Grammy-nominated Florida metallers TRIVIUM have made an exciting return with their brand-new three-song EP titled “Struck Dead”, released today, October 31, via their longtime label Roadrunner Records. Alongside the EP, the band has dropped a gripping video for the title track, inviting fans into the visceral world of their music. You can watch the video below.
The genesis of “Struck Dead” stems from a transformative period for TRIVIUM. As bassist Paolo Gregoletto explains, “In August 2023, we set out to design and build our own studio at The Hangar — a place to create freely, on our own terms.” This venture not only symbolizes a physical space for creativity, but it also signifies a deeper exploration of their musical past and future aspirations. Gregoletto elaborates, saying, “Born from months of revisiting and performing ‘Ascendancy’ in full, this EP channels that familiar power and spirit while pushing into new territory.” For the band, “Struck Dead” represents a bold new era, a declaration of their artistic evolution.
Although the EP consists of only three tracks, it’s a testament to TRIVIUM’s signature style, renowned for its powerhouse riffs and dynamic vocal harmonies. The EP, produced by the band themselves and recorded with Mark Lewis at The Hangar Studios in Orlando, showcases their commitment to crafting heavy, compelling music. Mixing and mastering were handled by Josh Wilbur, ensuring the final product resonates with the sonic intensity fans have come to expect from TRIVIUM.
The “Struck Dead” EP features the following track listing:
- Bury Me With My Screams
- Struck Dead
- Six Walls Surround Me
Building on the excitement of their new music, TRIVIUM will embark on the “Struck Dead” tour starting today, October 31, in Myrtle Beach, with a run that will stretch through December 14, culminating in an epic hometown show in Orlando. The tour features special guests JINJER, with HERIOT providing support, promising concertgoers an unforgettable metal experience.
In a recent conversation with Nate of The Dead Line_net, Gregoletto reflected on the creative process behind “Struck Dead”. He shared that the EP initially took shape while they were preparing to tour in celebration of ‘Ascendancy’‘s 20th anniversary. “We were building the studio — we were literally watching it being built as we were jamming,” he said. This tight, organic connection between the creative process and their evolving workspace laid the groundwork for new music. As they jammed, the vision for the EP transformed from a singular song into a trio of tracks, encapsulating a moment of artistic growth.
Delving deeper into the writing and recording process, Gregoletto noted that tracking was largely completed by January, with the band mixing tracks in between their touring commitments. “We went in with nothing, just kind of, like, ‘Let’s just jam,'” he stated. This spontaneity not only contributed to the heavy sound of the EP but also infused it with fresh energy reminiscent of ‘Ascendancy’ while steering clear of simply replicating it.
Corey Beaulieu, the band’s guitarist, explained that their original intention was to coincide new music with “The Poisoned Ascendancy” tour. “We thought we were gonna be doing a whole year with the ‘Ascendancy’ thing,” Beaulieu recalled. However, after a shift in circumstances, the concept of releasing an EP became appealing. “It was kind of like a fun little project to kind of try something different while we’re chipping away at the writing of a new album,” he remarked. This EP serves as both a bridge for fans eager for new sounds and a refreshing take on music distribution in the current streaming era.
The excitement surrounding “Struck Dead” was palpable when TRIVIUM performed the lead single, “Bury Me With My Screams”, live for the first time at Bloodstock Open Air on August 8. Beaulieu mentioned, “It seems like a lot of people have been listening to it,” indicating that fans were already engaging with the new material well before its official release.
Recently, TRIVIUM also made headlines by parting ways with longtime drummer Alex Bent and welcoming Alex Rüdinger into their ranks. Rüdinger will handle drumming duties on their upcoming fall 2025 North American tour and will contribute to their next album, hinting at further evolution in TRIVIUM’s sound and lineup.
Their previous tour, “The Poisoned Ascendancy”, featured a celebration of both TRIVIUM and BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE‘s iconic albums, ‘Ascendancy’ and ‘The Poison’, respectively. With performances spanning March 30 in Vancouver to May 18 in Raleigh, the tour allowed fans to relive the magic of two decades of metal craftsmanship. Released in March 2005, ‘Ascendancy’ saw significant success, earning accolades like Kerrang!‘s “Album Of The Year” and selling over 500,000 copies globally. It played a crucial role in establishing TRIVIUM’s reputation as a pioneering force in modern metal.
As they continue to garner acclaim, the anticipation for the next chapter in TRIVIUM’s musical journey heightens. With the “Struck Dead” EP now available and their tour underway, fans can expect the same electrifying energy that made TRIVIUM a household name in the metal community.
Photo credit: @blackcardfilms
