Trivium + Code Orange + Power Trip @ 02 Academy, 17 April 2018
First up tonight, Dallas Thrashers Power Trip. Jumping straight into their latest album material ‘Soul Sacrifice’, from the outstanding ‘Nightmare Logic’ (2017), the band start with a loud crushing static sound which builds up hype in the rowdy main room.
The showy hardcore riffs kick in, before the fast and ferocious vocals from Riley; instant comparisons can be made with Every Time I Die and Knocked Loose; with the added technical shreddage of Slayer. It’s literally impossible not to headbang to.
‘Divine Apprehension’ (2011) one from the first EP, the groove and rhythm is infectious. A noticeable Pantera-esque feel is emerging. The moshpit has been spinning ever since they came on. A great showing early on from these guys, everyone I spoke to after their set had nothing but kind words about it. They made an impact.
The main room is getting more and more crowded with each passing minute; the hype for Code Orange tonight is unreal. Whispers and murmurs are heard thoughout as they take to the stage. Instant harsh red lighting made a few of the photographers wince with agony for the first song and a half; including myself. Bassist Joe Goldman, a big scary looking dude, charged for the barrier within the first 5 seconds and crowdsurfed around a little, why not?
‘My World’ (2014), the raw, crushing opening riffs signal what is to come. Along with smashy drums and defeaning licks, they really are making a racket; it’s captivating. The band continue to run around the stage throughout as if they were playing a form of rugby; I’m not getting in their way. ‘Real’ from their latest Roadrunner Records album ‘Forever’ (2017), the intensity continues, drummer Jami does an outstanding job of somewhat unconventionally drumming and performing lead vocals especially in a gritty, raw, hardcore band but the other members make up for the lack of a ‘frontman’ figure. Perhaps it is actually beneficial, as the focus is more on the band as a whole rather than one member.
‘Only One Way’ was a drastic diversion for me, elements of a Tool influence, I taste in this? Lyrically the song works too, it’s unpredicability and electronic elements are also giving off a Korn vibe; the grungier vibe is more punky than hardcore. I really really like this.
‘Forever’ (2017), the song which to this date has earned them a Grammy nomination, and the track is pretty darn filthy too. The vocals here are heavier and guttoral for the most part, reminiscient of beatdown hardcore and the riffs are Sludge-Metal esque.
Run To The Hills by Iron Maiden only signified one thing; Trivium were ready to rock. Bursting upon the stage to massive cheers from the loyal UK following, ‘The Sin and the Sentence’ (2017), an Ascendancy sounding culmination of screamed vocals, majestic cleans and 7-string hammering. The fans go wild.
‘Throes of Perdition’ (2008), every now and again you get to photograph one of ‘them’ songs, for me, this was one. The nostalgia was unreal; sending me right back to Sixth Form. The expert blend of cleans and harsh vocals, along with the technical finger picked notes and overall deep message about being cast aside and stabbed in the back resonated with all the old Trivium fans in the room.
Matt Heafy takes a moment to thank all the lifelong fans for supporting them, citing the UK as a place where the band ‘grew up’ and recognizing one fan at the front, claiming he’d seen Trivium over 50 times.
‘Until the World Goes Cold’ (2015), the songs take a softer tone with the lack of screaming in the album due to Heafy’s voice recovering. Never the less, it’s a great one to sing-a-long too and the fans did so in equal measure. ‘Like Light to the Flies’ (2005), another banger, classic nostalgic metalcore. ‘Becoming the Dragon’ (2006) and ‘Heart of Your Hate’ (2017) were exceptionally received by the crowd, one old and one new; when the chorus came around for the latter it was difficult to make out Heafy singing.
Ending with an encore to shatter all encores, ‘Pull Harder on the Strings..’ (2006) and ‘In Waves’ (2011). Trivium are reliable, consistent and humble, there is no doubt about it. It’s great to see a band which has been incorporating the screamed vocals into their music for so long not try and abandon it in the hope of hitting larger venues with a classic watered down ‘Heavy Metal’ image.
Stay core Trivium; stay true. A fantastic night of live music.
Review and Photos by Neale Hayes