I’ve had Trinity Test’s self titled album sitting on my desk for a couple of weeks now and have kept moving it to the bottom of my pile to review. Blame it on my insane festival season that is just now wrapping up or blame it on the fact that I’ve been more in of a cozy singer-songwriter mood, it was time. There’s something intimidating about it that has scared me away from reviewing it but that changes this morning. I moved the album with a cover depicting a skeleton child being held by a zombie priest and a zombie Trump to the top of my pile, poured myself another cup of coffee and pressed play. I didn’t know what I was going to get but I knew it was going to be intense and, ready or not, it was time to check out the album.
“Nothing Left” kicks this album in the way I thought it would. Intense, in your face and aggressive, and almost a bit chaotic. The first song of every album really sets the tone for the rest of it and, although under two minutes long, I loved what “Nothing Left” lays out on the table. You can feel the intensity but also can feel the passion come through in Sam’s vocals. Although the cover of this album had me thinking super heavy and chaotic metal, within this first track I realized that I was going to get more of a classic punk vibe and I instantly started yelling at myself for not checking this album out sooner.
“Nu Serf” expands on the classic punk sound that “Nothing Left” introduced. The raspy vocals are a driving force that, when matched with the chugging guitars and classic sounding drums, seem to make this already short song fly by. Although another under two minute song, “Nu Serf” seems to have it all from a catchy chorus that instantly got stuck in my head to an almost breakdown like portion that had me wishing I was watching this live.
Third up was probably one of my favorite songs on this album. “Homophobia is Gay” had me sold on the song title alone. Although there was something intimidating about the cover of this album and the intensity that was coming through my speakers, I loved that this song took a stand that I whole-heartedly agree with. The punk scene is often presented as close minded and aggressive but this song makes it clear that the punk scene is accepting and doesn’t allow hate in which is exactly why I fell into the world I’m in.
“Homophobia is Gay” leads right into “Blood Moon” without any warning and I love that. All of the songs on this album are short and the way they bleed into the next track with a sense of ease just shows that this band has perfected their sound. Although all of the songs blend together, there’s a definite difference in each whether it’s the chorus or the drum pattern. “Blood Moon” stands out because of an almost Halloween vibe that comes from the guitars when the vocals fall out. It’s a little creepy, a little dark, but still 100% Trinity Test’s unique sound.
Another favorite of mine from this quick ten song album is “Nirvana”. I feel like you can really hear the nods to the greats of the punk scene in this track but also hear Trinity Test’s own spin on that sound. The way they blend that classic punk sound with a gritty almost southern metal vibe is presented perfectly in this song. Somewhere between “Nirvana” and “Start Over” was the point where I started scouring the band’s social media for upcoming shows. Both of these songs (and all of the songs for that matte) made it clear that Trinity Test is one of those bands that I absolutely have to see live sooner rather than later. I instantly imagined a sweaty circle pit as the album moved through “Start Over” and I couldn’t help but imagine myself in said pit as the song played through.
There’s something infectiously poppy about “Fresh Meat”. Maybe it’s the fast paced drums and guitars but, regardless, “Fresh Meat” is another one of those stand out songs on this album because, although it’s clearly Trinity Test’s sound, there’s something new in it that hasn’t been heard thus far on the album. That almost infectious poppy vibe stays there for “Work Farce”. My favorite song lyrically on this album, “Work Farce” is a song that everybody working a dead-end job should listen to and study. A relateable subject with an intense energy to back it, this was another favorite of mine (although, can you tell that every song seems to be my favorite)?
“Back Stabber” seems to take all of elements laid out in previous songs and blend them all together to create a highly energetic track with Trinity Test’s signature sound but it’s “This Ain’t Revenge” that closes this album out with a sense of perfection. Another circle-pit worthy song, the energy in the final track blows the previous songs out of the water and almost forces your hand to that play button when it’s all said and done.
My only complaints about this album would be how I really wanted to pump the volume up to eleven but my neighbors probably wouldn’t have appreciated that and the fact that it’s quick and dirty and over far quicker than I wanted it to be. Sure, the album cover was a bit intimidating and them being a band that I have the chance of running into locally had me a bit scared when it came to reviewing this album but, after listening to it, it’s clear that I shouldn’t have been nervous. It’s a great album with a great message and sound and I’m only disappointed in myself for not checking it out sooner.
My Favorite Track(s): “Homophobia is Gay”; “Nirvana”; “Work Farce”
Chances Of Getting A Noise Complaint While Listening To In An Apartment: 9.8 out of 10
For Fans Of: Chaos; Old School Punk Tendencies; Creepy Album Covers
Mosh-ability: 9.7 out of 10
What My Cats Thought Of It: Artemis laid on the kitchen floor covering his ears with his paws; Autumn slept under my coffeetable
How Badly I Want To See This Performed Live: 9.8 out of 10
My Overall Rating: 4.2 out of 5
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