Trivax, the band around Mr. Shayan, had its origins in Iran but was revived in 2011 by the band leader’s moving to the United Kingdom. This The Great Satan is album number three and the successor to Eloah Burns Out from 2023. The music of this band is a mixture of black, death and even thrash metal that is supplemented with, how could it be otherwise, Eastern influences. The lyrics are delivered in English, Persian and Arabic.
The idea behind this record is a reference to a tumultuous period in the history of Iran. For example, the Islamic Revolution took place in 1979. Ayatollah Khomeini is seen in this context as the great Satan. He and his followers are said to have slaughtered many people, even minors and young children. With this album, Trivax wants to make a statement: certain leaders really do bring out the worst in themselves. In this context, the record was provided with a razor-sharp production by Samuel Turbit of the Ritual Sound studio. The message given on this record is clear: “لا أرباب لا أسياد / No Gods, No Masters!”
And if the subject is not scary enough, the first song Atash also opens with a piercing scream, noise and then an Eastern rather occult instrumental sound palette. Shayan then creates the first vocals in a narrative way. He only really gets angry on To Liberation And Beyond, a firmly biting song that has its variation but also has a more modern approaches. Rhythmically and dynamically it also reminds me a bit of the Greek school. Lawless Eternal tells its own story largely in an acoustic strumming way and really gets through. Especially when the tempo increases a bit in the middle of the song and you still feel that something is about to happen! Strong and masterful riffing!
The sequel is at times complex and chaotic in the song Here Comes The Flood is very nicely provided with fairy-like female vocals, on The Great Satan. Then again you get a rousing arsenal of drum parts to process that together with a strong riff make you muse about a band like Dissection going into conclave with a band like Glorior Belli. Listen to Daemon’s Melancholia for this. Operation Ramadan is the most monstrous song of the nine, and will give you goose-bumps. I can assure you! Very strong!
For those who are at home or feel at home in extreme music supplemented with an Eastern sound palette, this The Great Satan by the Iranian/British Trivax is a real must. The central message which is very haunting and frightening, is framed in a masterful musical way. This has become an exceptionally well thought-out black metal album and here and there there are exceptionally tasty melody lines hidden. Year list material if you ask me.
Score:
90/100
Label:
Osmose Productions, 2025
Tracklisting:
- Atash
- To Liberation And Beyond
- Lawless Eternal …
- Here Comes The Flood
- The Great Satan
- Daemon’s Melancholia
- Ya Saheb Az Zaman
- Operation Ramadan
- Tamam Shod
Line-up:
- Shayan – Vocals, guitar
- Matthew Croton – Drums
- Sully – Bass guitar
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