In the Court of the Dragon

『In the Court of the Dragon』は、世界的なパンデミックによる隔離のさなかに書かれ、録音されたTRIVIUMの第10作だ。プロデューサーにジョシュ・ウィルバーを迎え、前2作で確立した路線をさらに推し進めながら、重厚で幻想的な神話世界を描き出している。EMPERORのイーサーンが手掛けたオーケストラルな序曲“X”で幕を開ける構成が示す通り、スラッシュとメタルコアの攻撃性に、壮大でドラマティックな色彩を大胆に重ねた意欲作である。 先行シングル“In the Court of the Dragon”“Feast of Fire”は、疾走するリフとアンセミックなサビを備えた代表曲として高く評価された。7分を超える“The Shadow of the Abattoir”や終曲“The Phalanx”の劇的な展開まで、長尺の楽曲を緊張感を保ったまま聴かせる構築力が光る。ヒーフィーのスクリームとクリーンを織り交ぜた歌唱、ボーリューとの華麗なツイン・リード、そしてアレックス・ベントの強靭なドラムが一体となり、困難な状況下でも衰えぬ創作意欲を鮮やかに証明した。三部作の締めくくりにふさわしい、力強い快作である。

In the Court of the Dragon is Trivium's tenth album, written and recorded amid isolation during the global pandemic. With Josh Wilbur as producer, it pushes further the direction established on the previous two albums while depicting a weighty, fantastical mythic world. As shown by the structure opening with "X," an orchestral overture handled by Emperor's Ihsahn, it is an ambitious work that boldly layers grand, dramatic color onto the aggression of thrash and metalcore. The lead singles "In the Court of the Dragon" and "Feast of Fire" were highly regarded as signature songs with racing riffs and anthemic choruses. From the seven-minute-plus "The Shadow of the Abattoir" to the dramatic development of the closer "The Phalanx," the album's constructive power shines in holding tension across long songs. Heafy's singing, interweaving screams and clean vocals, his brilliant twin leads with Beaulieu, and Alex Bent's robust drums act as one, vividly proving a creative drive undimmed even under difficult circumstances. A forceful gem, it is a fitting conclusion to the trilogy.