Trivium Interview: Matt Heafy on Ascendancy, Metallica, Touring and the Future of Metal

With the release of Ascendancy, Trivium was quickly becoming one of the fastest-rising names in modern metal. Despite the band's young age, its members had already earned a reputation for combining the aggression of thrash metal with melodic songwriting while sharing the stage with some of the biggest names in heavy music.

In this exclusive interview, Rockum's Gino Alache speaks with vocalist and guitarist Matt Heafy about Trivium's beginnings, his transition from guitarist to frontman, the band's musical influences, life on tour, Roadrunner Records and the determination to establish Trivium among the leading metal bands of a new generation.

Gino Alache: How did Trivium begin?

Matt Heafy: It all started when I was about 12 or 13 years old. I was playing at a school talent show when Trivium's original singer came up to me and asked if I'd like to start a band with him. We went to drummer Travis Smith's house. He was 17 at the time, while I was only 12. I followed him inside, and he looked at me like, "Who the hell are you?" (laughs). Then I played "For Whom the Bell Tolls," and that was enough to convince him. We entered a Battle of the Bands competition in 2000, and that's how everything began.

Gino Alache: At that time you were only playing guitar, right?

Matt Heafy: That's right. I wasn't singing. The three of us were really into Metallica and Megadeth, but our original singer had different ideas. We eventually agreed that he would leave the band. Then Travis looked at me and said, "You're going to be the singer." I thought there was no way I could do it because I was going through puberty! (laughs). After school every day I practiced singing Master of Puppets while playing guitar. I kept doing it until everything started coming together.

Gino Alache: Who are your biggest musical influences?

Matt Heafy: Metallica, Megadeth, Pantera and Testament are definitely the biggest ones. But everyone in the band listens to different things. Travis loves '90s grunge, Paulo is into '80s thrash, Corey is more into traditional heavy metal, and lately I've been listening to Rammstein and Iron Maiden.

Gino Alache: To me, Trivium sounds like a modern thrash band with strong melodic hooks. Almost as if early Metallica had met Killswitch Engage.

Matt Heafy: Thank you! That's actually pretty accurate. I don't always know where those melodies come from. For example, when I wrote "Declaration" I had been listening to bands like Taking Back Sunday. Listening to completely different music helps my brain create something original instead of ripping anyone off.

Gino Alache: How would you describe Trivium's sound?

Matt Heafy: Metal as fuck! (laughs). If I had to compare it to something, I'd say it's a combination of Metallica and Megadeth.

Gino Alache: Your lyrics often deal with real-life issues.

Matt Heafy: They do. We write about child abuse, domestic violence, broken homes and many of the problems people face every day. Those are issues I've always felt strongly about, and music is my way of expressing those feelings.

Gino Alache: What's the meaning behind the name Trivium?

Matt Heafy: It's a Latin word referring to the three classical disciplines: grammar, rhetoric and logic.

Gino Alache: The band is still very young. How old is everyone?

Matt Heafy: I'm 18. Paulo is 19, Corey is 21 and Travis is 22.

Gino Alache: Most of the bands you're touring with are much older. What does that mean to you?

Matt Heafy: I think it's an advantage. We're younger, we're hungry, and we're ready to compete. We know what we want, and we know how to perform live.

Gino Alache: Touring can be exhausting. Do you think Trivium is ready for that lifestyle?

Matt Heafy: Absolutely. I love it. Yesterday I spent the whole night at home and I was already bored. I couldn't wait to get back on the road.

Gino Alache: Are you involved in any other musical projects?

Matt Heafy: Yes. I'm also the vocalist for Capharnaum, which is a technical death metal band. We have members from Monstrosity and Martyr, and we've already released an album.

Gino Alache: Trivium has been touring constantly with bands like Machine Head, Fear Factory, Chimaira and many others.

Matt Heafy: We've toured with God Forbid, Iced Earth, Machine Head and Chimaira. We also did several tours with Fear Factory and Ill Niño, which were incredible. Machine Head is one of my favorite bands, so touring with them was amazing.

We've also played many shows with metalcore bands. Some metalcore and hardcore fans don't really like us, but that's okay. Our goal is to reach metal fans.

We have even more tours coming up with The Dillinger Escape Plan, Danzig, Three Inches of Blood, Slipknot, Lamb of God and Shadows Fall. Honestly, we're going to be busy for at least the next two years.

Gino Alache: Roadrunner Records seems to have a lot of confidence in Trivium. Do you feel any pressure?

Matt Heafy: Not at all. All we feel is love and respect from Roadrunner. As long as we're out there playing shows, we're happy.

Gino Alache: I heard you drove through Hurricane Charlie just to make a show. Is that true?

Matt Heafy: Yes! We had played in Atlanta the night before, and we knew people were waiting for us. Travis drove straight through Hurricane Charlie without stopping. Nothing was going to keep us from getting to that show.

Gino Alache: What is Trivium's ultimate goal?

Matt Heafy: To become the next Metallica. Honestly, we want to become the second greatest metal band of all time. If we ever made our own "Black Album," we'd immediately want to go back and make another Kill 'Em All. We definitely don't want to make our own Load or Reload. (laughs)

Gino Alache: Is there anything else you'd like to say to Rockum readers?

Matt Heafy: Anything you can dream is achievable. We're living proof of that. Don't let anyone discourage you. If you work hard and stay determined, your goals can become reality. We are living proof that dreams really can come true.