New Releases: April 24TH, 2020 – Trivium, Warbringer + More

TRIVIUM, WARBRINGER, CIRITH UNGOL, RON KEEL AND MORE

Trivium – What The Dead Men Say

I have been a fan of the band since 2005’s Ascendancy. While other bands were one-trick ponies, they had no issue mixing various aspects of metal into what they were offering.

Something that I found to be great. Others shunned classic heavy metal leanings. They shied from melodies, old school riffs, etc., while Trivium accepted it all with open arms.

Their third album, The Crusade, embraced this. As the album presents aspects of music that, leaned more towards the music of decades past. And much to the chagrin of certain fans, less towards Ember To Inferno.

To this day, critics, and certain fans see The Crusade as a misstep. You know because it didn’t have enough growls or blast beats. They wanted, and still to an extent want to pigeonhole the band into one cookie-cutter mold.

Gone are the days with band’s albums sounding completely different to one another. Let’s be honest here, that album sounded more like Iron Maiden, or Judas Priest. It didn’t sound like The Spice Girls.

So I find it completely stupid that people think they lost their way, or it was almost the end of the band. It was the band’s decision, and again, they weren’t trying to get radio airplay from that album.

What The Dead Men Say is the ninth studio album by Trivium

After The Crusade, the band has found a balance. They created a sound that is identifiable with the name.

The band’s sound began to melt together various aspects of metal. Are they reinventing the wheel? No, not at all, but you can’t slag them for not being top-notch musicians.

Sure what they present is a hodgepodge of different influences, so what? They aren’t a band that gloms from one band or are an exact carbon copy of someone.

They are mixing things up and making it their own, much like successful bands that came before them. What The Dead Men Say amps things up, and reaffirms their ability to take what’s old, what’s new, and make it their own.

Trivium 2020

Related: Corey from Trivium was last interviewed on Talking Metal during episode 763. Check the episode out here.

Trivium’s longevity and popularity have bothered people from the start. It irks them that you can’t place them into a neat little box. You can say, well I hear influences here from this band or the other.

But you can’t say they sound exactly like this, or like that. No, they sound like a lot of things, but mostly they sound like Trivium.

I always find a few tracks off of each album to add to my Trivium playlist. There is enough of everything on this album to please people, so long as you listen with an open mind. It is one of their stronger releases as a result. If you’re a fan of the band, check the album out.

Warbringer – Weapons Of Tomorrow

John Kevill and his band Warbringer are no strangers to the world of Talking Metal. Kevill has been on the show many times over the years on the show.

The band has been around for more than a decade. When the whole retro-thrash movement took place, people wondered, which band survives?

Warbringer is among the bands that have survived, what some considered a fad at the time. Weapons Of Tomorrow is the band’s sixth studio album.

It picks up right where 2017’s Woe To The Vanquished left off. It demonstrates the band’s commitment to both keep a solid hold in what they’re known for doing best. But also pushing forward and evolving. Case in point is the album’s closer “Glorious End”. It demonstrates firsthand the band’s maturity as composers.

We recently featured the video for the new track “Glorious End”. You can check the video out here.

If you were ever a doubter, this is an album worth checking out. If you’re a fan of the genre, or of the band, you should definitely add this one to your collection.

Cirith Ungol – Forever Black

Almost thirty years has gone by since the band has released a full album of new music. The band originally formed in 1971, but didn’t release their debut Frost And Fire till 1981.

To read the album’s press release, or check out the video for “Legions Arise” go here

It is obvious that the band has always kept a place in the heart of those at Metal Blade Records. Every time there is a compilation highlighting the label’s music, the band is almost always featured.

Very few bands can say this, especially since they only released three albums for them. To me, they were always like an urban legend.

When talking to Bob Nalbandian, he often discusses how Cirith Ungol was different. They were one of the only heavy metal bands on the scene that was filled with hard rock bombast. The band broke up in 1992 but reformed in 2016. If you’re an old-school fan of the band, you’re obviously going to check this out.

Ron Keel Band – South X South Dakota

The last Ron Keel Band album came out a little over a year ago. How many bands still do that? This is his sixth solo album, his first since last year’s Fight Like A Band. His name is synonymous with people like Yngwie Malmsteen, due to being part of Steeler.

He also was in Black Sabbath for about a second. How many people can say that? But, the Metal Cowboy’s stands out the most for the title track to 1985’s The Right To Rock.

A lot of time has passed since then, but Ron is still giving his all, no matter if it’s his music, his radio station, or helping those in need. He is also one of the most generous storytellers.

For those that don’t know, I help run both this site and Mark Strigl’s Patreon site. Ron is subscribed to the Patreon site, and when he lays down some knowledge, it’s always an aha moment. This is why I continue to pimp his Patreon, he is beyond great.

Ron last appeared on Talking Metal during episode 792. Go here to check out that interview.

HERE ARE OTHER RELEASES THAT MAY INTEREST YOU

Axel Rudi Pell – Sign Of The Times

Katatonia – City Burials

Elder – Omens

Lovebites – Electric Pentagram

Mantric – False Negative

(O) – SkamHan

Trick Or Treat – The Legend Of The XII Saints

The Used – Heartwork

Oz – Forced Commandments

Cloven Hoof – Age Of Steel

Dance Gavin Dance – Afterburner

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard – Chunky Shrapnel

King Witch – Body Of Light

REISSUES LIVE ALBUMS AND DOCUMENTARIES

King Diamond – Abigail Reissue

King Diamond – Fatal Portrait Reissue

Def Leppard – London to Vegas

Parkway Drive – Viva The Underdogs (Documentary)

Article by Victor M. Ruiz of Mars Attacks Radio & Podcast, and Galaxy Of Geeks Podcast. Connect with him on Twitter: @vmr907