Vengeance Falls
Vengeance Falls | ||||
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Studio album by Trivium | ||||
Released | October 10, 2013 | |||
Recorded | February – March, 2013 | |||
Studio | DMD Productions in Austin, Texas | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 47:44 | |||
Label | Roadrunner | |||
Producer | David Draiman | |||
Trivium chronology | ||||
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Singles from Vengeance Falls | ||||
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Vengeance Falls is the sixth studio release by American heavy metal band Trivium, released October 9, 2013 in Japan,[4] October 14 in UK, and October 15 in US via Roadrunner Records.[5] It is the last album to feature second drummer Nick Augusto before he had departed from the band in May 2014.
Background
In January 2013 bassist Paolo Gregoletto posted photos of the band working on their next studio release. In one of the pictures, vocalist Matt Heafy was sitting next to David Draiman of Disturbed fame; leading to some speculation that he would play a part in the album's conception. It was later confirmed via Gregoletto's Facebook that Draiman would in fact be the producer.[6]
In an interview with Thrash Hits, David Draiman revealed that the album's title was Vengeance Falls. Matt Heafy in particular was satisfied with Draiman's work on the album, calling him the "most hands-on producer" they've ever worked with. He went on to say that "Draiman helped me gain another four to six notes in my upper vocal range, which is something I never thought was possible ... He helped with every instrument, every song, helping create melodies – his ability to create melody is one of the most staggering things I've ever seen."[7]
Release history
The band performed the song "Brave This Storm" live on July 28, 2013 at Rock The City Bucharest in Romania and released the studio version three days later as a free digital download.[8] Gregoletto stated in an interview that this song was just a teaser and the new album's first single was "Strife".[9]
"Strife" was performed live for the first time on August 1, 2013 at the Resurrection Fest at Viveiro in Spain and it's available to stream via YouTube. Vengeance Falls became available for pre-order at their official website on August 20. The first single was available as an instant download with all pre-orders. Buyers would receive a digital copy of the album, downloadable on the day of release. "No Way to Heal" was released on September 30, the third song to be streamed.[10]
Reception
Professional ratings | |
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Aggregate scores | |
Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 74/100[11] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
About.com | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Allmusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Alternative Press | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Classic Rock Magazine | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The Guardian | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Metal Hammer | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
New Noise Magazine | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Premier Guitar | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Rock Sound | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Sputnikmusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Vengeance Falls has received mostly positive reviews from professional critics, but has proven controversial among die-hard fans, mostly because of the decision of hiring David Draiman as a producer.[19] The Guardian stated "This is a proud and focused heavy metal album that eschews current trends in favour of great songs, massive grooves, blazing lead breaks and a disarming air of combative euphoria".[1] Another positive review came from Allmusic, when Gregory Heaney commented "With a songwriting that emphasizes quality over quantity or complexity, the album feels more precise in its execution, with every moment expertly placed in order to serve the songs rather than show off the band's musicianship (which is, as always, considerable)".[2]
One of the most recognized songs by the critics is "Strife". New Noise Magazine describes it as "an anthemic Shogun-esque track, with soaring riffs and a thick bass tone that captures Trivium at one of the high points of the album". Other impressive tracks are "Incineration: The Broken World" and "No Way to Heal", which is praised for its tempo changes and guitar solos ("The real kicker though is the intense solo at the end, by far one of the best in their catalogue of over one hundred songs").[12][15]
A more mixed review came from Sputnikmusic staff reviewer Thompson D. Gerhart. He gave the album a three out of five "Vengeance Falls is an album with utility." and also stated "You must try to understand: Trivium really are the next Metallica, for better or worse."
Commercial performance
The album debuted at No. 27 on the Billboard 200 albums chart on its release, selling 15,000 copies in the United States in its first week.[20] It also debuted at No. 6 on Billboard's Top Rock Albums,[21] and No. 2 on Hard Rock Albums.[22] The album has sold 69,000 copies in the United States as of September 2015.[23]
Track listing
All tracks written by Trivium, except where noted.
Standard Edition | ||
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No. | Title | Length |
1. | "Brave This Storm" | 4:29 |
2. | "Vengeance Falls" | 4:13 |
3. | "Strife" | 4:29 |
4. | "No Way to Heal" | 4:05 |
5. | "To Believe" | 4:32 |
6. | "At the End of This War" | 4:47 |
7. | "Through Blood and Dirt and Bone" | 4:26 |
8. | "Villainy Thrives" | 4:54 |
9. | "Incineration: The Broken World" | 5:52 |
10. | "Wake [The End Is Nigh]" | 6:00 |
Total length: |
47:44 |
Special Edition | ||
---|---|---|
No. | Title | Length |
11. | "No Hope For the Human Race" | 3:59 |
12. | "As I Am Exploding" | 5:49 |
13. | "Skulls... We Are 138" (Misfits cover; written by Glenn Danzig) | 3:31 |
Total length: |
61:03 |
Japanese bonus track[4] | ||
---|---|---|
No. | Title | Length |
14. | "Losing My Religion" (R.E.M. cover; written by Bill Berry, Peter Buck, Mike Mills, and Michael Stipe) | 4:40 |
Total length: |
65:43 |
Personnel
- Trivium [24]
- Matt Heafy – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
- Corey Beaulieu – lead guitar, backing vocals
- Paolo Gregoletto – bass guitar, backing vocals
- Nick Augusto – drums, percussion
- Production and design
- David Draiman – producer
- Andy Sharp and Jeremy Parker – engineering
- Colin Richardson and Carl Bown – mixing at Treehouse Studio Chesterfield, United Kingdom
- Ted Jensen – mastering at Sterling Sound, New York City
- Ashley Heafy – layout
- David Rath – A&R
- Brent Elliott White – artwork
- Travis Shinn – photography
Charts
Chart (2013) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australian Albums (ARIA)[25] | 8 |
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[26] | 10 |
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[27] | 57 |
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[28] | 58 |
Canadian Albums (Billboard)[29] | 12 |
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)[30] | 11 |
French Albums (SNEP)[31] | 78 |
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[32] | 10 |
Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ)[33] | 40 |
Irish Albums (IRMA)[34] | 39 |
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[35] | 18 |
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[36] | 25 |
Scottish Albums (OCC)[37] | 15 |
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[38] | 27 |
UK Albums (OCC)[39] | 23 |
UK Digital Albums (OCC)[40] | 31 |
UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC)[41] | 2 |
US Billboard 200[42] | 15 |
US Digital Albums (Billboard)[43] | 18 |
US Top Hard Rock Albums (Billboard)[44] | 2 |
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[45] | 6 |
US Top Tastemaker Albums (Billboard)[46] | 14 |
References
- 1 2 3 Dom Lawson (2013-10-10). "Trivium: Vengeance Falls – review | Music". theguardian.com. Retrieved 2013-11-07.
- 1 2 3 Heaney, Gregory. Vengeance Falls at AllMusic. Retrieved November 7, 2013.
- ↑ "Trivium Brave This Storm (Single)". Spirit of Metal. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
- 1 2 "日本語タイトル: ヴェンジャンス・フォールズ [初回限定スペシャルプライス盤]/ トリヴィアム". CDJapan. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
- ↑ "Trivium – "Vengeance Falls" On October 15!". Roadrunner Records. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
- ↑ "DISTURBED's David Draiman Producing New TRIVIUM Album". Metalinjection.net. Retrieved 2015-04-04.
- ↑ Freeman, Phil (2013-03-25). "Exclusive Interview: Matt Heafy". Roadrunner Records. Retrieved 2013-11-07.
- ↑ "Trivium Debut "Brave This Storm," Offer Free Download". Underthegunreview.net. 2013-07-31. Retrieved 2015-04-04.
- ↑ "Access: Paolo Gregoletto of Trivium at Getaway Rock Festival 2013". YouTube. 2013-08-09. Retrieved 2013-11-07.
- ↑ "Trivium: 'Vengeance Falls' Track Listing Revealed". Blabbermouth.net. 2013-08-01. Retrieved 2013-11-07.
- 1 2 "Vengeance Falls Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 2013-11-07.
- 1 2 Chad Bowar. "Trivium – Vengeance Falls Review". About. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
- ↑ "Trivium – Vengeance Falls – Alternative Press". Altpress.com. 2013-10-15. Retrieved 2013-11-07.
- ↑
- 1 2 "Album Review: Trivium – "Vengeance Falls"". New Noise Magazine. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
- ↑ "Trivium's Vengeance Falls (Media Review) – Premier Guitar". Retrieved 24 November 2014.
- ↑ Richard Cartey. "Trivium – Vengeance Falls | Reviews | Rock Sound". Rocksound.tv. Retrieved 2013-11-07.
- ↑ Thompson D. Gerhart. "Trivium – Vengeance Falls (album review)". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved 2013-10-15.
- ↑ "Trivium's New Album Vengeance Falls Available For Full Streaming". Rocksins. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
- ↑ "TRIVIUM's 'Vengeance Falls' Cracks U.S. Top 15". October 23, 2013.
- ↑ "Top Rock Albums". Billboard. November 2, 2013.
- ↑ "Hard Rock Albums". Billboard. November 2, 2013.
- ↑ "Upcoming Releases". Hits Daily Double. HITS Digital Ventures. Archived from the original on September 17, 2015.
- ↑ http://www.premierguitar.com/articles/19863-trivium-vengeance-is-fine
- ↑ "Australiancharts.com – Trivium – Vengeance Falls". Hung Medien.
- ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Trivium – Vengeance Falls" (in German). Hung Medien.
- ↑ "Ultratop.be – Trivium – Vengeance Falls" (in Dutch). Hung Medien.
- ↑ "Ultratop.be – Trivium – Vengeance Falls" (in French). Hung Medien.
- ↑ "Trivium – Chart history" Billboard Canadian Albums Chart for Trivium.
- ↑ "Trivium: Vengeance Falls" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland.
- ↑ "Lescharts.com – Trivium – Vengeance Falls". Hung Medien.
- ↑ "Longplay-Chartverfolgung at Musicline" (in German). Musicline.de. Phononet GmbH.
- ↑ "Top 40 album DVD és válogatáslemez-lista – 2013. 43. hét" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ.
- ↑ "GFK Chart-Track Albums: Week 42, 2013". Chart-Track. IRMA.
- ↑ "ヴェンジャンス・フォールズ(初回限定スペシャル・パッケージ盤) – トリヴィアム – ORICON STYLE". Oricon.co.jp. Retrieved 2015-04-04.
- ↑ "Charts.org.nz – Trivium – Vengeance Falls". Hung Medien.
- ↑ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
- ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Trivium – Vengeance Falls". Hung Medien.
- ↑ "Trivium | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart
- ↑ "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
- ↑ "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.
- ↑ "Trivium – Chart history" Billboard 200 for Trivium.
- ↑ "Trivium – Chart history" Billboard Digital Albums for Trivium.
- ↑ "Trivium – Chart history" Billboard Top Hard Rock Albums for Trivium.
- ↑ "Trivium – Chart history" Billboard Top Rock Albums for Trivium.
- ↑ "Trivium – Chart history" Billboard Top Tastemaker Albums for Trivium.