Trivium
Ascendancy

And so, in 2005, arrives the second effort of the American group, Trivium: “Ascendancy”.
Released by Roadrunner Records, "Ascendancy" essentially follows the same sound formula as the band's first album called “Ember to Inferno”. The CD is a concentrate of power that alternates the melody of the choruses with the Growl chants of Heafy-Beaulieu-Gergoletto.

The album opens with the intro “The end of every thing”, which between the possibly morbid calm of the piano and acoustic guitars, anticipates the frenzy of the second song which is “Rain”. From the beginning, it manages to convey the intents of the very young American quartet to the listener; unfortunately, leaving aside the beginning of the song in Rain, the chorus fails to initiate that involvement that any album opener should provide…
But they are saved by the next song “Pull harder on the strings of your martyr” (Note at the end of the video the appearance of an inverted pentacle on Heafy's back) the song starts in 5th gear with a series of often overlapping Growls that culminate in a phenomenal chorus, not to mention the solo at the end of the song, which I consider the most successful of the entire work!
It continues with “Drowned and torn Asunder” which with its /Society’s afraid/Declaration of rebellion/ is always very energetic thanks to an arrangement and often perfectly fitting guitars.
What follows is the title track, one of the best songs on the album, although not that exciting as it doesn't have any particular outbursts within its 4.25 minutes, risking being listened to with nonchalance by the listener.
The sixth song is called “A gunshot to the head of trepidation”, a thunderous Trash ride that only halts with a chorus that tastes a lot like Manowar, which I nonetheless consider very fitting as well.
Next up is “Like light to the flies”, the song where it's the chorus (with a countermelody at the end that reminded me of Freddy Mercury & Co.) to make one sing at the top of their lungs, truly wonderful…
It continues with “Dying in your arms” the one song that, in my opinion, should be eliminated from a truly excellent work, this somewhat monotonous song and not in growl (except for a few seconds at the end) offers no form of engagement.
After “Dying in your arms”, Trivium makes a comeback with “The Declaration”, a beautiful song with the help of a sustained and powerful musical flow and a convincing chorus.
The next song is “Suffocating sight”, really powerful with an 80s aftertaste that excels in Growl while the chorus would need some modifications as it is too calm and slow in the context of the song…
“Departure” is the eighth song which begins (I repeat only begins) by picking up the thread of the intro, even though it is not dominated by the growl voices of the three, the song manages to be convincing, and here too there is a hint of choruses reminiscent of Queen (naturally, I emphasize that the characteristics between the two groups are strictly regarding the choruses of 2 or 3 songs :-) ) and a solo written by Beaulieu that sends shivers down the spine – our four are truly wonderful -
The CD closes with the song “Declaration” which stands out neither for lyrics nor for music but unlike the others, it has a truly different taste, sincerely not destructive like some but genuinely relaxing.
In conclusion, I would say this is a really good album and worth listening to, however, the only flaw that one might find is the melodic aspect of the group on which Trivium should work more.