Artist: TRIUMPH
Album: JUST A GAME RE-ISSUE (DIGI)

Release date: 1979/ 2010
Media type: CD

Formed in Toronto during 1975, Triumph was a trio consisting of guitarist/singer Rik Emmett, drummer/singer Gil Moore and bassist/keyboardist Mike Levine.

Their self-titled debut was released a year later on the independent Attic label. Although the album did not manage to have a strong impact outside Canada where it was certified Gold, the band quickly became a radio DJ favourite in San Antonio, Texas. He was the key for the band to reach a large regional following, solidified by a following tour. This success resulted in a recording deal with RCA Records, who released a compilation of the debut and Triumph's sophomore effort, 1977's “Rock & Roll Machine”, which included the group's first hit , a cover of Joe Walsh's "Rocky Mountain Way". It was also around this time that the band became known for its concerts, which featured an amazing light show and spectacular pyrotechnics.

With increasing record sales and interest among both the the Rock fans and media, Triumph , began to enjoy their most successful period both artistically and commercially. The resulting albums,1979's “Just a Game” and 1980's “Progressions of Power” brought the band close to breakthrough success, which was finally reached in 1981 with the release of “Allied Forces” (often considered the group's best album, spawning the hits "Magic Power" and “Fight the Good Fight”). The album reached #23 in the Billboard charts and was certified Platinum in the US.

With 1982’s “Never Surrender”, Triumph was able to increase their profile even further, playing at the US Festival together with Van Halen, The Scorpions, Ozzy Osbourne, Judas Priest and Motley Crue in front of 500,000 fans. The album eventually reached #26 on the Billboard charts and was certified Gold

Triumph kept on recording successful albums in the following years. “Thunder Seven” was released by MCA Records in 1984 and for the first time included songs which saw the two vocalists, Gil Moore and Rik Emmet sharing lead vocals. “Thunder Seven” was certified gold in the US and also included the “minor” hit “Follow Your Heart” which reached the top 100 charts in the US. Their first live album “Stages” followed in 1985, including two studio tracks along with a great selection of classics.

In 1986 “The Sport of Kings” followed, a more polished album, saw the contribution from outside writers such as Neal Schon of Journey and Eric Martin (later with Mr Big) among others. Triumph’s last album with the original lineup, “Surveillance”, came in 1987, before Emmett opted to leave the group to pursue a solo career.

On March 10, 2007, Triumph was inducted to the Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame in a ceremony at Toronto’s Fairmont Royal York Hotel. The original members of the group were present for the event. This first meeting in nearly twenty years broke the long silence between Rik Emmett and his former band-mates and sparked conversations that resulted in two Triumph reunion headlining shows in the summer 2008, the Sweden Rock and Rocklahoma Festivals.

While any future plans remain uncertain for the band, the time to re-live the impressive legacy of their music has come. A new set of reissues – in luxury digipak – for the first time, is being released officially in Europe via Frontiers Records. A real present to the Triumph fans, both old and new, who now have the opportunity to purchase these masterpieces of Classic Rock. Enjoy !

TRACKLIST:

1. Movin' On
2. Lay It on the Line
3. Young Enough to Cry
4. American Girls
5. Just a Game
6. Fantasy Serenade
7. Hold On
8. Suitcase Blues

LINE-UP:

Rik Emmett: guitars, lead vocals
Mike Levine: bass, keyboards
Gil Moore: drums, lead vocals