Overview
Today I am listening to Trivium’s seventh studio album “Silence in the Snow”, released October 2, 2015 from Roadrunner Records. Featured on this album are their singles “Silence in the Snow”, “Blind Leading the Blind”, “Until the World Goes Cold”, and “Dead and Gone”. This album feels very unique and extra creative to me, it feels quite different from the other Trivium albums so far.
Song Analysis
The album starts off with a piece called “Snofall”. It’s a very interesting orchestral track that sounds like you are in a video game. This piece is actually by a musician named Ihsahn and not by Trivium. I think it is an extremely interesting work for them to include on this album. This song leads into “Silence in the Snow”, which begins with very epic riffs. This track does feel very unique for Trivium and sets up the rest of the album. I guess I am getting mild power metal vibes? Toward the end of this track, there are some nice parts where it sounds like the guitar is nearly singing.
Starting off with very catchy guitar solos in the intro, ”Blind Leading the Blind” is a song that can really get stuck in your head in a great way. Toward the end of this track there are some cool breakdowns layered with nice melodic guitar. Also there is this small section of muted guitars which sound pretty cool too. Honestly they fit so many cool techniques in this track that I keep replaying the last half over and over to dissect it.
”Dead and Gone” begins with some extremely djenty breakdowns which slow down a little when the vocals begin, but then start to pick back up. There are very nice solos half way through. This track also ends with some djenty riffs.
“The Ghost That’s Haunting You” has nice chugging riffs in the intro when Matt starts singing. I am really intrigued by what the intended meaning of the lyrics are:
What have I done, what have I become
Standing six feet deep, am I the only one
Save, save yourself
It’s killing me to have to say
You know this is the only way
Save, save yourself
There’s nothing left to say or do
You know I’ll be the ghost that’s haunting you”
When I hear these words, I am wondering what they are about. My interpretation of the lyrics is the writer has too many problems in life and can’t be helpful the way he wants to be. So he acknowledges that and advises the person he cares about that they have to save themselves, but he will be there for them in different ways or “haunting” them. I find that pretty relatable. It is really difficult to watch someone you care about suffer, and it feels worse thinking you could easily help them if your situation was a little better. Also there are nice guitar solos toward the end that make you bob and swing your head around.
After the into riffs in “Until the World Goes Cold”, there are some pretty catchy breakdowns and drumming that makes you really feel the beat. This song has a sentimental tone to it. The lyrics are pretty strong and a bit motivating too:
Above my head, they’re circling
The vultures want what’s left of me
I sacrificed it all and I will fight
Until the world goes cold
This battle’s burned all that I’ve known
Until the world goes cold
Nothing will keep me from this throne, I’ll fight
Until the world goes cold
…
This battle has burned all
I’ll fight forevermore”
I really appreciate these lyrics because they remind me of fighting through hard times, and continuing to fight and never giving up, no matter how hard it is. There is also a nice acoustic guitar touch toward the end too.
Finishing off the album, “Breathe in the Flames” begins with a beautiful and dark acoustic intro which transitions into pounding drums. The beat really pulls you into the song, making you want to head bang. This song is pretty sick. There is nice shredding toward the end and some djenty moments sprinkled in between. Great way to end the album!
Final Thoughts
This album feels dramatically different from the previous releases for me, and I do enjoy seeing them evolve as artists. It is interesting seeing only clean vocals in this release. I also noticed some djent and power metal influences which was really fascinating as well. This album displays a lot of their wonderful skills but also manages to have mainstream appeal, they sure make catchy music!
