antiMusic.com: Trident - Shadows Review

Trident - Shadows
by Matt Hensch

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The press release for "Shadows" makes a small to-do over the low level of care put into death/black metal by kids these days. With members having been a part of many groups, including Dissection, it is no surprise that Trident is able to back up its talk on this four-song EP of authentic, grade-A blasphemy. "Shadows" is a rare piece of death/black metal that knows what it is and what it wants to be. The focus Trident places on crafting a plethora of enticing riffs layered upon this irreligious foundation works to reciprocate the quality of this genre, made whole by a concentrated atmosphere and a forceful sound quality-factors overlooked by the flavors of the week masquerading as death/black metal titans.

Trident neither depends on legendary works to drive its gears nor some misguided philosophy of veering from the core principles and crashing into some creative ditch. They stick loyally to death/black metal glazed in the Swedish aura of Dissection, Necrophobic, keep the list going. "Shadows" is, however, far from a mere replication of these groups. Quality riffs not unlike the guitar sequences found on various releases from the aforementioned bands are further augmented by strange and complex arrangements akin to Inquisition's peculiar guitar measures. Trident, through this style, hits the perfect balance between familiar death/black metal themes and having enough tenacity and technical ability to make these guitar parts both diverse and enjoyable.

The songs themselves echo a familiar level of stability. While blast beats are plentiful and other themes found in the death/black metal formula are in full bloom, Trident is unstoppable while creating evocative, dynamic explosions of abomination. The band's firmness and ability to heave up several proper riffs and sections per song gives them plenty of room to allow these tracks to dwell, especially the seven-minute "Aftermath." The remaining three cut the courageousness and power of the first song, but still provide admirable death and black metal sections. Trident's style is forceful and wretched, taking the finest elements of proper death/black metal to a worthy height throughout "Shadows." To eschew the pitfalls of a genre while tackling it head-on is no small feat.

Trident - Shadows
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