Matt Heafy gives exclusive interview to Trivium Mexico

Spanish version of this interview | Versión en Español de esta entrevista

Hi guys!

As many of you already know, Matt Heafy took part of his time to grant an exclusive interview to Trivium Mexico, and we encouraged you to write a few questions and we would choose the best to send him over (by the way, thank you so much to those who helped us out!).

Please read and enjoy this interview, and remember that #MexicoWantsTrivium :)

Matthew Kiichi Heafy: I know you're reading this, so on behalf of your Mexican fans and all of those who visit this page from all over the world, I want to thank you once again for your kindness when responding to these questions.

If you could describe the journey you've been through musically since you joined Trivium, how would you describe it from the beginning of it to the present time?

In the beginning, I don't know if it was ever a thought out process of creativity. We used to just make music. Ember and Ascendancy were created out of nothing; no standard to compare it to, no expectation to deliver. Crusade and Shogun were reactions to ourselves, and the new album is back to just making music that comes from head and heart.

How does it feel to be the leader of one of the most highly recognized bands of modern metal, and yet still be young?

What's nice about Trivium is that we are a band. What I mean by this is that at any given point, when necessary, any one of us can step up to the plate and lead when necessary. I feel we each have very important roles in the band, and they're hard to pinpoint- but we all can shape ourselves into the demanded position.

Tell us how you got started in metal. Which was the first metal band that you listened to, and which one drove you to decide to dedicate your life to it?

I first picked up guitar around 10 or 11 years old; attempting to try out for a pop punk band, I played "Dammit" by blink 182... horribly. I did not make it into that band, but at 12, when I first heard Metallica's black album, it encouraged me to play like that. It was thanks to hearing Metallica that I decided to practice consistently and try out for Trivium.

What made you delve into the difficult world of music?

Honestly, Trivium was the first real band I joined, and the first and only job I've ever had... So it's all I know.

As far as voice goes, who has been your greatest influence in that respect? Do you use some special techniques to take care of your voice?

There have been so many vocalists who have inspired parts and components of my singing. Obviously, James Hetfield is my first and biggest hero as far as vocals go. Through the years when I was younger, Robb Flynn, Jesse Leach, Anders Frieden, Phil Anselmo all helped me want to develop different aspects of extreme singing.

Freddie Mercury and Paul McCartney/John Lennon are some of my biggest influences as well.

About the music you make with Trivium: You guys changed style with “The Crusade”, and afterward, you changed style again with “Shogun”. Why the throwback to the “Ascendancy” days?

I feel that Crusade was a reaction to Ascendancy; us intentionally trying to do something the opposite of the previous, in order to see what else we can do musically.

Shogun to me is an amalgamation of every album we've done; not quite a throwback to Ascendancy, but a mix of the three records before it. Shogun and Crusade are two albums I love of ours, but I feel we were still reaching out to see what we are as a band; what Trivium sounds like.

We're aware that you haven't yet finished the new album, although we would like to know if you have a favorite song from each album. Is there one in particular that you like to perform on stage?

I have differing favorites daily maybe... But today?

Ember: When All Light Dies
Ascendancy: The Deceived
Crusade: Ignition
Shogun: Shogun

We know very little about your highly anticipated “Album V”. Is there any tidbit of information you could tell us, like what's the inspiration for the album material? How will “Album V” differ from previous albums?

All I feel I can accurately say, is that this new album is without a doubt... Trivium.

Which instruments are you using to record the new album? We've also noticed that you always go back to your Les Paul, EMGs and Marshalls even though you've used other brands in the past. Why is that?

We have been using anything and everything that will serve the song and record appropriately, but for my rhythms, we used my oldest Les Paul Custom with EMG 81/85; Dunlop jazz 3 grip picks; Dunlop 10-52 strings; drop D flat tuning; first generation peavey 5150 into two different Mesa cabs for each side of the guitars.

We are also using Marshall's, Orange, Fenders, Bogner, Soldano, and other bits for other parts of the album.

It's been a bit more than a year since Nick joined Trivium. In what ways has Trivium evolved, individually, and as a group?

The best way to put it is that it feels like we're a brand new band... That we are a bunch of friends who are cutting our first album. It's a true feeling of uninhibited creativity.

We all know that Download 2005 was a landmark event for Trivium. Would you consider that your favorite show, or is there some other show that comes to mind as your favorite?

The unfortunate part of that show is that I can't remember it. It went by in such a blur that I have no recollection of the entire day; just maybe the moments before playing.

It is very difficult to pick an all time favorite show; if you asked me today... The first show I ever played with Nick.

On a more personal note: You cut your hair for a good cause and donated it to “Locks of Love”. What we'd like to know is, will you let it grow again, or are you happy with your short hair?

I am very happy with short hair. It suits me better as who I am as a person.

Hair is no enhancement to musical ability.

Could you please tell us about your first tattoo? Do any of your tattoos have any special meaning? Which one hurt the most?

The first tattoo ever is my right forearm tattoo. The tattoo is by Brian Bruno at Tattoo City in San Francisco; it is his depiction of Kitagawa Utamaro's "Ascending Dragon."

Culturally, all my tattoo's to date are significant to my Japanese heritage.

I feel like every minute of tattooing feels pretty crappy.

And of course, we can't forget about Mexico. What is it that you like about my country, that calls out to you? Is there anything in particular that you'd like to do or eat while in Mexico?

Food is something that calls out to me with every country; I feel you can learn so much through the food of a culture.

Every country in the world, regardless of what specifically good or bad in relation to their history - has an incredible story to tell.

Mexico seems to have a country rich in cultural history and diversity, and all the Mexican food I have had out of Mexico is incredible. Mexican traditional food is one of my favorite cuisines in the world, and the Mexican people are a fantastically supportive and loving fan and friend-base.



Thank you so much for granting us this interview, it truly means a lot to us. Any final words for your fans and readers of Trivium Mexico?

I can't wait to hang out with all of you and share our common love for food and music.

Help spread the word about Trivium and speed up the process of getting us to your home country.

I hope you all have read the entire interview, and if so please tell us what you think, because your opinions are very important for us :) And if you publish this interview somewhere else, don't forget the credits to this page. Thank you!!! :D \m/

Read this interview in Rock & Metal World Magazine