Band:	Foretoken
Album:	Triumphs
Style:	Symphonic death metal
Release date:	March 2023

01. Revenant Of Valor
02. Demon Queller
03. The Wraith That Weeps
04. The Labors
05. Serpent King's Venom
06. His Riastrad
07. Devil O' The Sea
08. A Tyrant Rises As Titans Fall [feat. Brandon Ellis]
09. I Am Vengeance [Naglfar cover]

Not what I expected, but a fine album nonetheless.

Some time ago, I saw Foretoken’s latest on the “albums to review” list. I noticed that the band is active in the symphonic death metal spheres of the metal world. That’s a subgenre that I’m actually quite fond of in general, so, it’s unsurprising that I picked Triumphs to write a review about it.

Now, I’ll be straightforward on this one. Is it good? Yes. Is it death metal? Absolutely. Is it symphonic? Ehm... well kinda... Just like when someone asks you: “how is your dating life going”. Well, it’s complicated...

The symphonic elements are present on the album. However, they are surprisingly good at playing hide and seek in the sound mix. It’s extremely nuanced, and quite frankly I think they should have been more prominent in the mix. This album often sounds more like a straightforward death metal album: a very solid one though. The rest of the mix is fine: guitars and drums have the aggressiveness and raw energy that you would expect (and want) from a death metal album, and vocals are blended in well with the music as well. The performances are rock-solid and overall the production gives them the justice they deserve.

So, this is a bit of a strange one, in the sense that it’s a bit surprising in how unsurprising it sounds. Triumphs doesn’t do anything new, but delivers an experience that’s overall very easy to listen to, and has good flow and pace. That makes it in my book a really enjoyable listen. There were times when I wished that it would have a bit more personality to it: its own unique voice, so to speak. Maybe if those aforementioned symphonic elements came a bit more to the forefront every once in a while, it would stick a bit more in my memory.

This is the kind of record where you feel that every song is very distinct from each other. I don’t even think you could really pick out a track that really stands out. On the flip side, I can’t really say that there was a disappointing song on Triumphs. It’s good at what it does. Did I wish it would do a bit more? Certainly, and I’m convinced that this band is capable of it. As it stands, though, this is a perfectly enjoyable record. Good performances, solid melodies, and a good production.

Like I said, Triumphs is as straightforward as a death metal album can get, but done well. If you are looking for an album that offers variety, then I would suggest looking for something else. If you really want an album that bursts from the symphonic energy put into it... This isn’t it. However, do you like some good, uncomplicated death metal? Then this definitely worth a spin in my book.

To summarize this whole review in one sentence: “A perfectly enjoyable record without any big thrills”.