Trivium, What the Dead Men Say | Mad Monday

Trivium brings fitting subject matter to Mad Monday with “What the Dead Men Say,” the title track from their ninth studio album.

Mad Monday serves as a marvelous means to start off a hectic, work week for many.  Monday is among the more hated days of the week, so let’s spice it up with some music, shall we? Today’s Mad Monday (May 11, 2020), arrives courtesy of metal collective Trivium with “What the Dead Men Say,” from their ninth album, also titled What the Dead Men Say.

“I’m calling out to you, can you hear me / Numb and disconnected, just beyond your sight / I’m not myself anymore / But I’m not alone.”  The dark “What the Dead Men Say” arrives as the second track on the album.  Of the song, Paolo Gregoletto tells Kerrang on the track-by-track guide that it was inspired by a book inspired by an article of the same title as the song, as well as in-between states, death, and grieving.  Even with so many inspirations, Gregoletto makes it clear, “I don’t think that’s one hundred per cent exactly what this song means, but I want people to be in that mindset and know about some things that inspired it.”

“What the dead men say
It’s just between us
What the dead men say
You can’t let go.”

The lyrics definitely seem to confirm Gregoletto’s various inspirations.  Such is obvious on the second verse when lead vocalist/guitarist Matt Heafy sings, “I’m waiting for a sign of life / And I can’t let go.”  Musically, “What the Dead Men Say” is about as infernal as you’d expect – angular, athletic, jagged, distorted guitar lines, prominent bass, and heavy, pummeling drums serve as an epic soundtrack. “What the Dead Men Say” – an exemplary selection for Mad Monday! Also, worth noting, it appeared on the playlist, A Playlist Comprised of 13 ‘What’ Songs.

Trivium • What the Dead Men Say • Roadrunner • 2020

Trivium, “What the Dead Men Say” | Mad Monday [Photo Credits: Alexis, Brent Faulkner, The Musical Hype, Pixabay, Roadrunner, Robin Higgins, taniarose, Tumisu]