What makes Dark Flag by Phinehas notable?

This album received significant critical acclaim for its exploration of darker themes and complex musical compositions. It debuted at number 12 on the Billboard Heatseekers Albums chart, marking a notable commercial milestone for the band. Released on January 1, 2017, 'Dark Flag' is Phinehas' third studio album, following their 2015 release 'Till the End.' At this point in their career, the band was solidifying their position within the metalcore scene, showcasing a matured sound that blends technicality with emotional depth.

How many songs are on Dark Flag?

Dark Flag has 12 tracks, running approximately 43 minutes.

Dark Flag

Phinehas · 2017

43 min · 12 tracks · metalcore

A relentless fusion of intricate guitar riffs and aggressive vocals, embodying the struggle against personal and societal turmoil.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Dark Flag — The title track sets the tone for the album with its haunting melodies and intense lyrical exploration of conflict and identity.
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Burning Bright — This track features an explosive chorus that contrasts with introspective verses, effectively capturing the album's thematic duality between despair and hope.
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Know Death; Know Forever — Closing the album, this track combines heavy instrumentation with poignant lyrics that reflect on mortality and legacy, leaving a lasting impression.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

59 /100

Treeline

Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

The album showcases intricate compositions and strong performances but maintains a familiar metalcore sound.

What we noticed

The album opens with a title track that features rapid tempo changes and layered guitar harmonies, setting a chaotic tone.
Vocals alternate between harsh screams and melodic lines, creating a dynamic contrast throughout the tracks.
The final track concludes with an extended instrumental section that gradually fades out, leaving a lingering sense of tension.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Dark Flag 4:11
2 Burning Bright 4:26
3 I Saw the Bombs Fall 3:33
4 The 38th Parallel 2:11
5 Hell Below 3:36
6 A War That Never Ends 3:20
7 Break the Earth 4:25
8 My Rosary 3:28
9 The Arduous March 1:26
10 Communion for Ravens 3:37
11 Meaningless Names 4:39
12 Know Death; Know Forever 5:07

What to play next

Listen next

The Fire Itself

2021

Go back to

Till the End

2015

Full Phinehas discography Artists like Phinehas

metalcore

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata