How to Survive a Trivium Show at The Forge

TheForge, USA, May 23, 2018

by Coren McLeod

 

Metal. It is truly a way of life… You live it. You breathe it. You save up every last cent of your paycheck to travel near and far to catch your favorite supergroup to play that one night!!!

To me and many like me out there, it is all worth it in the end. Trivium is that band. They are hard hitting, take the bull by its horns and make metal their own.

Trivium has had a phenomenal year with their astounding album ‘The Sin and the Sentence…” Trivium has dominated the world of rock and metal with songs “Heart From Your Hate,” ‘Beyond Oblivion,” and the self-titled.

On May 23, 2018, I was once again granted permission to review and take photos of Trivium whom I highly admired!!!

I could tell this was going to be an intense show. Security at The Forge was in full force.
I knew the crowd was pumped!!! And I knew I had to take extra precaution.

As with any other show, I was in the pit for Trivium for only 3 songs. So, I made sure my Nikon 3300 was set to get the best photos possible of Matt and the guys.

The one thing I would say is my weakness working as a journalist: I am still a fan. I enjoy the songs and I enjoy watching the performances. Do not get me wrong, I love taking photographs. There is a fine line where the fan must go and the professional must come in.

While being in the photo pit for Trivium, the crowd was rebellious. They were already chatting, throwing the horns and showing aggression. I was mentally preparing myself for whatever happens will…

Trivium came on strong with their 1st song taking no prisoners. It was until the band broke out into “Strife” where it got really aggressive. Again, being in the photo pit at any concert, you’re taking a chance. I realize this every time I step into that space.

Mosh pits occur. Bodies are being thrown around. Some audience members get rough. I had a person body surfing kick me in the head!!! This was the 3rd time this has taken place. Again, I prepared myself.

Yet, I wasn’t expecting to lose my cool when my camera bag was knocked over!!! A rather large man was at the end of his “body surfing” when all of a sudden his feet landed where my camera bag was. It flipped over while I placed it earlier on the ground!

Somehow, it flipped open and I scrambled to retrieve it as fast as possible. I looked inside to make sure nothing got lost. I was in tears to see my long lens for my beloved camera was not there!

My emotions were high. And again I was torn between doing my job or looking for my lens. Considering Trivium was on their 3rd song, I somehow managed to do both.

By the grace of luck, a wonderful lady audience member and a very helpful security guard found my lens within a minute of that incident going down!!! It seemed like a lifetime went by when all this came about!!!

I was and still forever grateful for the lady and the security guard for flawlessly finding my undamaged lens!!!

So, here are a few tips for everyone when attending a metal show:

1) Know your community. Are you surrounded by d–ks or people who will be there if you need water? Or if you fall in the mosh pit?

2) Security guards are your friends. Look what they did for me. Give them respect. I do!!!

3) Prepare yourself to be bumped into. However, know your fellow metal head is there for the same reason… To rock!!!

So, there are just a few tips from me and more will come up here and there!!!

Until next time, keep it metal!

Trivium: you are a tremendous band!!! I’m forever grateful you follow in the foot of greats like Metallica… Thank you for your music and heart!!! I’ll see you on October 21st at House of Blues with Avatar….. And btw: it is a day before my birthday…. 😉

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