For many metal fans, it’s hard to imagine now, but there was a time when Trivium found themselves as one of the most polarizing young bands in the genre.
During the mid-2000s, the Florida metal outfit drew significant criticism after being labeled “the next Metallica” in the British press. While the attention helped raise the band’s profile, it also put a target on their backs, leading to backlash from both fans and fellow musicians.
Speaking in a 2016 interview with Talk Toomey, frontman Matt Heafy looked back on that period and the unexpected resistance the band faced as their popularity exploded.
“We really blew up in the UK first and we got our first cover feature when we were like 18 or so. The quote on the front was from me because I was a confident 18 year old, and had been in the band for 6 years at that point. The quote was something along the lines of ‘Trivium: The next Metallica’ and at that moment it really worked out for our band in the UK.
But other bands started seeing that and saying ‘Who the hell is this young band calling themselves the next Metallica?’ So that’s when we started seeing a little bit of difficulty, things that we didn’t expect. We didn’t expect other bands to not be ready for this young band that had a boatload of determination for what they wanted to do. Those things were a little strange…”
More than two decades later, Heafy recently found himself reflecting on that era after reconnecting with Papa Roach vocalist Jacoby Shaddix during festival appearances in Europe.
Taking to social media on June 10, Heafy recalled how Shaddix offered encouragement at a time when Trivium were dealing with hostility from many of their peers.
“Back in 2005, I remember finishing Download Festival – one of our greatest shows ever – but I remember it being bittersweet because while the fans were insane, I had the lingering situation that most of our favorite bands in the metal scene hated our guys and bullied us in person when we’d tour with them.
I met Jacoby backstage at Download – he was super kind and said how he dug our band – I thanked him but somehow I knew I could mention the bullying and crap we were dealing with. He told me ‘f the haters’ and that if we stick to our guns and stay true to ourselves – we’d rise above all of that. That kindness of one of my musical childhood heroes stuck with me forever.”
Heafy went on to reveal that the two recently crossed paths again at Rock am Ring and that the interaction only reinforced the positive impression Shaddix left on him all those years ago.
“I ran back into Jacoby after years at Rock am Ring last week ish – he was just as amazing a human as ever.
We were invited to do a show with them in Budapest. Their entire crew, org, and band treated us like kings.
Jacoby and Papa Roach and their entire org are an example of how everyone should do this. Treat everyone as equals and with respect and kindness.
Jacoby. You’re a true star in every sense of the word. Seeing all the band’s kids out rocking to their parents made me so happy and excited for the future when my kids could one day join me on stage overseas as well.
Y’all are incredible. I hope we can do more shows together.”
While Trivium ultimately weathered the criticism and went on to become one of modern metal’s most successful acts, Heafy’s story serves as a reminder of how much a few words of encouragement can mean during difficult times.
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