthew K Heafy, the band went through several lineups over the next two years before securing bassist Brent Young. The trio entered the studio in 2003 to record a fresh demo, in the hope of signing to a label for a full-length album. The demo inevitably found its way to German label Lifeforce Records, with the label offering the band a contract soon after.

Prior to recording their debut album Ember to Inferno, Trivium added guitarist/vocalist Corey Beaulieu (Ex-Metal Militia), which helped solidify the band’s sound compared to their initial demos, and in turn garnished positive feedback from the press for the band. Since then, Trivium has once again had another line up shuffle recruiting Bassist/vocalist Paolo Gregoletto. As the completed Trivium played support slots with acts such as Machine Head, Iced Earth, Killswitch Engage and Fear Factory, it was not long before they scored a recording contract with Roadrunner Records for sophomore effort Ascendancy.

“On Ascendancy, we had a little more time to focus on the songs. We actually had a chance to do pre-production, which is something we’ve never been able to do before,” Smith explains. “So we kind of got to sit on the songs a little bit, and kind of figure out how we wanted to cut pieces out, add certain pieces and fix the songs up entirely. We really had the chance to critique them for once. I think that really helped making the songs that much better than the ones that appeared on our debut album Ember to Inferno.”

The time spent on the 12 songs that make up Ascendancy was obviously time well spent, and Roadrunner Records were of the same opinion when the label offered the band a deal after only hearing the demo recordings. While Roadrunner had some idea of some of the potential Trivium had with the small amount of success they had gained up until that point, the overall reaction to Ascendancy has exceeded the expectations of both the band and the label.

Trivium’s latest album The Crusade was released in the UK on October 9th 2006 and sold over 60,000 copies on its first day of release. It was placed at number one in the UK Rock Charts and debuted in the UK album charts at  number seven. The album is a departure from their previous sound: Heafy adopting a more melodic style of vocals while the band’s style has been described as a return to the classic thrash sounds of bands such as Metallica and Megadeath.

“The feedback has been great,” he says. “We’ve had very good reviews in all the magazines. I haven’t seen much international stuff yet, we’ve been really happy about that. The sales have been really good too. So everyone at the label seems to be really happy with the way things have been going as well. I know we’re definitely happy with the way things have been going so far.”

Speaking individually with each of the members, it’s their refreshing and passionate outlook on the music industry that is so remarkable. Celebrating his 21st birthday away from family and loved ones at home, Heafy spent his momentous day with the sell out crowd at the Sydney University Roundhouse. Lost for words while crowd sung him happy birthday wishes, he admits to the adoring audience that there was nowhere else on earth he would rather be.

Birthday celebrations continued backstage after the show for the band, crew and some select fans. Cake was served and the crowed celebrated the youngest member of Trivium reaching legal maturity age in the US. “I can finally drink legally – but I have been drinking for years,” he admits. “Age has never really stopped me.”

Smith, who less than an hour ago threw his mutilated signature drum sticks into the audience as the encore came to a close with “Pull harder on the strings of a martyr” and waved farewell to the audience, elaborates on just how fortunate the band has been with company on the road. “The thing about Trivium is that we are a family,” he explains. “The band, the crew and at times the fans make up a very unique family. Even when we get time off, and we do have to go home, it’s almost like home is on tour. We are surrounded with the most amazing individuals on earth – without them it wouldn’t be Trivium.” The reality is that they have become so well accustomed to sleeping in a different bed night after night, that normality has evolved to suit the lifestyle of a rock star.

As the thrash revival continues to sweep throughout the current metal scene, there have even been some critics (along with the band themselves at times) who have boldly claimed that Trivium could very well be the next Metallica. And it’s a tag Smith isn’t that uncomfortable with.

“That’s an honour for us,” he says. “After all, they’ve been our favorite band from the beginning. You really can’t put that into words, or at least I can’t! That’s saying a lot. We’re willing to fill those shoes. We have the opportunity, and we’ll do our best because that’s what we want to be. I mean, we definitely consider our sound as thrash, but it also has a melodic edge to it too. It’s very cool to hear people say that, or for them to even think or write about us… It’s a great honour.”

Australia’s reaction to both Ascendancy and The Crusade has had an immediate effect on Trivium as Australian crowds have welcomed the outfit with open arms on their maiden voyage to a country that has waited patiently for the metal outfit to make the trip half way across the world to play their first Australian shows.

“There have definitely been a lot of people coming out to the shows,” he continues,” says Gregoletto. “There have also been a lot of people who know ALL the lyrics to the songs and doing a lot of air drumming and air guitar. Its mayhem, that’s what we like to see. It means very much to us that our very first tour here has sold out completely. We’re already ‘unofficially’ announcing that we want to be back here before year’s end… but would definitely want to be back on the Big Day Out tour next year”.

Judging by initial responses from Australian audiences, Trivium will be welcomed back with open arms and saluted with devil horns long before Heafy celebrates his 22nd birthday.

Check out the photos from Trivium’s Roundhouse gig here.

Check out the photos from Trivium’s Utopia Records signing session 23/01/07 here.