Trivium Family Tree

Metal Family Tree

This is a project aimed at making it easy to see who inspired the bands you love or even hate. For this I try not to use any influences that the band don’t claim themselves. There will be a focus on predecessors but successors will be added as they site the band. These trees become more and more interactive as new bands are added, allowing you to click any band that has a tree and jump to it.

We want our lists to be better. If you know something that belongs on this list, let us know. When in doubt we will leave it out, so we need reliable sources.

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Trivium is one of the most well loved metal-core bands. I remember a time when they were probably the most talked about band in the mid 2000’s. Honestly I’m not a big fan but but that doesn’t change the fact that they are a very talented band. They have changed up their sound here and there so you wont get to many albums that sound the same as the others despite always sounding like Trivium. Early albums are either written essentially by Matt Heafy or co-writen by him. As the band moved forward writing began being more split and newer albums are credited as written by Trivium. Matt names a ton of influences so lets get started.

 

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Mozart is one of the most famous and well known classical composers. Matt has gotten into classical more and more over the years with Mozart being the composer that really got him into classical.

Mozart is one of the most famous and well known classical composers. Matt has gotten into classical more and more over the years with Mozart being the composer that really got him into classical.

The band that kicked off the rock movement and possibly the biggest band in the world because of it, The Beatles.

The band that kicked off the rock movement and possibly the biggest band in the world because of it, The Beatles.

The fathers of Black Sabbath probably didn’t have an influence on Trivium early on. They got into the 70’s stuff more so in recent years.

The fathers of Black Sabbath probably didn’t have an influence on Trivium early on. They got into the 70’s stuff more so in recent years.

Queen needs little introduction with Freddie Mercury considered by many as the greatest rock vocalist. Matt said he didn’t really get into queen until around 2005.

Queen needs little introduction with Freddie Mercury considered by many as the greatest rock vocalist. Matt said he didn’t really get into queen until around 2005.

Rainbow is the band where Dio first got known as well as where Ritchie Blackmore’s neo-classical style first had prominence.

Rainbow is the band where Dio first got known as well as where Ritchie Blackmore’s neo-classical style first had prominence.

Boston isn’t a band that gets mentioned to often as an influence on metal bands. They are a rock/hard rock band sometimes blues and sometimes progressive rock. Matt says they epitomize what rock ‘n’ roll should be and he is a big fan of the producti…

Boston isn’t a band that gets mentioned to often as an influence on metal bands. They are a rock/hard rock band sometimes blues and sometimes progressive rock. Matt says they epitomize what rock ‘n’ roll should be and he is a big fan of the production quality of their self titled album.

Corey mentioned George Lynch of Dokken as an influence on his playing

Corey mentioned George Lynch of Dokken as an influence on his playing

One of the punk bands that has influence the most metal bands are the Misfits. Although Matt says most of their influences come from metal the Misfits have had a bit of and influence.

One of the punk bands that has influence the most metal bands are the Misfits. Although Matt says most of their influences come from metal the Misfits have had a bit of and influence.

Yngwie Malmsteen is worshiped by many for his neo-classical shredding and has inspired many guitar players over the years. Corey mentions him as an influence.

Yngwie Malmsteen is worshiped by many for his neo-classical shredding and has inspired many guitar players over the years. Corey mentions him as an influence.

Iron Maiden is one of the biggest and most important metal bands. Matt considers Bruce the greatest living singer.

Iron Maiden is one of the biggest and most important metal bands. Matt considers Bruce the greatest living singer.

Depeche Mode is a well known synth-pop, new wave band. Mat is a big fan of their Violator album

Depeche Mode is a well known synth-pop, new wave band. Mat is a big fan of their Violator album

Bad Religion is a punk band that started in the early 80’s but didn’t get to popular till the 90’s. Matt said if there is any punk in their sound it could be from them.

Bad Religion is a punk band that started in the early 80’s but didn’t get to popular till the 90’s. Matt said if there is any punk in their sound it could be from them.

The Fathers of Thrash Metal, Metallica are easily one of the most sited influences for all bands after them. Trivium has taken a ton of influence from Metallica and it easily heard in their later sound. Matt’s introduction to metal was black album.

The Fathers of Thrash Metal, Metallica are easily one of the most sited influences for all bands after them. Trivium has taken a ton of influence from Metallica and it easily heard in their later sound. Matt’s introduction to metal was black album.

Slayer brought the evil to thrash and their more aggressive style would be hugely influential on many.

Slayer brought the evil to thrash and their more aggressive style would be hugely influential on many.

After Rainbow and Black Sbbath, Ronnie James Dio started his own band that has been hugely influential. Matt considers Dio one of the best vocalists.

After Rainbow and Black Sbbath, Ronnie James Dio started his own band that has been hugely influential. Matt considers Dio one of the best vocalists.

Thrash legends Megadeth are one of the big 4 of thrash and at the heart Dave Mustaine, the father of thrash metal. Corey sites Dave and Marty as a huge influence.

Testament are one of the best thrash bands out there and in more modern days are getting the recognition for being a huge influence. Corey mentioned Alex Schonick being a big influence on him.

Testament are one of the best thrash bands out there and in more modern days are getting the recognition for being a huge influence. Corey mentioned Alex Schonick being a big influence on him.

Iced Earth brings thrashy riffs and heaviness to power metal.

Iced Earth brings thrashy riffs and heaviness to power metal.

With the Cowboys From Hell album Pantera kicked off the groove metal movement. Over the next few years they blew up into one of the biggest bands and became hugely influential.

With the Cowboys From Hell album Pantera kicked off the groove metal movement. Over the next few years they blew up into one of the biggest bands and became hugely influential.

If there is one band that deserves credit for kicking off the melodic death movement, it is At The Gates.

If there is one band that deserves credit for kicking off the melodic death movement, it is At The Gates.

Converge range from hardcore punk, metal-core, math-core and a bunch of other core stuff. They are considered pioneers of metal-core

Converge range from hardcore punk, metal-core, math-core and a bunch of other core stuff. They are considered pioneers of metal-core

Emperor are pioneers of symphonic black metal. Matt is a big fan of Ihsahn and how he isn’t afraid to experiment with their sound. Although Matt likes black metal he says it really isn’t heard in their sound.

Emperor are pioneers of symphonic black metal. Matt is a big fan of Ihsahn and how he isn’t afraid to experiment with their sound. Although Matt likes black metal he says it really isn’t heard in their sound.

In Flames was one of the early Melodic Death bands and was awesome. Now they aren’t. Whoracal was Matt’s introduction to melodic death.

In Flames was one of the early Melodic Death bands and was awesome. Now they aren’t. Whoracal was Matt’s introduction to melodic death.

Another very important pioneer in melodic death metal.

Another very important pioneer in melodic death metal.

In the early days Arch Enemy was the new project of Michael Amott of Carcass, but Arch Enemy has since become more known than the later. They are now easily one of the most well known melodic death bands.

In the early days Arch Enemy was the new project of Michael Amott of Carcass, but Arch Enemy has since become more known than the later. They are now easily one of the most well known melodic death bands.

Shadows fall started with a very melodic death sound before switching to metal-core. They are one of the more accepted core bands by the metal community.

Shadows fall started with a very melodic death sound before switching to metal-core. They are one of the more accepted core bands by the metal community.

Soilwork started as a melodic death metal band but since have changed their sound bringing in more clean vocals

Soilwork started as a melodic death metal band but since have changed their sound bringing in more clean vocals

Heaven Shall Burn are often lumped in with the metal-core bands. Although they are somewhat metal-core they lean toward melodic death much more than many others.

Heaven Shall Burn are often lumped in with the metal-core bands. Although they are somewhat metal-core they lean toward melodic death much more than many others.

Cave in began as a metal-core band but then changed to alternative rock.

Cave in began as a metal-core band but then changed to alternative rock.

German metal-core Caliban proving that the U.S. aren’t the only ones who can be core.

German metal-core Caliban proving that the U.S. aren’t the only ones who can be core.

Himsa started as metal-core but moved toward melodic death later.

Himsa started as metal-core but moved toward melodic death later.

Killswitch Engaged are pioneers of the melodic metal-core movement which is what most people thing of when thinking of metal-core.

Killswitch Engaged are pioneers of the melodic metal-core movement which is what most people thing of when thinking of metal-core.

What do you get when you combine pop punk with melodic death and Iron Maiden… Avenged Sevenfold. At least their early sound was like that.

What do you get when you combine pop punk with melodic death and Iron Maiden… Avenged Sevenfold. At least their early sound was like that.

Ihsahn is the heart of black metal band Emperor. He has put out solo stuff that strays to far from what Emperor is.

Ihsahn is the heart of black metal band Emperor. He has put out solo stuff that strays to far from what Emperor is.

The reunion of Dio with Black Sabbath brought us Heaven & Hell. Matt had wrote “Silence in the Snow” after seeing Heaven & Hell live but waited several years before recording it because he didn’t think he had the vocal skill for it yet.

The reunion of Dio with Black Sabbath brought us Heaven & Hell. Matt had wrote “Silence in the Snow” after seeing Heaven & Hell live but waited several years before recording it because he didn’t think he had the vocal skill for it yet.

Corey’s early influences include Maiden, Metallica, and Megadeth. He says Guns n Roses is the band that first got him into rock/metal. Over time they dug into older stuff like Sabbath, Dio, Rainbow, and Kansas.

Matt names his early influences as the thrash bands named above. He then started getting into the Melodic death bands and some metal-core. Later Matt dug into older stuff like Rainbow/Dio, Queen, the Beatles and classical music. He mentions listing to punk bands like Descendants and Bad Religion when digging into older punk bands.

Matt said he will spend the rest of his life trying to be like Freddie Mercury, Bruce Dickinson, and Ronnie James Dio.

Paolo names Cliff Burton, Dave Ellefson and Steve Harris. He also says Billy Sheehan is one of his favorites.

Most of the band listened to pop punk as kids before finding metal.

Former drummer Travis Smith said he loves everything Metallica.

Current drummer Alex is a big fan of Tim Yeung who has played in a ton of death metal band. His influences are very diverse and he has played with a number of bands before Trivium.

As for other drummers I haven’t seen their influences and I don’t think they have actually impacted the band’s sound a whole lot.

Sources:

http://www.metalinside.de/interview/trivium
https://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/triviums-matt-heafy-the-10-records-that-changed-my-life-635537
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.co.uk/2016/11/triviums-matt-heafy-discusses-his-influences-past-present/
https://loudwire.com/trivium-guitarist-corey-favorite-tracks-tips-for-fellow-shredders/
https://forbassplayersonly.com/paolo-gregoletto/
https://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=20247
https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/triviums-corey-beaulieu-were-pretty-numb-to-criticism-now/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9g-HER5HEEA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=0HfWM0gw8bY&feature=emb_logo