ALBUM REVIEW: Triumvir Foul – Onslaught To Seraphim

Serpentine Death Metal overlords TRIUMVIR FOUL return with their 3rd album via Invictus Productions and Vrasubatlat on July 29th.

Starting off with ambience and eerie voices, the hostile and yet tranquil opening moments of the record soon dissolve into a swathe of discomforting riffs, punishing bass tones and bestial snarls atop cymbal-oriented drumming, altogether an abrasive and vicious soundscape of pure Death Metal vitriol. Malicious grooves and war-like battery entwine into a serpentine piece of filthy, malodorous and unwelcoming atmospherics that harken to the old school yet stride forth with the bands recognisably noisy signature of sepulchral sonic artillery. The horror become even more vile with these contorting riffs and warped atmospherics derailing into some apocalyptic and cataclysmic barrage of despair, lumbering into catacombs of Death Metal’s deepest reaches in extremity. The contrast between sheer blasting hellfire and those doomy, more cavernous moments works triumphantly in painting a full picture of morbid excellence. When coupled with the crushing production and graven cover art, this is clearly going to be a memorable, all-encompassing and immersive opus of depravity.

Betwixt monstrous assaults of scathing brutality and abyssal grooves there can be sound some equally violent guitar solos which further the chaotic assault of Triumvir Foul gloriously while not overshadowing the complex songwriting nor primitive aggression, a balance that hangs precariously but successfully throughout all of their unique discography. Frenzy gives way to chasm-like atmospherics with ease, showcasing a stunning and profoundly well-executed understanding of their craft and how its heavy-footed yet artistically rather intricate approach to Death Metal can lurk into further reaches than many, while retaining the true spirit of the genre. The word ‘atmospheric’ has unfortunately become synonymous with ‘soft’ in recent years which is very unfortunate as everything from Power Metal to Death and Black Metal has an atmosphere, and especially in the latter genres, it should be integral to the sound. But this doesn’t have to be one of calm, in fact panic and rage run amok throughout this record, often in tandem. The immediate sense of dread might not be ‘nice’ but is unwavering in its atmospheric side while not alleviating its claustrophobic and oppressive hold of the conscious.

Throughout its nearly 40 minutes of malignant blundering and violations of the self, “Onslaught To Seraphim” displays a diversity that many could only dream of pulling off to such effective results. Utilising noisy and almost industrial momentum in their signature Death Metal blend to marvellous end, giving a totally punishing and relentless yet shapeless listen. Their fluid progressions are angular, taking the most urgent emotions and throwing them together in a haphazard yet natural manner to convey volatility and frenzy fantastically. Misshapen and yet so intrinsically animalistic riffs have all of the dissonance and yet catchy hooks that one could hope for while the busy drumming doesn’t feel like a lazy backbone, rather an equally visceral part of the compositions. Vocally, the consistently blaring howls remain menacing and fit into the framework of the songs at all times without casting the important of the instruments aside for even a second. Like any good Heavy Metal record, there are moments for headbanging, moments for awe and moments for sheer and total mayhem. What else does one need?

Another timeless and varied opus of violence and carnage from Triumvir Foul. Balancing the most bestial and dread-inducing assets of Death Metal to give us a truly pulverising, unforgiving experience once more. This is neither accessible nor desires to win people over, clearly a band whose integrity and skilful execution speaks for itself. Their efforts must be commended, as this record is probably one of the more malicious Death Metal releases you will hear for a while.