Album Review: Trivium - Silence In The Snow

Expectation can be a terrible thing: just ask Trivium. This was the band many hyped as the next Metallica. Not in intensity, that is, but in an ability to bring non-metal folks into the fold. Unfortunately, it never quite worked out that way for the Floridians. Instead they were trapped between two worlds. Many metalheads labelled them as 'poseurs' and the crossover fans they did attract invariably moved onto something else. Still, the boys have retained a decent following and Silence In The Snow, their seventh LP, will solidify this support.

In short, the album offers ten tracks (and oddly enough one Ihsahn-penned intro) of traditional melodic heavy metal — a gentler, kinder version of Iced Earth if you will. Dead And Gone stomps along merrily, while the title track and Pull Me From The Void (Helloween fans will love this one) will no doubt have heads banging at summer metal festivals. Noticeable on this LP is Matt Heafy's improved vocal style that takes the likes of Blind Leading The Blind and The Ghost That's Haunting You from journeyman workouts to rather infectious ditties. New drummer Mat Madiro also shows his worth with energetic rhythms that anchor the material well. Silence In The Snow sounds great as well — producer Michael Baskette has given the band a clean warmth that suits their slightly poppy brand of metal. Trivium have never managed to top Shogun but Silence In The Snow shows that the band still has something to offer in a very saturated marketplace. They may never be Metallica — but they have survived.