What makes In Waves by Trivium notable?

The album debuted at number 13 on the Billboard 200, signaling a resurgence in the band's popularity. It received positive reviews from outlets like Metal Hammer, praising its ambitious blend of genres and showcasing Trivium's growth as a band in the heavy metal scene. In Waves marks Trivium's fifth studio album and their first release after a significant lineup change, welcoming new bassist Paolo Gregoletto. The band aimed for a more cohesive sound following the mixed reception of their previous album, Ascendancy, leading them to refine their approach to songwriting and production.

How many songs are on In Waves?

In Waves has 1 track, running approximately 5 minutes.

In Waves

Trivium · 2011

5 min · 1 track · heavy metal

A relentless blend of melodic metalcore and thrash riffs, layered with powerful vocals and atmospheric elements.

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Top tracks — play these first

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In Waves — The title track encapsulates the album's essence with its intricate guitar work and dynamic shifts between melodic verses and aggressive choruses, exemplifying the band's signature sound.
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Dusk Dismantled — This track features a haunting atmosphere paired with intense instrumentation, demonstrating the band's ability to blend melody with heaviness effectively.
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Built to Fall — With its anthemic chorus and driving rhythm, this song highlights Trivium's knack for creating memorable hooks while maintaining their metal roots.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

58 /100

Treeline

Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

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: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

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.

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — In Waves marked a resurgence in popularity and debuted at number 13 on Billboard.
Themes: melodic aggression· post-lineup transformation· dark atmospheric intensity
Career context: In Waves marks Trivium's fifth studio album and their first release after a significant lineup change, welcoming new bassist Paolo Gregoletto. The band aimed for a more cohesive sound following the mixed reception of their previous album, Ascendancy, leading them to refine their approach to songwriting and production.
Stylistic neighbors: Killswitch Engage· Architects· Bullet for My Valentine