TRIUMFALL

I love the press sheet that accompanies this promo. The first three selling points listed are: "furious yet melodic/atmospheric Black Metal from Serbia"; "this is atmospheric Black Metal how it should be played"; and "most spectacular Black Metal band from Serbia". Got that? Triumfall are a black metal band, and they're from Serbia. Are these the only selling points the label could derive from 'Antithesis of All Flesh', the band's debut album? Oh wait, there's a fourth: "for fans of early Emperor, early Dimmu Borgir and Dissection". Okay, right, that's a high bar to set for comparative purposes but it's actually quite an apposite one as elements from all three said bands are audible within the eight tracks that comprise this release. The downside to this is 'Antithesis of All Flesh' instantly becomes devoid of originality and innovation. However, the material on offer is well composed, competently performed, and quite an engaging listen. Sure, symphonic black metal injected with a strong dose of melody is old hat, although musical trends are both ephemeral and cyclical, and it's surprisingly refreshing, in one sense, to hear an album that harks back to black metal's early to mid-90s heyday. After all, Dissection are no more since Jon Nödtveidt's suicide, and it's highly unlikely that Emperor will ever reform again, so perhaps the genre needs bands like Triumfall to carry the black metal torch into the 21st century's second decade. The production on 'Antithesis of All Flesh' is far from pristine although certainly above average, and the unpolished sound will no doubt please black metal aficionados. This is not a groundbreaking album by any stretch of the imagination, but nor is it intended to be. With that in mind, Triumfall's debut offering comes recommended.

LABEL:

FORMAT:

Regain Records

Album

ANTITHESIS OF ALL FLESH

Review by Mark Holmes

RUNNING TIME:

50:55

RELEASE DATE:

30th June 2010

TRACK LISTING

1) Atrium Mortis
2) One With The Dark Side Eternal
3) Alegiance To Thy Fall
4) Omega Overcasts The Presence
5) Rise of Pantheon
6) Skies Are The Chains
7) Within Their Midnight
8) The Final Purification

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:

Serbia

"...symphonic black metal injected with a strong dose of melody is old hat, although musical trends are both ephemeral and cyclical, and it's surprisingly refreshing, in one sense, to hear an album that harks back to black metal's early to mid-90s heyday."