How, where and when did Trivium get its start?

Trivium was formed simply as a high school battle of the bands band. In Travis's house was where the original line up was formed... and all this happened in 2000.


What inspires you to write and create music?

The determination to create the best music that we possibly can; and bands like: In Flames Arch Enemy, At The Gates, Dark Tranquility, Killswitch Engage, Shadows Fall, Poison The Well, Between The Buried and Me, etc.


What has touring been like so far?

Touring is incredible, it's so much fun. Sure there is much sitting and waiting- but I think of it as anticipation. To show something new to people around the world is amazing.


What has the comparison been like for US audiences vs. others?

It seems like every review, in general, has been synonymous. All countries seem to be very positive; we've had very positive and impressed views from: US, Romania, Germany, Holland, Japan, Belgium, etc. It really is amazing.


How is songwriting approached? Are songs constructed in pieces and then molded together? Or are they constructed on the fly?

Everything with the song writing in Trivium is just natural. We just allow the songs to take form on their own. Never do we sit and say "let's have a breakdown, into a solo, into a thrash part, with clean..." It's always just I'll hear a riff, play it, and everything flows naturally.


What was it like recording "Ember to Inferno" ?

2 weeks of fun with some disaster. My guitar wouldn't stay in tune, equipment was breaking, etc. Aside from that it was fun- it's great to hear songs you hear in the rehearsal space all of the sudden sound huge.


Is there a message you are trying to send to the world with your music?

Sure, there are many songs that have messages like realizing the impact you can have on the world, changing the negativity and destruction that faces the world, breaking from conformity and being what you can.  Those songs apply to "Requiem" and "If I Could..." particularly.


I have to compliment you on the album as a whole, everything from the start to the finish. What kind of effects and gear do you favor? Was different gear brought in for experimentation?

For guitars and bass there were no effects at all. Except maybe some after production stuff ("Ashes" had some cool shit going on). Jason added delay and reverb to certain places on solos.  For the instrumental tracks, we used multi-layered keyboards and some after recording effects. On the recording I used my Les Paul Custom (Emg 85/89) into a Peavey XXX into a vintage Mesa Cab. But now I have normal Gibson pickups in the Paul into a Mesa Triple Rectifier into Marshall cabs.


What do you like to do in your free time, besides music?

A lot of working out and weightlifting... I used to be REAL skinny... now I'm working out all the time. I try to do relaxing things too: video games, movies, sitting around, etc.


What was it like shopping for a record label?

Mixed feelings: we were scared no one would be interested, excited someone would. I'd say once it happened we felt good.


How does the band view internet file sharing?

It has to be here! Sure some cherry picked major label dicks may bitch because they can't afford 12 Ferrari's but only 11. Fuck that. We need file sharing because it helps get the extreme and underground to the public. If it weren't for file sharing I would have never heard In Flames, COB, Dark Tranquility, At The Gates... and maybe Trivium will have never progressed out of being a thrash band.


Are you all able to focus on the band and rely on it for a living, or do you have jobs?

Travis and Brent work full time, Corey just finished music College, and I am still in high school; living off my great parents, ha ha.


What are you comments on the current state of "Rock and Roll" ?

I think the only truly "rock n roll" sounding band is The Darkness. Rock is bands like Cold, Limp Bizkit, Good Charlotte... all that good stuff that sounds the EXACT same. (that's why people file share that stuff... why buy a CD for one good song... everything sounds the same!)  But metal... that's a better story... things are going good.


How do you plan to keep challenging yourselves enough to survive the music business?

Make the best possible music we can, staying true to ourselves, and being original. Persistence, perseverance, determination.

Final thoughts to add?

Everyone who wants to be a part of Trivium can... support us and we will always do the best we can. www.trivium.org start the support!

 

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