Hello fellow TriviumWorlders this is Sean Smith with your Trivium report for the October 11th 2008 show in Grand Rapids, Michigan!
SORRY FOR THE LENGTH. I hope it's a good read.
Ok, let me first say. My plan of filming the whole day via video camera was shot to hell due to a broken power chord. So instead, I wrote the whole day down and took some photos for TW and I hope this will suffice. When I got there, the whole crowd had lined up around the parking lot. Screaming Trivium fans with horns in the air, all waiting to be kicked in the ass in the face by screaming and screeching sounds of pure unadulterated metal!
I was there two hours before doors. I work for the RoadRunner Records Street Team, and so I had a fed-ex bag of Shogun stickers ready to hand out to the fans. I was met by shrills and gasps as I handed them out. After handing one to somebody, I'd hear them read the print on the sticker.
"Well take their fucking...heads..oh shit that's cool"
Yes it is. Yes...it...is.
OK, so! Then I saw Melissa heading out of the tour bus, and she came over to tell me how things are going to go for the day. She always helps me find a safe place to watch the show where I won't get moshed into or hurt due to my brittle bones. At first, she tells me I'll be sitting at Front Of The House next to the sound mixer by the bar. Which is like alright sweet! It's elevated, and close to where the guys are serving monster! I head into the venue and immediately am overwhelmed with Trivium merchandise, posters and other goodies that every Shogun can devour.
I took a look into the venue's floor and realized I was the first one in. CLEAR SHOT TO MY SEAT! Wooh. So I ran up (not really...i ...rolled fast.) up to the seat and took a camera out and began saying, it is time.
The first band came on and they were OK. Not a huge 36 Crazyfist fan. They used the house sound guy and it ended up sounding really bad. Their kick drum was overall the focus of the sound, and the snare was lost. The vocals were over powering and the guitars were more like a distant hum. That really added to my non liking of them. That whole time though however I was wondering just where The Human Abstract was? I wanted to see them. It was right then, that the 36 singer said THA broke down 4 hours behind. And that was a punch in the kidney!
36 Crazyfist wrapped up their set, and I was suddenly met with the bombardment of bar goers who 's only focus was to get a drink and push you down. The drunken slur of "WOOH yea man!" was met all to familiar with the feeling of a drunken fist on your shoulder. It was utterly unbearable.
I left my seat and went down towards the front of the venue near the merchandise. I was looking for the venues handicap relations person to help me find a better seat. When all of a sudden, Mr. Heafy walks around the corner.
"what's up man!" I hear as he comes over to say hello. It was a real pleasure seeing him again, it's been over a year! He gives myself and my girlfriend a pleasant hello and a hug and exits to go warm up.  Then, Melissa comes around the corner as well and asks if everything is OK. I tell her my situation. And she helps me find a better seat.
Which happened to be stage right, side stage. I tell you, WHAT A VIEW! Due to the length, I will skip what happened during ATR set. (not much, just got a cool ATR pick from their bassist!)
Then, the lights went out. And it was time. Trivium came out with thunderous applause. Thudding guitars and pounding vocals moved the entire venue. People screamed, fought, fainted and bled for more. They played the best I've ever heard them play, and one of the greatest setlists I've had the pleasure of viewing.
The setlist was as follows.
Kirisute Gomen
Becoming The Dragon
Insurrection
A Gunshot To The Head of Trepidation
Like Light To The Flies
Into The Mouth Of Hell We March
Down From The Sky
Rain
Pull Harder On The Strings Of Your Martyr
WOW! It was purely amazing. After that, I went to the designated Meet And greet meeting area and waited for Melissa to come over and escort us fans to the area. We were met by an already ready Trivium standing in the lobby. I chatted things up with Matt and Corey for a bit, said a few things to Travis. But what really got me rolling was Paolo came over and signed my poster, and we were both just standing their quietly. And I (was loosing my voice) and said "So..down from the sky was fucking amazing live." and his only response was a quiet almost subtle sarcastic "yep..that's a good one." I felt like a bad  reporter!
The guys had to go Canada the next day so they didn't have much time. Everybody snapped their pics with the band, including me (link below) and we all said our goodbyes.
I was told next time they'd be in my area isn't that far off, and I'm happy. I tell you. Trivium and their fans like all of us here on TriviumWorld are the nicest people. I had a blast, and I am ready for the Shogun to rule the world.
Are you?
[img width=590 height=442]http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b331/lotr_moony17/ITMOHWM%20Tour/P1040896.jpg[/img]

Great review Sean!
Sounds like you had an awesome time apart from the seat situation haha
Good shit right there :D

Yes I did, ha thank you!
Trivium know how to please their fans and non fans alike. The only problem I had was merch selling out quickly before I could get my hands on it! ha

Awesome man, good to see ya had a good night , and as ususal Trivium Kicked peoples asses right in the face (paolo you're never gonna give that down hah )

Sean that sounded such a blast, and melissa is so helpful eh very nice woman.
Ther here in 12 days can't wait to see them again. It's been way too long.
Awesome picture Sean
TO BATTLE!!
Chris

great review sean, glad you had a good time, apart from the seating thing but in the end that led to an even better place to watch the gigit shouldnt be hard to get the merch you wanted too, especially if they're gonna be back in your area soon.

Yeah, I hope they have that design next show. Online it's 40 bucks! haha Thanks for the positive feedback on the review. Twas my first attempt at reviewing a show.

even if they dont have the same design im sure the guys would be more than happy to help you get it if you ask them

Great Review Sean. I really enjoyed reading it! It kinda sucks about the seating thing, but I'm glad you were given an even better place.
+ Nice picture. :)

Awesome Sean, thanks for the review!!!
Was so great to read :)
I`m happy you had a great time :)

Thanks guys! I hope it's interesting to read. I wanted to make it detailed!