Tag: triumph (Page 1 of 2)

Here we have a Triumph live album that has been coupled together over many shows from three separate tours between 1981-85. Now, I have seen Triumph a number of times and they always deliver a great show but when Gil sings there is a definite lack of focal point, with them only being a three piece.

I have to say, this is great selection of songs and you forget what an amazing player Rik Emmett is. He definitely was my focal point and I loved Triumph for what he brought to the band. It’s hard to pick a favourite here as there are so many great performances, but I really love the version of Never Surrender. Rik’s solo is very fiery and Rock N’ Roll Machine was always one of the tracks I loved to play. (What is it with Canada and trios?)

It’s not a proper live album as such, it’s more of a live greatest hits but nevertheless very entertaining.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

Released back in ’79, this is album number three for Toronto’s finest. After Rush, Triumph are probably Canada’s second biggest asset to the world of heavy rock n’ roll. Having built up a head of steam both in Canada and the US with Rock N’ Roll machine, this album was the band’s opportunity to build on that success.

Just A Game contains one of the band’s most endearing tunes in Lay It On The Line. A kick ass tune that builds and builds in dramatic fashion, and it became a staple in Triumph’s live shows. Having two members that can sing was a great advantage to the band as they could swap with whatever mood the song needed. Although, when they played live and Gil Moore sang there was no focal point, and being only a trio that stage was a big place to fill.

Other highlights of the album are the bluesy Young Enough To Cry which features a fiery solo from Rik Emmett, the heavy groove of American Girls, and the epic Hold On. Triumph for sure made their mark on the heavy rock scene and I’m not sure they get the credit they deserve.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

It was 1980 and with the release of album number five, Triumph were cruising.

This was the second album of a run of four that gave the band great success, especially in North America. Some of the band’s best tunes are on this record: Magic Power, Allied Forces, Fight The Good Fight, and Ordinary Man all became killer live songs. Recorded at Metal Works studios (which was set up by drummer Gil Moore I think), this is my favourite Triumph album and Ordinary Man is my favourite track. The band were really good at doing these big build up tracks that started slow, adding power and dynamics as the track progressed, and Ordinary Man was the best.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

Depending on where you are in the world, you may be looking at different front cover to this album as there are a few different variations. Hailing from Mississauga in Ontario, Gil Moore still has ties to the city as his Metalworks studio and school (which he runs) is located there.

This was the band’s first release from ’77. I’m sure a lot of bands at the time (especially if they were from the Toronto area) were influenced in some way by Rush, and I’m sure Triumph were. Maybe not sound wise, as they do have a more commercial approach, but in composition – definitely. Tracks like New York City Streets and The City, where the tracks are split into several parts, have a definite nod to Rush. Having two singers in a three piece is an abundance of Rich’s for sure, and the differing style vocals of guitarist Rik Emmet and drummer Gil Moore do complement each.

Most people will be familiar with the Progressions Of Power/Allied Forces era of the band where they were huge throughout North America, but this album is a band finding their feet in what they wanted to play. There are so many styles on this album, and they have a lot in common with jam bands of the time. It’s the harder rockin’ tracks that do it for me like Bringing It On Home, and Rock & Roll Machine, where the band really let fly. I really love the jam vibe to New York City and that’s my favourite on the whole album.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.