Boy-band capital Orlando birthed Trivium, which aspires to be metal’s answer to ’N Sync. It’s not as far-fetched as it sounds: The sometime Metallica tourmates update hook-laden, Def Leppard–style ’80s power-chording with elements of thrash, a dollop of death metal and plenty of teen-pop sweetness. On their third album, the machine-gunning kick drums and occasional hellhound growl never undercut the melodies; even the daredevil-speed solos and doubled leads of guitarists Matt Heafy and Corey Beaulieu are little tunes in themselves. Cream-puffery triumphs when a multi-tracked Heafy croons platitudes such as “Raise your hands up with me, and hold this moment eternally.” At the rate they’re going, these guys should be hosting sensitivity seminars backstage at Ozzfest any day now.

Download:  “Anthem (We Are the Fire),” “The Crusade”