Eloah Burns Out, the second full-length album from British-Iranian black metal outfit Trivax is out now on vinyl, CD and digitally, via UK-based publishing house and record label Cult Never Dies.
The band commented: “The final result of a long and hard process, which saw Trivax transform, develop and shape into what it is today. This is without a doubt our most sincere and powerful expression yet! Not only is Eloah Burns Out rich in its artistic and creative integrity, but it is also the hallmark of the message and the true essence of Trivax – which is always that of freedom and liberation.
“We were, and still are, willing to die for our art, and every second of this record is filled with that very intent – Open your heart to it and see for yourself…”
Trivax began life in the late 2000s, being formed by guitarist and vocalist Shayan. Life there being what it was, he subsequently relocated to the UK. Eventually, he found a like-minded ally in bassist Sully, who had similarly left Syria due to facing imprisonment for his metal associations. Completing this power trio was talented British native M. Croton, a drummer with many years of experience under his belt.
Eloah Burns Out picks up where the band’s The Serpent’s Gaze EP left off and is the band’s most substantial work to date. It includes guest appearances from the likes of Wraath (Darvaza, Fides Inversa, Behexen and ex-One Tail One Head), J. Wilcox (Funeral Throne, Master’s Call) and Russell Dobson aka Naut (Necronautical, Winterfylleth).
The band described their new album as “a thunderous and rabid journey in death’s exaltation, from all accounts of the killer, the dead and the creator. A heavily violent, yet retrospective take on black and death metal – Eastern death magick at its finest.”
Clocking at just under 50 minutes, it is a concept album that tells the story of Death, as observed and experienced through various different accounts. ‘Azrael’ is an exaltation of the Angel of Death within middle-eastern theology/religions, while ‘Alpha Predator’ tells the perspective of a murderer. ‘Twilight Of Death’ shows the view of the dying self/individual and the ecstasy of such, and the final track, ‘در آخر دنیا’ translates to “At the End of the World”, and is essentially the death of the Creator – Leading to the end of the cosmos.
The final climax of the album paints the picture of the death of God, in metaphysical alignment with the sun imploding on itself and thus causing the end of all life in our solar system.
The lyrics for the final opus ‘در آخر دنیا’ were written in vocalist/guitarist Shayan’s native language of Farsi, which belongs to Persia (modern Iran) where many of history’s greatest poets originate from, such as Hafez, Rumi and Khayyam.
Other songs such as ‘Against All Opposition’ and the duo of ‘Silent Contemplation’ followed by ‘The Serpent’s Gaze’ are ones of rage and rebellion. Their common enemy is that of oppression and limitations, whilst their goal is total freedom and liberation.
In September they brought out the single and lyric video ‘Alpha Predator’. The band commented: “As the album is themed around death and its many different facets, ‘Alpha Predator’ speaks from one of the most important accounts relating to death, which is the core perspective of the murderer – The apex killer, the terminator and the one who seeks to end all external traces of life, because it is simply his purpose and destiny to do so.
“This song is a tapping to the shadow side, the primitive side of man and nature, which is something that exists within every single one of us. It is filled with a strong, confident, almost macho – yet harsh and bitter intent, true to the deepest and darkest parts of our very own nature. In the end, the song acknowledges the futility of it all, that we are hardwired to kill, only to some day reach our own mortality.”
Trivax performed the song at Cosmic Void Festival in London on 15th September 2023 at the sold-out O2 Academy Islington, where Mephorash, Misþyrming and Mare also performed.
Back on 25th July, a group of heavy metal fans gathered outside the Iranian consulate in in Frankfurt, Germany and blasted out songs from Iranian metal bands, the first of which was ‘Azrael, an earlier single by Trivax. You can check out video footage of the protest on Instagram by clicking here
Heavy metal is banned in Iran. They call it the “Devil’s music”. Their laws regarding music – and especially black metal – have led to punishment, imprisonment and even death. Thus, the protest in Frankfurt understandable, and the reason for featuring Trivax related to how that band came to be.
You can also check out the video for previous single ‘Azrael here at RAMzine.
The guitars for the album were recorded in the UK. However, they were later re-amped in Tehran, Iran at an underground studio in Ekbatan. Trivax wanted to capture what they call the “air of home”, despite Shayan having been unable to go back for several years due to the life-threatening conditions created by the music of Trivax, alongsideseveral other activities – Not least, a consequence of the oppressive religious and cultural laws imposed by the Islamic Republic of Iran, that Trivax stands against and is strongly incompatible with.
The artwork to Eloah Burns Out is by Waguna Wiryawan (W/G) and tracks featured are: ‘Azrael’, ‘Alpha Predator’, ‘Silent Contemplation’, ‘The Serpent’s Gaze’, ‘Against All Opposition (By Aeshma’s Wrath)’, ‘Memento Mori’, ‘Twilight of Death’, and ’ در آخر دنیا’.
The album is available as CD, 12” LP, cassette and digital formats and can be ordered now via the label’s webstore.
