I watched trench for the first time in 2019 in Calgary. At that point in time they had released a 3 song released titled The Gift of Guilt. The intro during the song Infinite Husk drew me in instantly as the atmosphere began to grow on stage. The growing tone from both guitars, coupled with the Synth by vocalist Jay Breen were executed just over a minute in to release what Trench do so well. Fast doom inspired guitar riffs, paired with hard hitting drums and deep underlying bass. It strikes with full force as I could do nothing but nod along.
Green to Gray follows, with what could be one of my favourite riffs of that first release. Jay's vocals and lyrical timing stand out for me on this song, and more so on their newest release Blossom (Songs: Hellbent Gate and more so on Crystal Shame). I cannot help but follow along as Jay leads the listener through the song, with the heavy guitar riffs supporting every word and syllable. My first listen through Blossom was caught off guard multiple times, as I expected the vocals to take the sideline while the guitars ripped ahead. To my surprise, They came together and filled my headphones fully, giving me something I didn't want to escape.
Both Bryce and Cole bring an incredible amount of presence to this album. From melodic riffs, to incredible heavy breakdowns and technical sections, these two provide a sound that I think is summarized in the Become Fulfilled. It brings the slower atmospheric rhythm coupled with melodic leads that I can only compare to Misery Signal's Of Malice and Magnum Heart. That is a steep comparison, that I have yet to make while listening to new releases, but I believe it is the most fitting. Another example of this occurs on Blossom II, the closing track to this release. It sounds like a darker and deeper Worlds and Dreams. Tommy Chan stands out as his fills during this track give a powerful energy and are fully aligned with the mood of this song. The softer cymbal work towards the beginning of the song accentuate the guitar melody being created. Tony Chan contrasts the driving high gain tone on Blossom I, to something more subdued and but still strong enough to come through the intricate drum work of his brother. The song continues to grow, with both guitars and synth giving more strength to the melody, and finally culminating in a compelling buildup that left me replaying the record from the beginning.
Blossom accomplishes what some hardcore and metal albums miss the mark on, and that is that from beginning to end the album is seamless. Songs such as Patience showcase the more experimental side of Trench, but throughout my many listens I have yet to fast forward. It provides a great transition from Cosmic Grave, 1:33 of punishing guitar, with Jay providing the dissonant notes on the synth. After listening to Patience, comes one of Trench's singles, Hellbent Gate, featuring Jesse Zaraska of Misery Signals.
Both Jesse and Jay's vocal styles work well together exhibited in an almost "call and answer" dynamic. Originally I thought that Jesse would overpower Jay, but
Misery Signal fans will no doubt be glad to hear Jesse's voice after Jay's delivery of one of my favourite lyrics:
Fear from ear to ear reformed in the shape of a smile
We cannot fake a face again for long
No more denying denial
I think this album will catch the attention of a lot of listeners. Those that are looking for something heavy, something different, something melodic, something punishing, or something that will keep them wanting more. Trench has grown from The Gift of Guilt, and if Blossom is their second step, I cannot imagine what their next release will bring to the table.
