Trivium- Ascendancy 2xLP

Here it is; highly considered to be Trivium’s magnum opus of records, this is actually my first time listening to the album back to front. I’ve obviously heard all the "popular” songs off this album, but listening to it all cohesively one after the other was an absolute delight to my ears. For one, it’s still hard to believe that Matt Heafy was still a teenager when this album was released (19 I believe), and it is a MASSIVE step up from their debut album.

I absolutely loved the harmonies that were written between Matt and Corey, they just fit so well with every song and are done very tastefully. There is a lot more variation in the riffs on this album, actually making it sound like I’m listening to different songs (this album has some of my favourite Trivium riffs). Matt has also refined his voice a lot, working on his singing and his harsh vocals a lot more, sounding more clear and articulate. This album is very well paced as well in terms of song length, and also with the overall changing in tempos allowing for some breathing room that doesn’t leave your ears feeling overwhelmed.

I’m so glad I decided to finally listen to this album in full, it was such an absolute joyride. The only thing keeping this album as a 10/10 for me is that the last 2 songs kinda sound the same, but that’s a very small nitpick that doesn’t take away from the album at all. Highly recommend this album to anyone who hasn’t listened yet, as it’s an absolute masterpiece of a Metalcore album.

Favourite moment: The chanting riff/ending to ‘A Gunshot To The Head of Trepidation’ / The breakdown/bridge in ‘Suffocating Sight’

Rating: 9.5/10

(nordaus89 review)

Tracklist:
1. The End Of Everything
2. Rain
3. Pull Harder On The Strings Of Your Martyr
4. Drowned And Torn Asunder
5. Ascendancy
6. A Gunshot To The Head Of Trepidation
7. Like Light To The Flies
8. Dying In Your Arms
9. The Deceived
10. Suffocating Sight
11. Departure
12. Declaration