Toward Download 05: Trivium

Before the RoadRage 2005 tour kicked off on Mayday it was planned its line-up to be based on a nocturnal rotation but quickly became clear that Trivium were the natural headliners over 3 Inches Of Blood and Still Remains. Trivium’s second album ‘Ascendancy’ provides all the reasons why…

This quartet of youngsters - ages range from 18 to 22 - were formed by singer/guitarist Matt Heafy and drummer Travis Smith in 2000 in Orlando, Florida. By 2003, their debut album ‘Ember To Inferno’ was out via Lifeforce, after a line-up change and arrival of Corey Beaulieu on guitar. The new album features new bassist Paolo Gregoletto with whom we were due to discuss the band’s matters on the last date of the RoadRage tour in London but Travis Smith appeared instead.

“These dates have been great,” the drummer speaks in a measured, laid-back way one would expect from a resident of a sunny US state, “the shows are sold out and the crowds go frantic. I can’t express enough how happy we’re to be part of this tour… Each night we’d check out other bands and see how the crowd is and it’s all been awesome.”

“After the shows we hang out, drink beer, talk with fans, the usual stuff and I tell you it is something special. People are so friendly and open and wanna know everything. The response’s been phenomenal, I’m not exaggerating!”

Your album is an awesome statement and my conclusion is that you could obviously take on Slayer as well as Mars Volta; where did you get the know-how in spite of your ages?

“We’ve always liked Metallica, a lot of Megadeth, a lot of Pantera, a lot of Slayer, that‘s what we‘ve been listening to as a band… We started young and were really interested in everything possible and wanted it to know and learn as much as we could. And, from the beginning we’ve tried to do the best we can and are always rehearsing and thinking of ways to make shows better… We are simply a focused band, basically.”

It appears that personnel changes do not affect it, at all?

“Every personnel change we’ve had has been for the better. We always get a musician that’s that much better than the last one. It’s always worked well for us. It is also very important that I get along with Paolo because he’s really on the same level. It feels like he was meant to be in our band.”

Hope he agrees on politics because ‘Pull Harder On The Strings of Your Martyr’ appears to deal with the US Prez and the country’s foreign policy of aggression?

“Actually I don’t think we express that many political views in our music and most our stuff is personal stuff and issues… As far as I know ‘… Martyr’ is about being pushed around and someone trying to be your puppet master… But, if you put it on a global level I can see how you could see it as a political song; very interesting!”

The album has a central theme and sequencing the songs must have been very meticulous process; the artwork is a painting that ties-in with the disc’s subject but all these is of less importance at the Downloading age…

“Maybe you are right but we don’t mind if people Download our music; when we create our music we don‘t force anything but simply let songs come into being. We rehearse songs until they feef finished, naturally… Writing, demoing and recording is all we can do and the rest is beyond our control…”

“How people like to consume our, or any other, music, it is up to them and no-one can do anything about it, to stop. If kids do their shuffle, pick some certain songs, there is not much you can do about it. It is a hard question to address because it does take creativity out of your hands but you are making this music for them too, so… They can do what they want with it.”

“This is closely connected with the question about the future of albums… No-one knows whether it will disappear and be replaced with just several songs released like an EP, more frequently than a year, or an album every two years by more established groups. But, I think the business people have a plan what to do if albums are finished. Right now there is a choice, either CD or Download.”

Very soon you’ll be back on the road to play with Ozzy at the Download?

“Yeah, but not after having a couple of weeks off. We then start rehearsing again and are really looking forward to playing Download. We all have got our fingers crossed that we meet Ozzy and we’ll do everything possible for that to happen.”

Their chance suddenly increased with the announcement that Trivium have been upgraded to the main Donington stage. Set to appear on Sunday, 12 June, on the Napster Stage, the band will now open the Main Stage on Saturday, 11 June, at 11am.

Matt Heafy issued a statement: “We can’t wait - we’re so excited! The support from everyone in the UK has been fantastic and to get upgraded to the Main Stage at the legendary Donington is just amazing. We hope everyone has as much fun as we plan to!”

After their Download appearance, the band will play at the Astoria, London, for the Metal Hammer Golden God Awards on Monday, 13 June, where they are nominated for the Incoming Award for Best Newcomer.