Review: Trishula – Becoming The Enemy

Pride & Joy Music (Friday 24^th January 2025)

Reviewer: Chris O’Connor

Here, in only January of 2025, we have a sure contender for my shortlist for the albums of the year. Now four albums into their career, and British Melodic Rockers Trishula gift us with this luscious slice of Melodic Rock perfection. The band (of course) is the brainchild of songwriter/guitarist Neil Fraser (Ten/Rage Of Angels/Tony Mills), and again he is joined by the golden throated singer Jason Morgan, who simply shines throughout.

The band is rounded out by keyboardist Rick Benton (Magnum), bass guitarist Dan Clark (Rebecca Downes Band), and drummer Neil Ogden (Demon), all of whom acquit themselves with real honour. The album is admirably produced and engineered by Sheena Sear, who captures the band’s powerful and melodic sound perfectly. You’d be hard pressed to think this was not a major label band given everything you’re hearing.

From the off, the band is in incendiary form, it’s not just the musicianship that is top notch though, the songs are beautifully crafted, the album rips past in what feels like no time at all, and you immediately want to press ‘replay’, which is always the sign of a quality release. I can honestly say that ‘Becoming The Enemy’ has been on heavy rotation for me, and will doubtless continue to be so.

From the second ‘Wardance (Long Live The Rising)’ fairly erupts from the speakers, it’s obvious that this is a very special album indeed. This song is an anthemic powerhouse, a truly towering statement of intent, having a colossal riff, some stellar lead work, and a killer chorus. ‘Will Heaven Ever Give Us What We Need’ follows, and is every bit as impressive, Jason Morgan shows what a wonderful singer he is, it’s another fabulous track.

‘When I Gave You Everything’ is a wonderful emotive power ballad, and is a great change of pace, while ‘The Walls Of Eden’ is just about as perfect a slice of melodic hard rock as you could ever hope to hear. ‘The Long Goodbye’ is a second slice of intensely powerful power balladry, beautifully played and sung, it is absolutely perfect.

‘You’re My Detonation’ is a feel-good foot stamping, hip shaking rocker with a cool riff, that puts a smile on your face Desmond Child would have been proud to have written this. ‘Here Comes The Night’ is perhaps the least ‘immediate’ song on first play, but soon grows – it’s another melodic rock standard in the making.

Wait For A Minute’ is a smooth yet heavy rocker with a driving rhythm and a killer riff, while ‘Down Down Down’ is an out and out rocker, the band powering along with true classic style and panache, it’s a glorious romp. The album closes with the languidly elegant ‘Hold My Hand’, a final and fabulous power ballad. Again, Jason Morgan excels vocally, while Neil Fraser and Rick Benton bring their A-game, musically this could be Neal Schon and Jonathan Cain in their prime – it’s a glorious way to end what is a truly epic album.

Trishula have really excelled themselves with ‘Becoming The Enemy’, and I unashamedly urge you to buy this gem of an album – or to regret it for the longest time. Simply brilliant.

Tracklist:

1. Wardance (Long Live The Rising)
2. Will Heaven Ever Give Us What We Need
3. When I Gave You Everything
4. The Walls Of Eden
5. The Long Goodbye
6. You’re My Detonation
7. Here Comes The Night
8. Wait For A Minute
9. Down Down Down
10. Hold My Hand

Line up:

Neil Fraser: Guitar, Keyboards, Backing Vocals

Jason Morgan: Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals

Rick Benton: Keyboards

Dan Clark: Bass Guitar

Neil Ogden: Drums.

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