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The Triptych
The Triptych
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The Triptych
Studio album by
ReleasedOctober 25, 2005
RecordedJuly 2005
GenreMetalcore,[1][2] groove metal,[3] Christian metal[4]
Length51:11
LabelSolid State
ProducerAaron Sprinkle
Demon Hunter chronology
Summer of Darkness
(2004)
The Triptych
(2005)
Storm the Gates of Hell
(2007)
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

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStarStarStarHalf star[4]
Cross RhythmsStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStar[1]
Exclaim!Highly unfavorable[2]
Jesus Freak HideoutStarStarStarStarHalf star[9]
Melodic.netStarStarStarStar[3]
RhapsodyPositive 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.TitleWriter(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 Parsons4:13
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)
Special edition bonus tracks
No.TitleLength
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
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]

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]
The Triptych Deluxe Edition album cover
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
HM MagazineFavorable[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

  1. "Intro / The Flame That Guides Us Home"
  2. "Not I"
  3. "Ribcage"
  4. "Screams of the Undead"
  5. "One Thousand Apologies"
  6. "Not Ready to Die"
  7. "The Soldier's Song"
  8. "I Play Dead"
  9. "Fire to My Soul" (featuring Dave Peters of Throwdown)
  10. "Infected"
  11. "Undying"
  12. "Through the Black"
  13. "My Heart Strings Come Undone"
  14. "Beheaded"

Appearances

[edit]

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
The Triptych is the third studio album by the American Christian metal band Demon Hunter, released on October 25, 2005, through Solid State Records. Featuring twelve tracks that blend aggressive thrash and metalcore riffs with melodic ballads and clean vocals, the album marks a refinement in the band's sound following their 2004 release Summer of Darkness. Produced by longtime collaborator Aaron Sprinkle at Compound Studios in Seattle and mixed by Machine, it includes a cover of Prong's "Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck" alongside original songs like "Undying," "The Soldier's Song," and "The Tide Began to Rise." Demon Hunter, formed in 2000 in , Washington, by brothers Ryan Clark (vocals) and Don Clark (guitars), draws influences from pioneers like and while incorporating nu-metal and elements within a Christian lyrical framework focused on themes of faith, struggle, and redemption. By the time of The Triptych, the band had solidified its lineup and gained a dedicated following in the heavy music scene, with the album featuring three variant cover arts designed by renowned metal illustrator to reflect its triptych theme. The record's production emphasized dynamic contrasts, from brutal guitar work and pulsating rhythms to atmospheric interludes, showcasing the band's evolution toward more diverse song structures. Upon release, The Triptych received widespread acclaim for its intensity and accessibility, debuting at No. 136 on the , No. 10 on the Top Christian Albums chart, and No. 1 on the Heatseekers Albums chart. Critics praised its "gut-wrenching guitars and pulsating beats" as well as the balance between heaviness and melody, with Jesusfreakhideout.com awarding it a perfect score for outdoing the band's previous efforts. highlighted the improved drumming, added guitar solos, and overall diversity, deeming it Demon Hunter's strongest effort to date. The album has since become a cornerstone of the band's discography, influencing and maintaining cult status among fans for its raw energy and thematic depth.

Background 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. 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. Vocalist Ryan Clark described the approach as staying true to the band's core identity while incorporating diverse metal subgenres for greater accessibility. Clark's creative vision centered on structuring the album as a conceptual "," inspired by the traditional art historical form of a three-paneled artwork, such as altarpieces, to evoke a unified of spiritual depth and . This artistic metaphor aligned with the band's , framing the record as an exploration of through themes of personal struggle, apocalyptic imagery, and radical faith, often depicted as battling inner "infections" of and . 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 and his brother Don to prioritize lyrical substance over commercial trends. Initial songwriting sessions commenced in early 2005, with drawing from personal experiences of amid cultural pressures to craft songs that blurred lines between sacred conviction and profane critique. 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.

Recording Process

The recording of The Triptych took place at Compound Recording in Seattle, Washington, during 2005. The sessions were produced and engineered by , who played a key role in refining the band's arrangements to enhance the album's and intensity. Sprinkle also contributed keyboards and programming throughout the project. Following the tracking, the album was mixed by (Gene "Machine" Freeman). Additional guitar parts were provided by guest musician Lars Katz on select tracks, adding layered textures to the heavy sound. The final mastering was handled by Adam Ayan at Gateway Mastering Studios. The album's artwork featured three distinct cover designs by illustrator , each evoking a panel of a traditional artwork in monochromatic themes of black, white, and red to symbolize the album's conceptual structure.

Composition and Themes

Musical Style

The Triptych exemplifies with prominent nu-metal and 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 . The genre classification aligns with the band's core identity in the scene while experimenting with dynamic songwriting to create a more layered sonic palette. 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 , feature prominent breakdowns for rhythmic emphasis, resulting in a polished yet brutal aesthetic across the 51-minute runtime of the standard edition. 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.

Lyrical Content

The lyrical content of The Triptych centers on themes of , the rejection of sin and secular influences, rebellion against moral darkness, and ultimate redemption through , drawing on apocalyptic and introspective to convey a . 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. 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. Similarly, "My Heartstrings Come Undone" explores personal vulnerability through a haunting of longing and divine intervention, portraying emotional unraveling as a path to spiritual renewal. The lyrics incorporate biblical allusions, particularly to the ' laments of inner conflict and Revelation's motifs of apocalyptic warfare against darkness, blending savage denunciations of with hymns of resilient . Tracks like "" highlight rebellion against internal voids and deception, with imagery of a "curse forever bleeding inside" symbolizing from sinful bondage. This metaphorical approach, evident across the album's 12 songs, reinforces the thematic depth of and struggle.

Release and Commercial Performance

Release Details

The Triptych was released on , 2005, through Solid State Records, an imprint of . Initial formats consisted of and digital download. The standard edition featured a digipak packaging design with artwork by , evoking a triptych structure through its three-panel layout and thematic imagery. Limited edition bundles included variants with alternative covers, offered to early purchasers. Promotion centered on the band's fall 2005 headlining tour, which supported the album's launch across . Additional marketing involved tie-ins with festivals, enhancing visibility within the genre's community events.

Chart Performance

Upon its release in October 2005, The Triptych debuted at No. 136 on the chart, selling 6,000 copies in its first week. The album also reached No. 10 on the Top Christian Albums chart that year, marking Hunter's first top-10 entry on the ranking. It topped the Heatseekers Albums chart at No. 1, reflecting strong initial sales among emerging artists. Following the rise of digital streaming platforms after 2010, The Triptych experienced a revival on services like , contributing to sustained listener engagement. By 2017, the album had sold approximately 150,000 copies .

Critical Reception

Contemporary Reviews

Upon its release in October 2005, The Triptych received generally positive reviews from critics within the and metal scenes, who praised its refined production and balance between aggressive heaviness and melodic accessibility. awarded the album 4 out of 5 stars, highlighting the band's melodic and maturity in songwriting as key strengths that elevated it beyond typical metalcore fare. 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." 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 landscape. 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. 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. Overall, contemporary critics from October and November 2005 emphasized The Triptych's successful navigation of heaviness and accessibility, solidifying Demon Hunter's role in while occasionally noting echoes of their earlier work.

Retrospective Assessments

In subsequent years, The Triptych has been reevaluated as a cornerstone of , particularly for its role in bridging nu-metal aggression with emerging sensibilities. A 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. That same year, a 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 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. The album's impact extended to shaping the Christian metalcore landscape, with The Triptych cited alongside contemporaries like as instrumental in elevating the subgenre's visibility during the mid-2000s wave. A 2022 analysis in 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.

Track Listing and Personnel

Standard Track Listing

The standard edition of The Triptych, released on , 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 , with lyrics primarily penned by vocalist Ryan Clark and music composed collectively by ; track 10 is a cover of Prong's "Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck".
No.TitleDurationWriters
1The Flame That Guides Us Home0:29
2Not I4:14
3Undying4:18
4Relentless Intolerance4:02
5Deteriorate5:53
6The Soldier's Song5:24
7Fire to My Soul4:03
8One Thousand Apologies4:56
9The Science of Lies4:09
10Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck4:13Theodore B. Parsons, Thomas Victor (original by Prong)
11Ribcage3:46
12The Tide Began to Rise5:33

Production Credits

The album The Triptych features Demon Hunter's lineup of Ryan Clark on lead vocals, Don Clark on , on , Jonathan Dunn on , and Tim Watts on drums. It was produced and engineered by , who also played additional instruments. The recording took place at Compound Recording in Seattle, Washington. Mixing was handled by Machine at The Machine Shop in , while mastering was performed by Adam Ayan at Gateway Mastering Studios. The artwork, including the album cover, was designed by . Art direction by Asterik Studio. Executive producer: Brandon . Additional guitar work on select tracks was contributed by Lars Katz. Additional vocals on track 1 were provided by Hayley Baudrau.

Promotion and Media

Singles and Videos

The album The Triptych did not produce any major commercial singles that charted highly, reflecting the band's focus on album-oriented promotion within the genre. Music videos for "Undying" and "One Thousand Apologies" were released and featured on MTV2's Headbanger's Ball, aiding promotion within the metal community. However, "The Soldier's Song" was highlighted as a key track dedicated to the U.S. Armed Forces, written to honor fans serving overseas and to offer encouragement for their courage and strength amid wartime challenges. In addition to tracks from The Triptych, the band saw continued radio promotion for "My Heartstrings Come Undone" from their prior album Summer of Darkness, which received airplay on Christian rock stations and helped build the band's audience in the contemporary Christian music scene. The deluxe edition of The Triptych, released in 2006, included a bonus DVD with music videos for select tracks such as "Undying" and "One Thousand Apologies," featuring live performances and behind-the-scenes footage from a show at The Glasshouse in , though no video was produced specifically for "The Soldier's Song." The album's promotional artwork adopted a triptych format with three interconnected panels, including a prominent panel symbolizing themes of and redemption, aligning with the record's conceptual structure. Tracks from The Triptych, including "The Soldier's Song," garnered airplay on radio outlets like during the mid-2000s, contributing to the album's visibility in faith-based music communities despite the genre's limited mainstream reach.

Live Performances

Following the release of The Triptych in October 2005, supported the album with appearances on the second stage of 2005, sharing the bill with acts including As I Lay Dying and across multiple U.S. dates that summer. In 2006, the band headlined a four-week U.S. tour dubbed the "Triptych Tour," featuring support from Zao, , and , with stops at festivals such as in and Lifefest in . Setlists from this era prominently featured staples from The Triptych as well as earlier material, including "Undying," "The Soldier's Song," and "My Heartstrings Come Undone" from the previous album. At 2006, the band delivered a set drawing heavily from the album, encompassing tracks like "Not Ready to Die," "The Soldier's Song," "Undying," "Through the Black," and "My Heartstrings Come Undone," alongside select earlier material. While no full album play was documented at the festival, the performances showcased the record's intense dynamics in a festival setting tailored to Christian audiences. No official live album emerged from the 2005-2006 promotional cycle, though the deluxe edition of The Triptych included DVD footage of a live show captured in , providing fans with visual documentation of the band's stage energy during this period. In the years following, Demon Hunter's live renditions of The Triptych material evolved to include acoustic interpretations, particularly in later tours where songs like "My Heartstrings Come Undone" were reimagined for stripped-down sets to highlight emotional depth and lyrical introspection. This approach contrasted the album's original heavy production, allowing for more intimate connections with audiences. In fall 2025, during their U.S. "There Was A Light Here" headlining tour with support from , Convictions, and Cultist, the band incorporated select Triptych tracks into setlists alongside newer material.

Editions and Legacy

Deluxe Edition

The deluxe edition of The Triptych was released on October 31, 2006, by Solid State Records as a CD/DVD package, expanding on the original 2005 album with additional audio and visual content. This version includes the full standard track listing plus four bonus tracks: acoustic renditions of "My Throat Is an Open Grave" (3:21), "My Heartstrings Come Undone" (4:07), and "The Tide Began to Rise" (5:23), along with a of "Undying" by (4:12). These additions, derived from the album's recording sessions, extend the total runtime to 68:12, offering fans reinterpreted versions that highlight the band's melodic elements in a stripped-down format. The accompanying DVD, titled Waging the Third War, features exclusive footage from the band's 2006 Undying Tour, including a full live performance recorded at The Glasshouse in . It also contains behind-the-scenes documentaries such as "Filming the Third War: The Making of 'One Thousand Apologies'" and "Waging the Third War: The Making of The Triptych," alongside interviews with all five band members. Music videos included are for "One Thousand Apologies," "Undying," "Not Ready to Die," and "Infected," providing visual context for key singles from the era. Additional photo galleries round out the supplementary material, emphasizing the production and touring aspects of the album. Packaged in a O-card over a clear two-disc jewel case, the deluxe edition features updated artwork that complements the original's thematic design, making it a collector's item for enthusiasts. This followed the album's initial commercial success, which saw over 65,000 units sold, and served to prolong its availability with enhanced content.

Reissues and Anniversary Celebrations

The album made its vinyl debut in 2016 through Solid State Records, pressed as a double LP at 45 RPM in three limited color variants—black/aqua blue merge, mustard, and oxblood—each edition restricted to 500 copies to meet collector demand. This release was praised for capturing the album's heavy riffs and atmospheric elements in analog format, with the high pressing speed ensuring fidelity to the source material. A limited digipak CD reissue followed in 2023, offering the original tracklist in a refreshed package aimed at longtime fans. The 20th anniversary of The Triptych on October 25, 2025, was acknowledged by through posts reflecting on the album's influence and lasting impact in the scene. As of November 2025, no new reissues or special editions beyond prior versions have been released.

References

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