Live Reviews : Trivium, Orpheus Omega & Envenomed @ 170 Russell, Melbourne 12/04/2016

Words: Jonathon Besanko

Images: Cameron Stewart

(Click here to view the full gallery)

Tonight wasn’t the first time I’ve seen Trivium live (that honour goes to 2014), but I can tell you right now, that tonight was certainly the best I’ve seen them. I wrote back then how charismatic the band were and how easily it was for them to not only command the stage, but also the audience. That certainly still holds true today also, what really brought this night to that next level was how easily vocalist/guitarist Matt Heafy holds the crowd in his sway and the level of exuberance at which both the band and audience play off one another’s energy. Not to mention the sound mix! It was quite a thing to behold, but more to that later.

With the first band, and the local support, Envenomed, taking to the stage at 8pm, Envenomed could only squeeze in around five songs. Both the bands opening tonight had relatively short sets (a half hour apiece), and whilst it ultimately meant that Trivium’s set at the end of the evening carried for longer, it also meant that Envenomed had to virtually bounce from song-to-song, with little banter in between. However, to the band’s credit, the Melbourne melodic thrashers made it work. They’d entered the stage soaked under soft magenta lights. Opening with “Reckoning”, the new track off their recent EP of the same name, Envenomed took a little to kick themselves into their groove at first, with the sound mix also awkwardly arranged. The drums, particularly, were rather overbearing when they first began. Thankfully, however, it was by about the middle of their second song, “Burn the Sun”, that all of these issues were addressed and resolved.

Envenomed carried every moment in their stride, with the crowd – and the pit, especially – going from mere curiosity to strong applause and cheering by the third song. Rousing the audience after asking “who’s excited for Trivium,” this crowd interaction further grew to another height when lead vocalist/guitarist Anthony Mavrikis called out, “Let’s see if you know this one!” The band then tore into a great cover of Metallica‘s “Creeping Death”. Getting their own little pit, the audience responded in kind. One of the highlights of Envenomed’s set tonight was the dual guitar assault of Mavrikis and fellow guitarist Brendan Farrugia. Their faces full of elation, their riff work and solos resonated through the venue. The band really came into their own by the midway mark, and by the time they closed out their set with “Slave No More”, they were not only met with strong applause the venue over, but had proven above and beyond why they deserved this local spot.

Orpheus Omega

Orpheus Omega, the Melbourne based melodic death metallers who’d pulled the national support slot, wouldn’t hit the stage for another 45 minutes, but they’re one of those bands where even just watching their soundcheck is entertaining. With bassist Nathan Mesiti reciting the alphabet in death growls, for example, there was never a dry moment with these guys; even when they weren’t performing. Numbers had really begun filling out at this point, in both the pit and surrounding areas of the venue. With the upstairs bar having been closed off for tonight, it gave the Russell this whole other atmosphere and one that felt more intimate.

Orpheus Omega sadly also experienced a few awkward moments in the sound mix when they first began with “Conception / I, Architect”. Thankfully, as with Envenomed, this too was largely resolved by the time their second song, “Karma Favours The Weak”, rolled in. Playing old favourites such as “Unscathed” off their first album that they hadn’t performed live in a while, vocalist/guitarist Chris Themelco announced with pride, “This is the third show of the Trivium tour. It’s so good to be back playing for a Melbourne crowd.” Earning impressive circle pits on songs like “Beacons”, Orpheus used the whole of the stage effectively – with wooden stairs put in either side of the drum kit that allowed the band to manoeuvre, headbang, or dance about wherever they wanted. It gave their whole performance an added presence about it I really liked.

One of the greatest things I witnessed tonight was something not even necessarily musically related. It was this sense of brotherhood, and of people playing alongside one another as something more than just band members. This showed in each act who performed this evening: with Envenomed and the camaraderie and smiles shared as they ran about the stage; in Trivium later, with each member getting the attention placed on them when they had a solo or singular moment in the song, and the sense of kinship that came with that; but, it was especially prevalent in this melodeath five-piece from my hometown. In Nathan Mesiti and keyboardist, Keswick Gallagher, this was most certainly the case – as they demonstrated on a number of occasions. One of the best arrived at the end of the band’s set, where as they kicked it into overdrive with their traditional finale, “Sealed In Fate”, both Mesiti and Gallagher stood half on the stage and half on the barrier and played directly to the crowd. The pit loved it!

Overall, the Orpheus boys put on a fine performance, and one that was elevated by the sheer love and humility you could tell they had, knowing they were sharing the stage with idols of theirs. It gave their performance real kick and heart. It was great.

Orpheus Omega

A little time passed, but soon enough, the lights went down, and as people rose up in cheer expecting Trivium, we were instead met with “Run to the Hills” playing very loudly over the speakers – yep, the Maiden classic! After the initial confusion passed, some people around me got into it. Immediately after, the stage lights sparked to life, illuminating the ornate demonic skull banner of Trivium. “Snøfall” then lulled in, and the Orlando based four-piece took to the stage to uproarious applause. Leading right into the eponymous track of their new album, the crowd didn’t hesitate a moment jumping and headbanging along to the music. Their sound was tight, and the guitar solos sounded phenomenal live!

As Matt Heafy asked the question about whether they had any first timers in the house tonight, he then responded with, “We just have one rule: whatever the fuck were doing on stage, we need you to do!” That’s one of the best strengths about Trivium as performers. Not only are they wonderfully skilled musicians, but they know how to engage a crowd; and it never feels like anything less than genuine. To them, it doesn’t matter if you’ve been into the band for 15 years or 15 minutes. If you’re at one of their shows, then you’re one of them. And Matt Heafy himself declared this at one stage.

Trivium

Getting the audience to chant along to the opening guitar notes of “Strife”, Heafy asked the rhetorical question of who wanted to hear some old material? Naturally, when “Washing Away Me In The Tides” off their second album, ‘Ascendancy’, kicked in, everyone went ballistic. “That’s the energy we need all night,” Heafy proclaimed, “if you want to be the best state on the Australian tour!” It was with “Anthem (We Are The Fire)” and Heafy’s dedication to all in the crowd that earned awesome chanting, and it wasn’t long before he announced amusingly, “If you leave tonight with any shred of a voice, you have severely fucked up your Trivium show!” Going by a few of the people who were around me, they adopted this creed until the very end.

Heafy held the audience in his sway with ease; with him and the others always trying to get people involved – to headbang, throw up the horns, or whatever crazy antics people could think of. It’s hard not to hold respect for a band that cares as much as Trivium do at making sure everyone at their show is having an amazing time. Add to that world-class musicianship and vocals, and you have a little taste of what it’s like to be at a Trivium show. “We always feel at home here,” Heafy said soon after. “We thank you for all your support, we love being in your country!”

Trivium

It’s got to be noted that Trivium are one of those rare acts where each member of the band is just as talented and valuable as the next. Not to say that other bands don’t have this, but more that you can watch any member of Trivium at any given point during their set and be just as impressed and awed as any of the others. As a quartet, their sound is huge, and if it isn’t in Corey Beaulieu’s ever impressive solos, or in Paolo Gregoletto’s chunky bass lines and superb clean vocals (“Until The World Goes Cold” especially brought out Gregoletto’s strengths), it’s in the prominent drum work of Paul Wandtke. Wandtke in particular is easily one of the cleanest, most rhythmic drummers I’ve seen live. And, like Heafy, he oozes natural charisma; as was demonstrated by his striking drum solo near the end of Trivium’s set.

Trivium once again proved to me tonight why they’re indisputably one of the best metal acts you’ll ever see live. Get to one of their shows.

Trivium are on tour now, with their next show tonight – a sell out – at 170 Russell. For all other remaining shows, tickets from Destroy All Lines. Don’t miss out!

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