Photos and writing by Dillon Reesor
Halloween night at the House of Blues in Myrtle Beach felt oddly quiet for the kickoff of Trivium’s Ascend Above the Ashes tour. Maybe the costumes and parties won out over metal this year. Still, the smaller crowd ended up working in everyone’s favor: more room to breathe, move, and actually see the stage.
Opening the night, Heriot made their U.S. debut and wasted no time leaving a mark. The UK quartet brought a heavy, unpolished intensity that hit harder for its lack of gloss. Gritty tones, unrelenting energy, and a raw vocal delivery that cut straight through the mix. This is the type of band you want to be in the pit for, not watching from the back. All around a very solid first impression.
Jinjer followed with the kind of technical precision that’s made them a global force. Tatiana Shmayluk remains an absolute powerhouse at the mic, effortlessly shifting between guttural growls and soaring cleans. Musically, there’s little to fault; every transition and groove landed exactly where it should. Visually, though, things felt a bit static. The lighting and production were solid, but outside of Tatiana’s commanding presence, the rest of the band stayed fairly locked in place. For a group this dynamic sonically, a little more movement on stage would go a long way toward matching the energy in their sound.
Trivium closed the night with the kind of confidence that comes from two decades of performing. From the first notes, their mix was spot-on. Guitars cutting clean, bass thick and defined, vocals right where they should be. Matt Heafy worked the crowd with his trademark mix of humor and energy, clearly glad to be back onstage. The debut of Alex Rüdinger behind the kit was a highlight; his drumming was sharp and powerful, locking in perfectly with the rest of the band without ever overplaying. The massive Monte the Monster inflatable towering over the stage added a fun dose of spectacle without feeling gimmicky, giving the show a distinct visual identity. Even with a smaller Halloween turnout, Trivium played like it was a packed house; they were focused, professional, and clearly having a blast doing it.
All told, the Ascend Above the Ashes tour launch felt like a strong statement of where Trivium stands in 2025, as a veteran band still pushing forward with fresh energy. The chemistry with Rüdinger already feels natural, and the setlist balanced the new material with enough fan favorites to keep everyone engaged. It might not have been the rowdiest crowd, but those who showed up got a tight, energized performance that set a high bar for the rest of the tour.
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