Origin: Tehran, Iran 🇮🇷 • Birmingham, England 🏴
Genre: Black / Death Metal
Black metal is freedom for many and as sacred as sweet nostalgia, as liberating as Luciferian wisdom and as powerful as Satanic wrath. A universe to be discovered within its realm that spans the vastness of this precursor to extinction we call our world. And as we’ve discovered our proud genre’s many forlorn tales, ancient rituals and Left Hand philosophies, we’ve expanded our consciousness. We’ve risen above herd level through what I consider to be the finest art. But for some of the horde, the discovery of the dark arts has not been something as simple as listening to a record or even partaking in ritual. For some, their black metal story is a warrior’s tale.
Incarceration, torture and execution – all possibilities for the Iranian or Syrian artist who admonishes Islam and questions authority. It’s from these archaic lands that Shayan and Sully emerged with each their own profound experiences to share. And it’s been through Trivax that these two embattled champions of enlightenment have chosen to explore shadow visions and forbidden spiritual currents. Years ago, as Shayan made his way to the UK, he acquired the services of English percussionist, Matt Croton; solidifying the lineup and breathing life into what is now a burgeoning coven.
Trivax has come a long way since 2016’s “SIN”, which is the band’s debut LP. They’ve been signed to the prestigious English label, Cult Never Dies, released a couple of impressive EP’s and are now preparing to unleash their latest tome, “Eloah Burns Out”. Trivax’s sophomore effort is scheduled to be released on September 29.
“Eloah Burns Out” is a gaze into the many faces of death as conveyed through tracks, “Azrael” (Angel of Death), “Alpha Predator” (The Murderer), “Memento Mori” (The Inevitable) and “Twilight of Death” (The Death of Self). The culmination of it all being the death of God as represented by the album’s title, “Eloah Burns Out”. Eastern Death Magick is the credo, and musically, you can expect just that – brutal yet intricate, wicked yet mystical and teeming with power. This is black/death metal that hits at gut level with bass-heavy, DM-heralding riffs, scrambles the senses with bewildering solos, all the while as your BM sweet spot is tantalized with blackened tremolo riffs and an onslaught of varying percussive techniques. Obvious comparisons can be made to the nomadic Melechesh, but not even their fierce brand of Eastern blackened metal can compare to the genuine passion of “Eloah Burns Out” or its energy that rages outward explosively during some parts before dragging you through dismal lows during others. Both extremities of the dark cathartic spectrum reached, from blinding rage to sorrowful contemplation; all accented by intoxicating melodic sequences. Compositionally speaking, prepare for guesswork and many surprises. But mainly, EBO is a savage affair that’s only compounded by Shayan’s vocal attack that ranges from hearty battle cries to fiendish laughter… Le package totale and a proud release for both Trivax and Cult Never Dies.
Trivax are treading the path that leads to a black metal future as bright as the Morning Star. Much like USA’s Blackbraid, this band has stoked what started as curiosity’s flame into a blaze of infatuation among BM enthusiasts and critics. The classics are great and the new bands who choose to embrace the olde way are important, but Trivax stands as a beacon of genre evolution and exploration; exploration for us, maybe, but to this outfit, this music and its creative process was probably something very organic. There’s a lot of what feels like true aggression and scathing vitriol throughout; destructive emanations and spells to bury the altar of Allah in shadow… forever… May liberation and enlightenment illuminate your way now as you venture ever-further toward “Eloah Burns Out” and the death of God.
8.5/10
Experience “Azrael” from “Eloah Burns Out” right here as presented by Trivax Official:
~Jeger
