Chicago modern metal powerhouse TRIALS is set to make a triumphant return on May 1st with the release of their sophomore album, In the Shadow of Swords.
Coming off the heels of their 2011 debut, Witness to the Downfall, In the Shadow of Swords sees the band take their blend of forward-thinking metal and muscular, technical thrash to the next level. Don’t mistake those words for the typical promotional hyperbole either. TRIALS has truly upped the ante where aggression, songwriting and sheer metallic power are concerned. Look no further than the album’s lead single, „Believers in Black,” for proof of the band’s progression. Stream the tune at this location.
In the Shadow of Swords is the first TRIALS recording to feature guitarist Ryan Bruchert (ex-HEWHOCORRUPTS), who joined the band last year. The album will be offered in digital and CD formats. The digital version includes a ripping cover of JUDAS PRIEST’s „Jawbreaker” as a bonus track, while the CD release will feature an additional TRIALS song, „Spirit Leaves” as a bonus. Recording took place at Wall 2 Wall Studios in Chicago and at TRIALS’ home studio with mixing and mastering courtesy of Lasse Lammert at LSD Studios in Lübeck, Germany. The album’s artwork was done by Chris Angelucci with Mark Sugar & Usha Rajbhandari.
A preview trailer for In the Shadow of Swords has been posted HERE.
Conjoined
Believers in Black
Blueprints of Metaphor
In the Misery Machine
With Only Sorrow Now
All the Promises
Upon this Day
Ancestor
Embracing Nothing
Jawbreaker *(digital release only)
Spirit Leaves ** (CD release only)
TRIALS is:
Mark Sugar (guitar/vocals)
Ryan Bruchert (guitar)
Usha Rajbhandari (bass)
Adam Kopecky (drums)