Overview
For those that do not know, and for those that do, I recently started doing this challenge where I listen to the complete discography of bands. As an adult, I rarely find myself setting aside the time dedicated to listening to artists in depth, and never will I listen to their complete discography. I think there is something so beautiful being focused on one artist, as opposed to listening to random pieces from a band here and there. That is why I have started doing these deep dive challenges listening to the complete discography of a band. I feel like you get to know the music much better when you listen to a band so intensely.
Song Analysis
For this round of my deep dive challenge, I am listening to Trivium! Today is I am listening to the album “Shogun”. This is the fourth studio album from Trivium, it was released September 30, 2008 from Roadrunner Records. This album features their singles “Kirisute Gomen”, “Into the Mouth of Hell We March”, “Down from the Sky”, and “Throes of Perdition”.
The album starts of with “Kirisute Gomen”. It has a really nice acoustic intro, that transitions into pounding drums and cool guitars. This song really hooks the listener into the album. Based off of what I read on Google, the words “kirisute gomen” mean a samurai can strike with their sword at any lower class person who tries to compromise their honour. That’s pretty brutal.
I love the way “Into the Mouth of Hell We March” begins, I love the opening riffs, it has a certain feel to it that caters to me emotionally hahaha. “I will try to pour all of myself into this life / Before I die / If I go before my time / Then take these words evermore into your life”, these lyrics are pretty emotional and feel rather positive and strong. I love the transitions in this song too. The guitars in the middle are gnarly too. Drums are great. Vocals are great. It sounds wild!
The song “Insurrection” starts off with insane, quick guitars. I liked the break after he says “A declaration of war” where the guitars are playing riffs a bit slowly where the buildup happens and the vocals slowly get more and more heavy. Then that is followed by some rad guitar solos.
In “He Who Spawned the Furies” I enjoy the opening guitar parts and the layered vocals added an interesting dimension. In the middle, I loved the part where there were guitars repeating some riffs and you hear “ting” and then it gets super heavy crazy. It is really fun to hear
The title track “Shogun” is an intense song with lot of varied parts! It definitely feels like multiple songs in one. Just under 12 minutes, it is a monster. I was surprised to hear how pretty and gentle the song became right before the middle point, then it started sounding straight up progressive rock. Then it gets super heavy and metal again. Then there is a lot of shredding. And the drums are cool. Just so much to pay attention to!! So much genre bending goodness.
“Upon the Shores” has a pretty rad start, it is filled with rad riffs and a fat baseline. I love the rhythm changes in the middle, then you are hit with heavy vocals, cool drums, and nice guitars.
“Iron Maiden”?!!?! I was so happy to see this song at the end of the album and I was honestly not expecting it. I do love the “Iron Maiden” song from the “Iron Maiden” album by the band “Iron Maiden” hahaha. It was very interesting hearing the Trivium version of this song, which is much heavier than the original. Much heavier vocals, more pounding drums, more intense guitar, everything.
Final Thoughts
I do really like how this album incorporated a lot more heavy vocals along with the clean vocals. It feels like I have heard so many different vocal techniques, it really does show a lot of range. It is a really great album and I feel like I need to listen to it a few more times to really take everything in!!!