In Waves
Trivium · 2011
152 min · 33 tracks · heavy metal
A relentless blend of melodic hooks and ferocious riffs, layered with atmospheric interludes and introspective lyrics.
Top tracks — play these first
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In Waves Start here — The title track encapsulates the album's thematic exploration of despair and resilience, driven by both aggressive instrumentals and haunting melodies.
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Watch the World Burn — This track showcases Trivium's signature blend of thrash and melody, featuring dynamic shifts that reflect the urgency of its lyrics about societal collapse.
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Built to Fall — With its anthemic chorus and lyrical focus on personal struggle, this song exemplifies the emotional weight that permeates the album while maintaining heavy musicality.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
In Waves showcases strong songwriting and production but is somewhat uneven in pacing and cohesion.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features fast-paced tracks with aggressive riffs, while the second half introduces slower, more atmospheric interludes.
- Several songs incorporate melodic choruses that contrast with the heavy instrumentation, creating dynamic shifts within tracks.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic emotional journeys
- long, immersive listening sessions
- wave-like pacing throughout
- introspective and contemplative moods
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Critical Peak — Showcases Trivium's artistic maturation and received critical acclaim for its ambitious sound.
- Themes
- societal collapse· personal struggle· despair and resilience
- Career context
- In Waves marks Trivium's fifth studio album, released during a period of artistic maturation following their commercially successful album, Shogun. This record showcases their ability to blend heavier elements with melodic sensibilities, solidifying their place in the modern metal scene.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Killswitch Engage· Architects· Bullet for My Valentine
Tracklist
Disc 1
- 1 Capsizing the Sea 1:30
- 2 In Waves Start here 5:02
- 3 Inception of the End 3:48
- 4 Dusk Dismantled 3:47
- 5 Watch the World Burn 4:53
- 6 Black 3:27
- 7 A Skyline's Severance 4:52
- 8 Ensnare the Sun 1:22
- 9 Built to Fall 3:08
- 10 Caustic Are the Ties That Bind 5:34
- 11 Forsake Not the Dream 5:20
- 12 Drowning in Slow Motion 4:29
- 13 A Grey So Dark 2:41
- 14 Chaos Reigns 4:07
- 15 Of All These Yesterdays 4:21
- 16 Leaving This World Behind 1:37
- 17 Shattering the Skies Above 4:42
- 18 Slave New World 2:58
Disc 2
- 1 In Waves (live, Chapman Studios) 4:48
- 2 Black (live, Chapman Studios) 3:28
- 3 Built to Fall (live, Chapman Studios) 3:13
- 4 Watch the World Burn (live, Chapman Studios) 4:45
- 5 The Deceived (live, Chapman Studios) 5:04
- 6 Suffocating Sight (live, Chapman Studios) 3:51
- 7 Down from the Sky (live, Chapman Studios) 5:20
- 8 Ember to Inferno (live, Chapman Studios) 4:40
- 9 Drums 10:26
- 10 Guitar Tone 5:55
- 11 Rhythm Guitar 4:12
- 12 Bass 4:15
- 13 Lead Guitar 4:53
- 14 Vocals 11:59
- 15 In Waves Start here 7:36
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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