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The Triptych
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| The Triptych | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | October 25, 2005 | |||
| Recorded | July 2005 | |||
| Genre | Metalcore,[1][2] groove metal,[3] Christian metal[4] | |||
| Length | 51:11 | |||
| Label | Solid State | |||
| Producer | Aaron Sprinkle | |||
| Demon Hunter chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Alternative covers | ||||
![]() One of the three original covers | ||||
| Alternative cover | ||||
![]() One of the three original covers | ||||
The Triptych is the third studio album by American Christian metal band Demon Hunter, released on October 25, 2005. Produced by Aaron Sprinkle (Emery, Fair) and mixed by Machine (Lamb of God), The Triptych had three different album covers—implying a traditional triptych—by Dan Seagrave.
The album hit the No. 1 position on the Billboard's Heatseekers chart during its first week of release in stores, with 6,000 copies sold,[5] and was re-released on October 31, 2006. The album was later included on Demon Hunter's Double Take1 (2007) and Death, a Destination2 (2011) compilations.[6][7]
Vocalist Ryan Clark described in a 2009 interview that, while the previous two albums had him record vocals with a standing, screened microphone, for The Triptych, he used a basic handheld mic. This allowed him to move around freely and hold longer notes; however, it also allowed Clark to naturally cup the mic which consequently muffled or distanced his vocals.[8]
Critical reception
[edit]| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic | |
| Cross Rhythms | |
| Exclaim! | Highly unfavorable[2] |
| Jesus Freak Hideout | |
| Melodic.net | |
| Rhapsody | Positive link |
The album received generally positive views and was a huge commercial success, reaching No 10. in the Top Christian Albums chart in 2005 and the No. 1 spot on the Top Heatseekers chart in 2006. Eduardo Rivadavia from AllMusic gave the album 4 1/2 out of 5 stars, saying "Christian metal has enjoyed startlingly infrequent success stories over the years."[4] Kaj Roth from Melodic.net gave the album 4 out of 5 stars, stating "This is a numetal monster of a record, what you possibly can ask for in a mega heavy record with all from a gigantic rhythm section to murderous riffs, roars of anger and blockbuster choruses [sic]. It is all here in this package called "The triptych", [sic] this really came as a surprise to me since I wasn't too impressed with Demon Hunter's previous album "Summer of Darkness" [sic]. It was a bit non-melodic and contained more growls than melodic vocals but this time, the vocals is more balanced and the band has also written better songs - you could say they have grown from medium size to X-large."[3]
Track listing
[edit]All tracks are written by Demon Hunter, except where noted.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "The Flame That Guides Us Home[a]" | 0:29 | |
| 2. | "Not I[a]" | 4:14 | |
| 3. | "Undying[a]" | 4:18 | |
| 4. | "Relentless Intolerance" | 4:02 | |
| 5. | "Deteriorate[b]" | 5:53 | |
| 6. | "The Soldier's Song" | 5:24 | |
| 7. | "Fire to My Soul" | 4:03 | |
| 8. | "One Thousand Apologies" | 4:56 | |
| 9. | "The Science of Lies" | 4:09 | |
| 10. | "Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck" (Prong cover) | Tommy Victor, Ted Parsons | 4:13 |
| 11. | "Ribcage[a]" | 3:46 | |
| 12. | "The Tide Began to Rise[b]" | 5:35 | |
| Total length: | 51:11 | ||
- a Live recording appears on both 45 Days (2008) and Live in Nashville (2009)
- b Re-recorded for Songs of Death and Resurrection (2021)
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 13. | "My Throat Is an Open Grave" (acoustic) | 3:21 |
| 14. | "My Heartstrings Come Undone" (acoustic) | 4:07 |
| 15. | "The Tide Began to Rise" (acoustic) | 5:23 |
| 16. | "Undying" (Wild Boar remix) | 4:12 |
| Total length: | 68:12 | |
Charts
[edit]| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Billboard 200[10] | 136 |
| 2005 | Top Christian Albums[11] | 10 |
| 2006 | Top Heatseekers[12] | 1 |
Personnel
[edit]- Demon Hunter
- Ryan Clark — vocals
- Don Clark — rhythm guitar
- Ethan Luck — lead guitar
- Jon Dunn — bass guitar
- Timothy "Yogi" Watts — drums
- Production and additional musicians
- Aaron Sprinkle — producer, additional keyboards, programming
- Lars Katz — additional guitars and assisting
- Mixed by Machine
- Mastering by Adam Ayan
- Recorded at Compound Recording, Seattle, Washington
- Cover paintings by Dan Seagrave
- Art direction by Asterisk Studio
Singles/Videos
[edit]- "Undying" - the first single and video from The Triptych. The video was directed by Christopher Sims (Bleeding Through, As I Lay Dying, Kutless, Lamb of God). The song is featured on X2007.
- "One Thousand Apologies" - the second single and video, directed by Darren Doane (Deftones, Thursday, Every Time I Die, Sinai Beach). The song is featured on X2006.
- "Not I" - the final single on the CD, however, there was no video.
- "Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck" - a cover song, originally written and performed by Prong, from the 1994 studio album Cleansing.
From the official website (February 18, 2006): "We can't tell you how humbled we've been by the outpouring of support from the Armed Forces. 'The Soldier's Song' is for them and the letters, photos and friendship continues. SPC Davis, SPC Peterson and SSGT Childs in Iraq, Specialist Graham who served in the Airborne in Iraq and Afghanistan, Paxton in the Air Force, and Warrant Officer Slagle are just a few of the men and women who are true HUNTERS out there sacrificing everyday, risking life and limb and often paying the ultimate price."
Deluxe edition
[edit]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| HM Magazine | Favorable[13] |
On October 31, 2006, The Triptych was rereleased with four exclusive tracks and a DVD with footage from a live show in LA, behind the scene documentaries, studio footage, interviews with the band on the road, miscellaneous live footage from the tour, and the videos for "One Thousand Apologies", "Undying", "Not Ready to Die", and "Infected". The four exclusive tracks are:
- "My Throat Is An Open Grave (acoustic)" - 3:21
- "My Heartstrings Come Undone (acoustic)" - 4:07
- "The Tide Began To Rise (acoustic)" - 5:23
- "Undying (Wild Boar remix)" - 4:12
DVD live show from the Glasshouse in Pomona, California
- "Intro / The Flame That Guides Us Home"
- "Not I"
- "Ribcage"
- "Screams of the Undead"
- "One Thousand Apologies"
- "Not Ready to Die"
- "The Soldier's Song"
- "I Play Dead"
- "Fire to My Soul" (featuring Dave Peters of Throwdown)
- "Infected"
- "Undying"
- "Through the Black"
- "My Heart Strings Come Undone"
- "Beheaded"
Appearances
[edit]- "Not I" was featured on the Killing Floor 2 soundtrack in 2015.[14]
Notes
[edit]1.Double Take also includes the studio album Summer of Darkness (2004).
2.Death, a Destination also includes the studio albums Demon Hunter (2002) and Summer of Darkness (2004).
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Cross Rhythms review". Crossrhythms.co.uk. Retrieved April 2, 2012.
- ^ a b Pratt, Greg (December 2005). "Demon Hunter - The Triptych". Exclaim!. Ian Danzig. Retrieved May 12, 2012.
- ^ a b c Roth, Kaj. "Melodic Net - Demon Hunter - The Triptych". Melodic.net. Retrieved May 12, 2012.
- ^ a b c Allmusic review
- ^ Blabbermouth (November 2, 2005). "SOUNDSCAN REPORT: CHILDREN OF BODOM, DEMON HUNTER, DRAGONLORD, ALLELE". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
- ^ "Double Take". allmusic.com. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
- ^ "Death, a Destination". allmusic.com. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
- ^ Stebila, Camaren An Interview with Demon Hunter lead singer, Ryan Clark Slumper (published August 27, 2009). Retrieved 12-28-09.
- ^ "Jesus Freak Hideout review". Jesusfreakhideout.com. October 25, 2005. Retrieved April 2, 2012.
- ^ "Demon Hunter Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
- ^ "Demon Hunter Chart History: Christian Albums". Billboard. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
- ^ "Demon Hunter Chart History: Heatseekers Albums". Billboard. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
- ^ Olson, Chad. "Demon Hunter". HM Magazine. Archived from the original on May 15, 2008. Retrieved May 12, 2012.
- ^ "Killing Floor 2 Original Video Game Soundtrack". allmusic.com. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
External links
[edit]The Triptych
View on GrokipediaBackground and Recording
Album Conception
Following the release of their second album, Summer of Darkness, in May 2004, Demon Hunter shifted focus toward developing a third record that departed from the experimental electronic and guest-heavy elements of their earlier works, instead emphasizing a purer, groove-oriented metal sound influenced by old-school thrash and groove metal acts like Prong and Pantera.[6] This evolution marked a refinement of their nu-metal roots into a more streamlined metalcore style, balancing aggressive riffs and blastbeats with melodic vocal hooks to appeal to a broadening audience.[7] Vocalist Ryan Clark described the approach as staying true to the band's core identity while incorporating diverse metal subgenres for greater accessibility.[8] Clark's creative vision centered on structuring the album as a conceptual "triptych," inspired by the traditional art historical form of a three-paneled artwork, such as Renaissance altarpieces, to evoke a unified narrative of spiritual depth and introspection.[6] This artistic metaphor aligned with the band's Christian worldview, framing the record as an exploration of spiritual warfare through themes of personal struggle, apocalyptic imagery, and radical faith, often depicted as battling inner "infections" of sin and secularism.[9] The longstanding partnership with Solid State Records, established before their 2002 self-titled debut, provided the autonomy to pursue these theological undertones without compromise, allowing Clark and his brother Don to prioritize lyrical substance over commercial trends.[8] Initial songwriting sessions commenced in early 2005, with the band drawing from personal experiences of faith amid cultural pressures to craft songs that blurred lines between sacred conviction and profane critique.[6] By mid-2005, the title The Triptych was finalized to encapsulate this tripartite artistic and thematic unity, setting the stage for a release that October.[5]Recording Process
The recording of The Triptych took place at Compound Recording in Seattle, Washington, during 2005.[10] The sessions were produced and engineered by Aaron Sprinkle, who played a key role in refining the band's arrangements to enhance the album's dynamic range and intensity.[1] Sprinkle also contributed keyboards and programming throughout the project.[11] Following the tracking, the album was mixed by Machine (Gene "Machine" Freeman).[12] Additional guitar parts were provided by guest musician Lars Katz on select tracks, adding layered textures to the heavy metalcore sound.[13] The final mastering was handled by Adam Ayan at Gateway Mastering Studios.[11] The album's artwork featured three distinct cover designs by illustrator Dan Seagrave, each evoking a panel of a traditional triptych artwork in monochromatic themes of black, white, and red to symbolize the album's conceptual structure.[1][14]Composition and Themes
Musical Style
The Triptych exemplifies Christian metalcore with prominent nu-metal and groove metal influences, evolving from the band's prior releases by incorporating more melodic structures and atmospheric textures that broaden its appeal within the heavy metal landscape. This shift is characterized by a balance between aggressive intensity and accessible hooks, distinguishing it from the rawer, more straightforward aggression of earlier albums like Summer of Darkness. The genre classification aligns with the band's core identity in the Christian metal scene while experimenting with dynamic songwriting to create a more layered sonic palette.[15][6][16] Central to the album's sound are the heavy, riff-driven guitars performed by rhythm guitarist Don Clark and lead guitarist Patrick Judge, which provide a foundation of chugging grooves and soaring leads. Dynamic drumming by Tim Watts drives the tracks with blastbeats and varied rhythms, while bassist Jonathan Dunn's contributions emphasize groovy, bottom-end support that underscores the nu-metal leanings. Production techniques, overseen by Aaron Sprinkle, feature prominent breakdowns for rhythmic emphasis, resulting in a polished yet brutal aesthetic across the 51-minute runtime of the standard edition.[11][3] Vocal arrangements highlight contrasts between clean, melodic singing and harsh screamed growls, particularly evident in tracks like "Undying," where Ryan Clark layers these elements to heighten emotional and sonic tension. The album's tempos generally fall within a 140-180 BPM range, allowing for a mix of mid-paced grooves and faster, relentless passages that maintain high energy without monotony. These elements collectively define The Triptych as a pivotal work in Demon Hunter's discography, blending heaviness with melodic innovation.[3][17][18]Lyrical Content
The lyrical content of The Triptych centers on themes of spiritual warfare, the rejection of sin and secular influences, rebellion against moral darkness, and ultimate redemption through faith, drawing on apocalyptic imagery and introspective faith to convey a Christian worldview.[9][19][20][3] Vocalist and primary lyricist Ryan Clark crafts these themes using metaphorical language rooted in personal experiences of doubt and emotional turmoil, favoring poetic symbolism over explicit preaching to invite broader reflection on faith's role in overcoming adversity.[3][19] For instance, the track "Undying" serves as an anthem for eternal life and salvation, confronting mortality with lines like "One final heartbreak / And blinding lights will guide our way," emphasizing redemption's triumph over death as a core biblical promise.[21] Similarly, "My Heartstrings Come Undone" explores personal vulnerability through a haunting ballad of longing and divine intervention, portraying emotional unraveling as a path to spiritual renewal.[22] The lyrics incorporate biblical allusions, particularly to the Psalms' laments of inner conflict and Revelation's motifs of apocalyptic warfare against darkness, blending savage denunciations of sin with hymns of resilient faith.[9] Tracks like "Not I" highlight rebellion against internal voids and deception, with imagery of a "curse forever bleeding inside" symbolizing exile from sinful bondage.[19] This metaphorical approach, evident across the album's 12 songs, reinforces the thematic depth of faith and struggle.Release and Commercial Performance
Release Details
The Triptych was released on October 25, 2005, through Solid State Records, an imprint of Tooth & Nail Records.[1] Initial formats consisted of compact disc and digital download.[23] The standard edition featured a digipak packaging design with artwork by Dan Seagrave, evoking a triptych structure through its three-panel layout and thematic imagery.[1] Limited edition bundles included variants with alternative covers, offered to early purchasers.[24] Promotion centered on the band's fall 2005 headlining tour, which supported the album's launch across North America.[25] Additional marketing involved tie-ins with Christian rock festivals, enhancing visibility within the genre's community events.[25]Chart Performance
Upon its release in October 2005, The Triptych debuted at No. 136 on the Billboard 200 chart, selling 6,000 copies in its first week.[26] The album also reached No. 10 on the Top Christian Albums chart that year, marking Demon Hunter's first top-10 entry on the ranking.[27] It topped the Heatseekers Albums chart at No. 1, reflecting strong initial sales among emerging artists.[28] Following the rise of digital streaming platforms after 2010, The Triptych experienced a revival on services like Spotify, contributing to sustained listener engagement. By 2017, the album had sold approximately 150,000 copies in the United States.[16]Critical Reception
Contemporary Reviews
Upon its release in October 2005, The Triptych received generally positive reviews from critics within the Christian music and metal scenes, who praised its refined production and balance between aggressive heaviness and melodic accessibility. AllMusic awarded the album 4 out of 5 stars, highlighting the band's melodic evolution and maturity in songwriting as key strengths that elevated it beyond typical metalcore fare.[10] Similarly, Jesus Freak Hideout gave it 4.5 out of 5 stars, lauding the "three times the production quality" and brutal yet heartfelt vocals, while noting highlights like the melodic "A Thousand Apologies."[3] Cross Rhythms rated it 8 out of 10, appreciating the intensity of tracks such as "Undying" alongside more melodic moments that distinguished it in the Christian metal landscape.[29] Some reviewers offered mixed assessments, acknowledging strengths but critiquing familiarity in the sound. Melodic.net assigned a 4 out of 5 rating, commending the improved balance of growls and melodic vocals compared to prior efforts, along with stronger songwriting, though it positioned the album as a solid nu-metal entry without groundbreaking innovation.[30] In contrast, Exclaim! delivered a more unfavorable take in its November 2005 review, criticizing the album's generic quality amid similar Warped Tour-era acts, describing the heavy verses and clean choruses as overdone despite solid execution.[31] Overall, contemporary critics from October and November 2005 emphasized The Triptych's successful navigation of heaviness and accessibility, solidifying Demon Hunter's role in Christian metal while occasionally noting echoes of their earlier work.Retrospective Assessments
In subsequent years, The Triptych has been reevaluated as a cornerstone of Christian metal, particularly for its role in bridging nu-metal aggression with emerging metalcore sensibilities. A 2020 feature in Louder magazine listed the album among the 10 essential Christian metal releases, highlighting its versatility in blending heavy riffs and atmospheric ballads like "Deteriorate" while upholding faith-based lyrical explorations of pain and redemption, which propelled Demon Hunter to broader recognition within the genre.[32] That same year, a retrospective in Rock On Purpose emphasized the album's enduring power 15 years on, portraying it as a genre-defining achievement that showcased the band's command of dynamic song structures and emotional intensity in tracks such as "Undying" and "One Thousand Apologies." Critics noted some nu-metal influences, like groove-heavy rhythms reminiscent of early 2000s peers, as occasionally dated in modern contexts, yet praised the record's thematic depth for transcending stylistic trends through introspective narratives on spiritual struggle and resilience.[5] The album's impact extended to shaping the Christian metalcore landscape, with The Triptych cited alongside contemporaries like Underoath as instrumental in elevating the subgenre's visibility during the mid-2000s wave. A 2022 analysis in Ultimate Guitar positioned Demon Hunter's work as a key influence in mainstreaming Christian themes within heavier music, fostering a legacy of bands that balanced intensity with lyrical substance.[33]Track Listing and Personnel
Standard Track Listing
The standard edition of The Triptych, released on October 25, 2005, by Solid State Records, features 12 tracks with a total runtime of 51:00, available in CD and digital formats without bonus tracks. Tracks 1-9 and 11-12 are original compositions written by members of Demon Hunter, with lyrics primarily penned by vocalist Ryan Clark and music composed collectively by the band; track 10 is a cover of Prong's "Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck".[34]| No. | Title | Duration | Writers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Flame That Guides Us Home | 0:29 | Demon Hunter |
| 2 | Not I | 4:14 | Demon Hunter |
| 3 | Undying | 4:18 | Demon Hunter |
| 4 | Relentless Intolerance | 4:02 | Demon Hunter |
| 5 | Deteriorate | 5:53 | Demon Hunter |
| 6 | The Soldier's Song | 5:24 | Demon Hunter |
| 7 | Fire to My Soul | 4:03 | Demon Hunter |
| 8 | One Thousand Apologies | 4:56 | Demon Hunter |
| 9 | The Science of Lies | 4:09 | Demon Hunter |
| 10 | Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck | 4:13 | Theodore B. Parsons, Thomas Victor (original by Prong) |
| 11 | Ribcage | 3:46 | Demon Hunter |
| 12 | The Tide Began to Rise | 5:33 | Demon Hunter |


