What the Dead Men Say
Trivium · 2020
46 min · 10 tracks · heavy metal
A relentless blend of melodic thrash and progressive metal, layered with introspective lyrics and intricate musicianship.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
What the Dead Men Say Start here — The title track encapsulates the album's themes of mortality and introspection, featuring dynamic shifts between crushing riffs and soaring melodies that highlight the band's technical prowess.
-
→
Catastrophist — This track stands out for its intricate guitar work and compelling narrative about global crises, making it a potent reflection of contemporary societal fears while remaining musically adventurous.
-
→
The Defiant — With an anthemic chorus and aggressive instrumentation, this song serves as a rallying cry for resilience in adversity, embodying the album's spirit of defiance against challenges.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases intricate musicianship and thematic depth, solidifying Trivium's place in modern heavy metal.
What we noticed
- The album opens with an instrumental track that sets a dark, atmospheric tone before transitioning into high-energy riffs.
- Lyrically, the album explores themes of loss and introspection, with verses often juxtaposed against powerful choruses.
- The final track concludes with a gradual fade-out, leaving a lingering sense of reflection.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
6/10
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
- steady, consistent energy levels
- dynamic emotional journeys
- intricate melodies and riffs
- gradual builds and payoffs
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Critical Peak — This album is noted for its ambitious sound and lyrical depth, marking a high point in their career.
- Themes
- global crisis anxiety· mortality reflections· defiance in adversity
- Moods
- Aggressive· Energetic
- Career context
- Released on April 24, 2020, 'What the Dead Men Say' is Trivium's ninth studio album, coming four years after their acclaimed record 'The Sin and the Sentence'. At this point, the band was reaffirming their relevance in the heavy metal scene while exploring more complex arrangements and lyrical themes.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Killswitch Engage· Architects· Bullet for My Valentine
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
-
Sickness Unto You
The shift to addressing personal struggle directly through vivid imagery creates an impactful connection to trauma and recovery.
This choice deepens the emotional weight of the song, moving from general observations to intimate reflection, enhancing its relatability.
Tracklist
- 1 IX 1:58
- 2 What the Dead Men Say Start here 4:45
- 3 Catastrophist 6:28
- 4 Amongst the Shadows & the Stones 5:40
- 5 Bleed Into Me 3:48
- 6 The Defiant 4:29
- 7 Sickness Unto You 6:14
- 8 Scattering the Ashes 3:24
- 9 Bending the Arc to Fear 4:45
- 10 The Ones We Leave Behind 4:56
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.