Trivium
Shogun

Release Date: 2008 | Tracklist

Words cannot do this album enough justice. With their fourth studio release, Trivium took what they felt they did best on their previous albums, and put it all together into one style. Personally, I don't know of anybody who could have done this so beautifully. The album is kicked off by a peaceful acoustic intro that prepares the listener for the ride ahead by keeping them guessing about what will happen next. This acoustic intro is the first fifteen and a half seconds of the brutal "Kirisute Gomen." The listener is captivated by the unique guitar riff which is draped over some intense tom fills. The song goes in with some of the greatest intensity the albums has to offer. Eventually it ends and rolls into "Torn Between Scylla And Charybdis" which captivates the listener with one of the most awe-inspiring riffs the band has yet created. The song progresses into an amazing breakdown which even has two bass solos that are truly impressive. Next in the lineup is "Down From The Sky" a song with a beautiful chorus and another intense breakdown. "Into The Mouth Of Hell We March" comes next with some of the best lyrics the band has written, which are surrounded by rough vocals which breakdown into beautiful melody later in the song. Next comes "Throes Of Perdition" which brings one of Trivium's best choruses to the table. "Insurrection" rolls in as Throes Of Perditoin rings out, and bombards the listener with some of the more technical riffs on the album. "The Calamity" is next, and aside from a jaw-dropping guitar solo is basically a different variation of the rest of the album, which isn't really a bad thing. The next track is "He Who Spawned The Furies" one of the albums many strong points. It opens up with a dual-layered vocal performance that offers a slightly creepy feel. It then rolls into another amazing chorus. The song has one of the best and most intense breakdowns metal has to offer to cap off the song. "Of Prometheus And The Crucifix" is perhaps the most melodic song on the album, and is nothing short of beauty. It rolls into "Like Callisto To A Star In Heaven" which is probably the worst song on the album. Despite that, the song is no slouch. Finally the album is capped off by its eleven plus minute title track, "Shogun" which is one of the most genius songs I've heard. Unlike most songs of such length, it keeps the listener captivated by fluctuating between epic beauty and brutality. It rolls into an acoustic segment in the middle, which could be Trivium's greatest creation. The song has such an epic feel to it and is the perfect way to cap off such a brilliant album. The bonus tracks are as excellent as the album itself, and they really show off Matt Heafy's diverse vocal brilliance.

Overall, Shogun is the perfect album for someone who wants a mix of beauty and intensity. It is a staple in the evolution of the metal genre itself. I havent yet heard an album that I feel is a perfect five stars, but Shogun comes closer than anything I've heard before.

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3.8 excellent

Rank: #0 for 2008