Product reviewsTrivium - Ascendancy (Parental Advisory, 2005)

Great example of thrash metal

A great example of thrash metal. Thrash metal is like heavy metal on speed not really my taste having been brought up on heavy metal but I found it a bit hard to listen to for any length of time. I think the are great exponents of the genre and would recommend this for lovers of that sound.Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: worldofbooks08

Tip top thanks definitely use again A+++++

Tip top thanks definitely use again A+++++

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: afrojimbob

Vgp

Good product

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: worldofbooks08

Bought for my son; was very happy thank you

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: musicmagpie

Ascendancy

After hearing so much about how guys this young can be so good at their instruments, I was eager to hear what they play. Needless to say, I was disappointed. As I said, riffs are beyond bland. They harmonize downtuned riffs like every other NWOAHM band, but they obviously haven't figured out how to distinguish themselves among a legion of bands that have emerged in recent years. While some songs do contain some catchy riffs such as Ascendancy or Like Light to the Flies, for the most part it is very generic sounding. The soloing is definitely a highlight of the album, however. The guitarists don't mindlessly shred like many other metal guitarists, but they obviously can. They choose to play solos that accent the song and display emotion, a very commendable course of action.

Unfortunately, the short spans of soloing time we hear are vastly overshadowed by the horrendous vocals work. To say the least, Heafy does not have a good voice. His scream is a high rasp that sounds identical to plenty of other mainstream bands I've been hearing lately. His singing is hardly any better. He can stay on key perfectly, meaning he doesn't need vocals lessons or anything along those lines. The problem is that his voice simply isn't good. Aside from a few highlight moments such as Dying in Your Arms or Suffocation Sight, the band could only benefit from a replacement. The rest of the band are much better at what they do, but for some reason they chose not to utilize their capabilities. The riffs are very simplistic, which only aid to the bland tincture of them. The bass goes unheard (except for perhaps Suffocation Sight) throughout virtually the entire album, a common thing among metal bands. The drums are respectable. The double bass speeds do get higher than expected at times (Rain), but overall none of his patterns are creative or mindblowingly fast.

In the end, these guys have potential, but I don't hear anything that would make them worthy of the praise they get. The musicianship involved is very solid, but nothing out of the ordinary. The riffing is relatively boring and uninspired. The vocals are of course, horrid. Trivium definitely has strengths, but they have yet to master those in their music and develop their songwriting. The soloing was used well without being overdone. Overall, the song structures were all very similar and predictable. Some of it sounded like rushed writing with no though, such as The End of Everything, which had extremely sloppy guitar/piano harmonizing. Perhaps in the future these guys will improve, because they many good things going for them. But for now, all they're simply another generic American metal band with adequate playing and unoriginal writing.Read full review...

Absolutely Rifftastic!

"With its mercilessly precise and technical thrash metal riffage, blazing lead breaks and startling, instantly memorable choruses, 'Ascendancy' is arguably the strongest album to emerge from the U.S. metal scene in many years." - Kerrang!

" 'Ascendancy' is absurdly good....you must hear" - Total Guitar 5/5

Personally, and as a metal guitarist I find the riffs absolutely fantastic.
The drumming is nice'n'heavy with a lot of double bass pedalling. The vocals are very heavy in a lot of parts but soften into some great choruses. If you don't like heavy vocals (i.e. screaming), then it may not appeal to you, however the choruses and riffage is so good it will probably be worth it anyway.

If I had to relate this album to the sound of other bands, I would probably say it sounds like a cross between 'Avenged Sevenfold' on their album 'Waking The Fallen' and some of Metallica's older stuff (pre-1992). If you want some heavy, well written, and rifftastic metal, then this album is definitely worth checking out. I decided to buy this album after I heard a sample of one of their songs - once I had a good listen to the guitaring, my mind was made up.

Trivium Official Website: www.trivium.org

See also:
Atreyu, Avenged Sevenfold, Bullet For My Valentine, From Autumn To Ashes, Funeral For A Friend, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Killswitch Engage, Thrice, MetallicaRead full review...

Trivium - Ascendancy

Good metal band, was first graced to be the next Metallica of the in my opinion they aren't but they are very good still. some great songs on this album and good solos and riffs.

"pull harder on the strings of your martyr" in my opinion is one of the best songs on the album has great drums and guitar and some screamy stuff but not too much and some good vocals in general really.

that is jsut my opinion tho, if your not sure then look up some songs to see if you like them. But i'd highly recommend this album for a metal fan.Read full review...

Ascendancy to fame

This album has one of my favourite songs on it, Pull Harder On The Strings Of Your Martyr.

Heavy, fast riffs, perfectly styled vocals, excellent album, generally sounding heavier and better than The Crusade.

If you like the heavier style of this album, I would recommend looking for the old Trivium album, Ember To Inferno. However, if you prefer the singing side, I would recommend The Crusade, or waiting for the new album, Shogun.Read full review...

The new Metallica boys on the block

If you like Metallica in any way then these are proberly the closest you are likely to get to the heavier side of the Metallica music. With this awsum second album and an excellent version of Master of Puppets on the Kerrang tribiute to Metallica album (Remastered) then you are looking at a band that will make thier make on the metal world in a big way in the next few years as they improve and continue. This is one of the first 5 albums I would reach for to pick my favourite albums of modern day. Only have ever heard of one person critising Trivium and that was when the singer of Metallica wore a Trivium shirt at Download 2006, which I think was a good idea as Trivium are constantly saying they are inspired and look up to Metallica. Anyway this is deffinately one of the best albums out at the moment.Read full review...

A++++++++++

such a great album. some really heavy rock that put you in a state of mind. best song on this album is dying in your arms. this song isnt as heavy but the lyrics aare meaningfull