The Upstarts: Trivax

 

  

SWITCH TO POLISH

Don't ask me where the idea to write about an Iranian band came from - it just did, hehe. I might actually write something about the Iranian Metal scene in the future, because, surprisingly, there's a lot to write about. Suffice to say that playing Metal there might end in death if a band is accused of Satanism. In spite of this, the former Persian country boasts a rather high-quality scene.

 

Trivax, another representative from said country, may not be that new - they formed in 2009. However, before they were able to release anything, they had to relocate to England in 2011, where the lineup stabilised, and they could perform without any political problems. "The Great Satan" (a colloquial Arabic term for America?) is their third album, but also their first on a major label – OSMOSE Records. And it was released quite recently, in 2025, so it's still fresh.

Contrary to my expectations, there are no Oriental / Arabic melodies, but instead, it's Death Metal filtered through Black Metal, typical of bands from North African countries (like the Egyptian band Crescent, that's the type). This manifests itself in a distinctive, nostalgic-sounding, drawn-out sections, almost like a trek through the Great Salt Desert. Inspirations from the more recent Behemoth (Opus Contra Naturam) are also obvious. The darkness? Check. Heaviness? Check. Too bad no truly standout tracks are avalaible.

 

Unfortunately, the songs drag quite a lot and they lack the punch. Had these gentlemen completely abandoned dreary Black Metal, their art would improve, as their Death Metal side is itching to get blasting, but is diminished by that Black Metal whiny sound. It didn't really grab me - it's a decent music, but more for introspection, rather than something energetic.

 

I'm not going to bore you further, and just say it straigh - unfortunately, it's nothing groundbreaking, but since it covers a "current" topic and comes from an exotic country, if you have nothing better to do, it's perfect to play in the background.