My opinion… for me the “Shogun” album the best Trivium album they released! I’d loved what they put out what I have ever after, some albums was good and other was ok but the “Shogun” album is like Amazing! Bands has an album that are perfect and gorgeous! It might be one or multiple albums! But for me Trivium. There fourth album to me is the greatest!
Yeah trivium had always had solos before this record don't get me wrong, but they really went crazy on the solos/leads on this one. Not to mention some of the monster riffage too, some very complex stuff Heafy is throwing down at times whilst yelling/singing away. A good number of guitarists would struggle to even play the guitar lines cleanly I bet, never mind doing the vocals too. 😂
As mentioned Travis Smith was the drummer at the time and his influences included Lars Ulrich, Vinnie Paul, Dave Lombardo, with some Joey Jordison mixed in IMO. I believe he was a bit older than the other 3 and his live performances werent up to par so they parted ways. After 3 different drummers since, they finally settled on Alex Bent