On October 27 "Triumph" released their tenth and last album "Edge of Excess".
The album marked the beginning of the end for "Triumph", since it was the first album not to feature Rik Emmett on guitar and lead vocals, leaving Gil Moore as the sole lead vocalist.
We always said the "Triumph's" added value is the fact that they have two excellent lead vocalist who enrich the band sound and allow them to be more versatile writing their musical material. With Rik Emmett's departure "Triumph" lost their added value and more. Known for his virtuosic guitar work, smooth vocals, and songwriting, Emmett had been central to "Triumph's" signature sound. His decision to leave in 1988, due to artistic and business differences, left "Triumph" with a significant gap, impacting both the band’s creative dynamics and their fan base’s expectations. Emmett’s blend of progressive rock elements, soaring vocals and melodic sense had always added depth and diversity to "Triumph’s" music, setting them apart from typical hard rock bands. Without him, the band faced an identity shift, with "Edge of Excess" representing their attempt to reforge a path forward.
After a few years of inactivity, Moore and bassist Mike Levine recruited session Canadian guitarist Phil X (In his first recording as a member of a band) to replace Emmett. Phil X’s addition brought undeniable energy and talent, yet his playing style leaned toward a straightforward, gritty hard rock approach, contrasting Emmett's nuanced, multi-genre technique. Not only that, but Phil X only played guitar leaving Gil Moore to sing all vocal duties. This shift changed "Triumph's" landscape, favoring harder-edged riffs and a raw, blues-inflected style over the intricate compositions and guitar and vocal harmonies fans expected. This contributed to the album's overall heavier, darker tone, aligning "Triumph" with early ’90s rock trends but losing some of the adventurousness that Emmett brought.
Opening with “Child of the City,” the album instantly throws listeners into a grittier atmosphere, as Phil X’s guitar riffs drive a rawer, punchier edge. His playing throughout the album adds an aggressive flair that shifts "Triumph" away from their traditional melodic style. The change of style brought with it an almost complete loss of identity. Tracks like “Turn My Head” and “Troublemaker” (featured in the 1992 movie "Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth") are riff-heavy, straightforward rockers that feel infused with the influences of bands like "Guns N' Roses" and "Van Halen". "Riding High Again" riff sounds a bit like "Metallica's" "Enter Sandman", “Love in a Minute” reveal a push for anthemic riff Like "AC/DC", all reflecting the era’s hard rock. Even the album two ballads "It's Over" and "Somewhere Tonight" sound like "Guns" meets "Bon Jovi".
In sum, "Edge of Excess" is a bold experiment, but it is lacking the classic "Triumph" touch. Sadly, with the departure of Rik Emmet "Triumph" lost it's identity. They tried to navigate through a changing rock landscape without its compass, but got lost on the way. No wonder it was the last album of this Great band.
For Listening: Spotify, Apple Music
Comments