Artist Detailed Info: Triumph

Triumph is a Canadian rock band formed in 1975 in Toronto. The band gained popularity during the late 1970s and 1980s, primarily through its live performances and guitar-driven rock sound. Across its catalogue of studio albums and live recordings, Triumph received multiple certifications, including 18 gold and nine platinum awards in Canada and the United States. The group was nominated for several Juno Awards, including Group of the Year in 1979, 1985, 1986, and 1987, and was later inducted into the Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame in 2007, the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 2008, and Canada's Walk of Fame in 2019.

Triumph is known for songs such as "Lay It on the Line", "Magic Power", "Fight the Good Fight", and "World of Fantasy". The band initially received attention for its live performances and cover material, including "Rocky Mountain Way". The classic lineup consisted of Rik Emmett (guitar, lead and backing vocals), Mike Levine (bass, keyboards, backing vocals), and Gil Moore (drums, lead and backing vocals). This lineup recorded the band's first nine studio albums and remained intact until 1988, when Emmett left to pursue a solo career. He was replaced by Phil X, and the band released "Edge of Excess" in 1993 before entering an indefinite hiatus.

Reunions of the original lineup took place intermittently, including performances in 2008 at the Sweden Rock Festival and Rocklahoma, and a brief appearance in Toronto in 2019. The band performed again in 2025 in Edmonton ahead of the Stanley Cup Final, although bassist Mike Levine was absent and was replaced by Brent Fitz and Todd Kerns alongside Phil X and other guest musicians. In 2026, Triumph announced a North American tour marking its first major touring activity in decades.

Before forming Triumph, Mike Levine and Gil Moore were part of a blues-based group that included Tom Lafferty and Peter Young, performing under the name Abernathy Shagnaster (Abernathy Shagnaster's Wash and Wear Band). The group released a non-charting single, "Hobo" / "Got to Get You Back in My Life", on Attic Records in 1975. Shortly after, Emmett joined Levine and Moore after performing in Toronto with his band ACT III, and the newly formed trio adopted the name Triumph, giving their first concert together in 1975 at Simcoe High School.

Emmett's songwriting incorporated progressive rock and classical influences, and many early recordings featured instrumental classical guitar passages. Moore frequently provided lead vocals on heavier material, while Levine contributed production work on early releases. The band's early style received limited critical acclaim, with some reviewers describing the group in unflattering terms.

Triumph's debut album was released in Canada in 1976 under the title "Triumph" and later reissued as "In the Beginning". Their second album, "Rock & Roll Machine", was released in 1977 in Canada and later reconfigured for international release in 1978 by RCA Records, which combined material from earlier Canadian releases. The band toured extensively in North America during this period and performed at the Canada Jam Festival in 1978, which attracted a large audience.

The album "Just a Game" (1979) marked the band's first significant commercial success in the United States, driven by the single "Hold On". The follow-up single "Lay It on the Line" also received substantial radio airplay. Subsequent albums, including "Progressions of Power" (1980) and "Allied Forces" (1981), achieved higher chart positions and increased sales in both Canada and the United States. "Allied Forces" included "Magic Power" and "Fight the Good Fight", which became among the band's most recognised songs.

"Never Surrender" was released in 1982 in Canada and 1983 in the United States and continued the band's success, incorporating more socially and politically themed lyrics. The album produced several singles, including "All the Way", "A World of Fantasy", and "Never Surrender". Around this time, the band changed record labels from RCA Records to MCA Records, which later handled distribution of their earlier catalogue.

The album "Thunder Seven" was released in 1984 and included singles such as "Spellbound" and "Follow Your Heart". "Stages", a live album released in 1985, documented performances from previous tours and included new studio tracks. The band continued touring and received industry recognition during this period.

In 1986, Triumph released "The Sport of Kings", which marked a more commercial direction. The single "Somebody's Out There" became the band's highest-charting song on the Billboard Hot 100. In 1987, the album "Surveillance" was released, reflecting a mixture of stylistic approaches from the band members, though internal differences became more apparent. Emmett left the group in 1988, after which the remaining members continued with touring and released the compilation album "Classics" in 1989.

In 1992, Triumph reformed with guitarist Phil X and released "Edge of Excess" in 1993. Shortly after, the band effectively disbanded following the collapse of its record label. During the late 1990s and early 2000s, members managed the band's catalogue through their own label, TML Entertainment, releasing archival recordings and live material, including "Live at the US Festival" (2003), "A Night of Triumph" (2004), and the anthology "Livin' for the Weekend: Anthology" (2005).

Reunion activity began in the 2000s, with the classic lineup reuniting for performances in 2008 and later appearing again in 2019. The band was inducted into several halls of fame and honoured with a dedicated street naming in Mississauga. A documentary film, "Triumph: Rock & Roll Machine", premiered in 2021.

In 2025, the band performed a public reunion concert in Edmonton ahead of the Stanley Cup Final, followed by the announcement in 2025 of a planned North American tour beginning in 2026, marking their return to large-scale touring after several decades.

Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triumph_(band)

Studio albums
Triumph (1976, reissued on 1995 CD as In the Beginning)
Rock & Roll Machine (1977)
Just a Game (1979)
Progressions of Power (1980)
Allied Forces (1981)
Never Surrender (1982)
Thunder Seven (1984)
The Sport of Kings (1986)
Surveillance (1987)
Edge of Excess (1992)

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2. Triumph is a Scottish Christian rock band that released at least three albums and was later known as Triumph UK to distinguish it from the Canadian band of the same name. The band released a self-titled album, "Triumph", in 1986, followed by "Don't Look Back" in 1987 and "Cry Freedom" in 1989.

3. Triumph is a Brazilian black metal band formed in 1998 in São Paulo. The band released "Discord is Our Impulse, Anarchy is Our Revolution" in 1999, "Dies Irae" in 2000, "...Walking To The Triumph..." in 2000, "Dominium (The Torment To He)" in 2002, "The Beginning of Chaos" in 2003, and "Triumph..." in 2004.

4. Triumph is a eurobeat group that appears occasionally on the Super Eurobeat compilation series.

5. Triumph is a Danish band formed in Vanløse by two friends named Hjalmar and Niklas after attending a Slipknot concert in Copenhagen. The project began with experimental recordings using natural body sounds such as flatulence and burping. Later, Jonas and Johannes joined the group, forming a quartet that continued recording and releasing material. The group is known for songs such as "God Tur Til Færøerne", dedicated to Niklas, and "En Kæmpe Bunke Lort".

6. Triumph is a one-man black metal project from Reno, Nevada in the United States, created in 2020 by Evan Richardson, who is also associated with Ritual Genocide. The project released its first album, "Edict of Iron Ascendancy", on 30 December 2020.

Triumph Karaoke (MP3 Playback) files:

♫ Lay It on the Line
♫ Magic Power
♫ Fight the Good Fight

→ Show all Triumph Karaoke Files

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