Artist: TRIVIUM
Album: "THE CRUSADE (CD)"

Year: 2006
Media type: CD

An Altamonte Springs, Florida Death / Thrash styled Metal act originally created in 2000 when the group's original singer viewed guitarist Matt Heafy conducting a rendition of THE OFFSPRING's 'Self Esteem' with drummer Travis Smith in order to enter a high school 'Battle of the bands' contest. The name TRIVIUM was chosen, a Latin word meaning the intersection between three schools of learning, namely grammar, rhetoric and logic, as it implied an open mindedness towards varying musical styles. Line-up changes then saw the addition of Brent Young on rhythm guitar and Heafy took over the lead vocal role, following several party gigs. The following year Richie Brown of Black Metal outfit MINDSCAR filled in as bassist for live work but subsequently Young switched instruments to cover this position.

2002 would prove a pivotal year for the group as TRIVIUM claimed top honours at the school 'Battle of the bands' contest, supported national acts PESSIMIST and PISSING RAZORS and Heafy won the local 'Orlando Metal Awards' as best guitarist. A self financed album would see Jason of CAPHARNAUM acting as producer as the band found itself being hailed as frontrunners in the New Wave of American Heavy Metal stakes. TRIVIUM, signing to the Lifeforce label for the 'Ember To Inferno' follow up, cut at Audiohammer Studios, added Corey Beaulieu as second guitarist in September 2003.

The group re-entered Audiohammer Studios in mid May 2004 to commence pre-production for their Roadrunner Records debut album, subsequently selecting producer Jason Suecof for the final recordings. TRIVIUM acted as support to ICED EARTH and BEYOND THE EMBRACE for Summer shows in the US. The group forged an alliance with MACHINE HEAD and CHIMAIRA for the August 'RoadRage 2004' dates in North America.

TRIVIUM entered Tampa's Morrisound studios on September 13th with producer Jason Suecof for recording of their sophomore album entitled 'Ascendancy'. Mastering would be conducted by ex-SABBAT guitarist Andy Sneap in the UK. In November the group added former METAL MILITIA bassist Paolo Gregoletto to the ranks. The album sold 6,976 copies in its first week of release to debut at number 151 on the US Billboard charts. The band had their track 'Like Light To The Flies' featured on the soundtrack to the 'Rainbow Six Lockdown' game issued by 3volution Productions.

The band opened 2005 with a set of US headlining dates in January, heading up a touring package with ALL THAT REMAINS, IT DIES TODAY and THE ACACIA STRAIN. Gigs into February found the group partnering with DANZIG and KATAKLYSM. They joined the Roadrunner 'Roadrage' tour with 3 INCHES OF BLOOD, THE AGONY SCENE, STILL REMAINS in March prior to April gigs alongside CHIMAIRA. This tour extended into UK dates during May. Initially announced as an opening act on the SLIPKNOT / SHADOWS FALL US arena tour of Spring 2005 the band was forced to drop off the billing due to "Union enforced time constraints".

Matthew Heafy would act as one of five high profile writers contributing to the ROADRUNNER UNITED 25th anniversary album 'The All-Stars Sessions', his songwriting credits featuring amongst four compositions. 'The Dawn Of A Golden Age' utilized lead vocals from Dani Filth of CRADLE OF FILTH, Heafy laying down lead and rhythm guitar parts, while 'I Don't Wanna Be (A Superhero)' boasted vocals by Michale Graves of the MISFITS with lead and rhythm guitar cuts recorded by Heafy. 'Blood And Flames' was sung by ex-KILLSWITCH ENGAGE man Jesse Leach, the ever versatile TRIVIUM frontman donating lead, rhythm and acoustic guitar, not to mention backing vocals - lead, rhythm and acoustic guitar also came courtesy of Heafy on the KING DIAMOND sung 'In The Fire', bandmate Cory Beaulieu supplying lead and rhythm guitars too on this number. Heafy himself vocalised and lent lead guitar services on 'The End' penned by ex-FEAR FACTORY guitarist Dino Cazares.

The TRIVIUM track 'Pull Harder On The Strings Of Your Martyr' gave the band a good degree of extra exposure when it was included on the soundtrack to the Bruce Hunt directed movie 'The Cave', released in August. The band's September and October European dates, taking in the UK, with ALL THAT REMAINS and IT DIES TODAY, then France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Norway, Sweden and Denmark, saw strong support from ARCH ENEMY. The two bands stuck together for Japanese gigs in October. To coincide with these dates a special tour edition of 'Ascendancy' was issued, adding a bonus disc featuring two previously unreleased tracks and three videos. On 15th December Matt Heafy, Travis Smith and Corey Beaulieu notably joined the ROADRUNNER UNITED conglomerate at the New York Nokia Theater for an all star Metal evening. TRIVIUM included a track 'Washing Me Away In The Tides' on the 'Underworld: Evolution' movie soundtrack.

IN FLAMES, TRIVIUM and DEVILDRIVER pooled their talents for a January 2006 US tour. March had the band scheduled for 'The Crusade III: Ascend Above The Ashes' concerts in the UK and Ireland alongside GOD FORBID and BLOODSIMPLE. The band played their part in honouring METALLICA, contributing their rendition of 'Master Of Puppets' to the album 'Remastered', this set being a complete remake of 'Master Of Puppets' in joint celebration of the twentieth anniversary of the classic album's release and the 25th anniversary of UK Rock magazine Kerrang! In April. Yet another re-issue of the 'Ascendancy' opus would collect this interpretation as an additional bonus track in May.

The band put in a significant appearance at the METALLICA and KORN headlined 'Download' festival in Castle Donington, UK on June 10th. The group subsequently engaged in a gigantic roving festival billing with the US 'Sounds Of The Underground' tour throughout the summer, commencing in Cleveland, Ohio on July 8th, partnered with IN FLAMES, AS I LAY DYING, CANNIBAL CORPSE, GWAR, TERROR, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, BEHEMOTH, THE CHARIOT and THROUGH THE EYES OF THE DEAD.

TRIVIUM's first headline US trek saw them through late September into mid November, supported by THE SWORD, PROTEST THE HERO, SEEMLESS, SANCTITY and CELLADOR. On October 9th 'The Crusade' was officially certified silver status in the UK for sales in excess of 60,000 copies, hitting number 7 on the charts.

The band scored a notable coup, supporting IRON MAIDEN for their massive series of arena dates throughout Europe, UK and Scandinavia for November. In January and February 2007 the group put in Japanese headliners followed up a slot on the New Zealand and Australia 'Big Day Out' festivals, on a bill comprising TOOL, THE KILLERS, MUSE, MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE and JET, interspersed with headline shows.

TRACKLIST:

1. Ignition
2. Detonation
3. Anthem (We Are The Fire)
4. This World Can't Tear Us Apart
5. In Sadness We'll See Her
6. Entrance Of The Conflagration
7. The Crusade
8. Synthetic
9. Becoming The Dragon

LINE-UP:

Matt Heafy (vocals/ guitar)
Corey Beaulieu (guitar)
Brent Young (bass)
Travis Smith (drums)

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