Thankfully, they took the latter road, with the band's third major-label release, Shogun.
Prior to recording Shogun, Trivium moved their operation to Nashville to work with producer Nick Raskulinecz, who's previously worked with mainstream bands such as the Foo Fighters and Velvet Revolver. He seems to have gotten the most out of the band--musically, Shogun is a big step up from 2006's The Crusade.
Shogun is the first album on which Trivium does not sound too much like other bands. While maintaining their signature nu-thrash sound and screaming vocals as found on 2005's Ascendancy, and their melodic presence from The Crusade, the band has their first epic album with Shogun.
Songs like "Kirisute Gomen," "Down from the Sky," and "Insurrection" showcase how tight of a band Trivium can be, which is surprising considering their youth (ages range from 23 to 26). The near-12-minute title track, which closes the album, is a whirlwind of tempo and melody shifts that will leave fans wanting more.
With Shogun, Trivium is back on track to become one of the bigger metal bands of the early 21st century.
