In this age of drip feeding album hype cycles with a growing string of singles, its unclear if Struck Dead is a standalone EP, or the lead in to a full length. Unable to find mention of a new record, I thought these three tracks deserved a few kind words. Balancing punishing monotone grooves with melodic inflections, an act of swaying between the two plays a prominent theme. More so on its first two cuts are we treated to impressive stomps of guitar brutality that build tensions to be unleashed as Heathy rocks in with crooning guitar leads dripping with lavish color and his ascending voice.
Its closer, Six Walls, blurs boundaries as harsher tones meld with choppy melodies echoing classic Metalcore guitar riffs. Its a more ambitious song, seeking an epic structure as gleaming guitar solos amp up the energy for a closing chorus repeating to a fade out. Impressive but often leaning on the lessons learned by a seasoned song writer, it lacked a vibrancy I heard bold and loud on Struck Dead with its ferocious guitar solos making quite the impression given how little room for originality there is in this performative art form. A short, welcome listen reigniting my curiosity in Trivium.
Rating: 4/10