Crusade (album)
Crusade is the third studio album by American heavy metal band Trivium. It was released on October 10, 2006, through Roadrunner Records. The album marked a significant stylistic departure for Trivium, drawing heavily on the influence of thrash metal bands such as Metallica and Testament.
The album's title, "Crusade," alludes to the band's perceived battle against critics and the perceived stagnation of modern metal. The lyrical themes explore subjects such as war, politics, and personal struggles.
While Crusade was commercially successful, charting in several countries and reaching the top 25 on the Billboard 200, it received mixed reviews from critics. Some praised the band's musicianship and songwriting, while others criticized the album's derivative sound and perceived lack of originality compared to their previous work, Ascendancy. Many compared Matt Heafy's vocals on the album to those of James Hetfield of Metallica, a point of criticism frequently leveled at the band during this period.
The album spawned several singles, including "Entrance of the Conflagration," "Anthem (We Are the Fire)," "The Rising," and "Becoming the Dragon." These songs, and the album as a whole, became staples in Trivium's live performances.
The album's artwork features a depiction of a knight on horseback, consistent with the album's themes of conflict and battle.
Track Listing:
- Ignition
- Detonation
- Entrance of the Conflagration
- Anthem (We Are the Fire)
- Becoming the Dragon
- To the Rats
- This World Is Ours
- And Sadness Will Sear
- The Crusade
- The Rising
- If I Could Collapse the Dying Sun
- Broken One
Personnel:
- Matt Heafy – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
- Corey Beaulieu – lead guitar, backing vocals
- Paolo Gregoletto – bass
- Travis Smith – drums