""The Crusade" is it's the best thing we've ever put out, but if you talk to me in one or two years about the next album, I'll say to you it's the best one, too."

Matt Heafy, frontman of America's true heavy metal youngsters Trivium, presents the band's new studio album, "The Crusade".

Vassil Varbanov: Hello Matt, how are you doing?

Matt Heafy: Very good. How are you?

V. V.: Fine. Let's talk about your new album, "The Crusade". Please, give us all the details.

M. H.: Let's see... It's coming out worldwide (a week before this interview), and it's our latest album. It's heavy, it's metal, it's thrashy, it's fast, it's technical - it's the best thing we've ever put out.

V. V.: Actually, everybody's saying their new album is the best they've ever done, but what's the reason for you guys to be convinced that this one is better - because you've become more mature with it, or simply because you got more inspiration?

M. H.: Well, I don't know... You're right that every next album is the best one, but I think because we've been touring so much, we got better in what we do with our instruments, and we all have a better understanding of the songwriting process. You know, if you talk to me in one or two years from now about the next album, I'll say to you it's the best one, too. Anyway, I think on this one the music speaks for itself. It sounds pretty fuckin' good!

V. V.: Who's the main songwritier in Trivium? Is it you?

M. H.: Well, you could say it's me, but as a band we finish each song together.

V. V.: Tell us then, which of the tracks on your new album is your favourite one?

M. H.: Right now my favourite one is "Becoming the Dragon".

V. V.: You're going to support Iron Maiden in Europe in late November. What do you think of their latest album?

M. H.: I don't have the record yet, but Paolo Gregoletto, our bass player, told me it's fuckin' amazing.

V. V.: Obviously, you guys are quite busy touring and stuff. Do you manage to find some free time to listen to some other music?

M. H.: There's always time. I mean, we travel a lot while on tour, and - whether it's in a bus or in a car or on a plane - we always listen to music by other bands and stuff we like.

V. V.: So which is your favourite album now?

M. H.: Queen's "II".

V. V.: Cool! Your current tour started yesterday, you have a show tonight... What are you up to now?

M. H.: This is our first ever headlining North American tour. After we finish it, we leave off and go for the Iron Maiden six-week European tour.

V. V.: Ok then, say hello to the other guys and good luck!

M. H.: Thank you!

Copyright: Tangra Mega Rock