This was the first Triumph album that did not feature original guitarist and vocalist Rik Emmett. After more than a decade of major success in native Canada and the US. Emmett left Triumph in 1988.
Written by: Dangerzone
ARTIST: Triumph
ALBUM: Edge Of Excess
LABEL: Virgin
SERIAL: TRCD-00120
YEAR: 1992
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Canada
LINEUP: Gil Moore – vocals, drums * Phil X – guitars * Mike Levine – bass, keyboards
TRACK LISTING: 01 Child Of The City * 02 Troublemaker * 03 It’s Over * 04 Edge Of Excess * 05 Turn My Back On Love * 06 Riding High Again * 07 Black Sheep * 08 Boys Nite Out * 09 Somewhere Tonight * 10 Love In A Minute
WEBLINKS: Site Link
Background
This was the first Triumph album that did not feature original guitarist and vocalist Rik Emmett. After more than a decade of major success in native Canada and the US. Emmett left Triumph in 1988, citing the old musical differences excuse as the reason. Triumph had found more success as a melodic rock outfit in that decade, through albums like 1986’s ‘Sport Of Kings’ instead of the hard rock might of late 70’s affairs such as ‘Rock ‘N’ Roll Machine’.
Without Emmett many assumed Triumph were done for, but in 1992, they resurfaced with new guitarist Phil X (real surname Xenides). X was a fellow Canadian and had toured with Aldo Nova and Frozen Ghost, and added some youth to the band. Initially John Sykes was the preferred replacement, but not surprisingly, that did not work out. Moore assumed lead vocals for the album, and happily Emmett was not missed that much, Triumph retaining their melodic brand of hard rock with ease.
The Songs
With song titles as ‘Ridin’ High Again’, ‘Black Sheep’ and ‘Boys Nite Out’, this on paper resembles a hard rock dream. Much of the material still favors the 80’s sound, with no nods to anything that was happening in 1992. ‘Child Of The City’ proves the bands trademark sound was intact, a combination of stunning musicianship and hard hitting hooks.
I prefer the quicker ‘Troublemaker’ (featured on the Hellraiser 3 soundtrack), with its sudden bursts of X’s metal riffs and an in synch rhythm section. It comes a bit too close to Black Sabbath‘s ‘Law Maker’, similar titles, same fast structure, but the melody is thicker here.
‘It’s Over’ is a huge power ballad straight from 1987, a potential hit any other decade. The mentioned trio in the opening line are what you would expect, brazen anthems, with rebellious lyrics often heard, like ‘Joey left when he was just 16, bottle ‘o’ Jack, Joey got two years in the State Penn’, fantastic traditional rock.
A ballad must follow, and ‘Somewhere Tonight’ is it, but thankfully the raunch of ‘Love In A Minute’ concludes Triumph’s recording career, going out in style with power and something about being ‘a back door man’ (that sounds rather dodgy dont’cha think? Ed).
In Summary
Unexpectedly the fans approved of the new Triumph, and the album won Hard Rock album of the year at Canada’s Juno Awards in 1993. The album may have looked like a cliche; judging by the lyrics and titles, but to the contrary, it was representative of genuine hard rock that had decreased rapidly by 1992. Despite the acclaim, the album only sold in Canada, US audiences having forgotten Triumph some time back.
Eventually Moore and Levine bowed out, although unsuccessfully trying to persuade Emmett back for their 25th anniversary in the 1996/97 period. They could have gone out on a lot worse note than ‘Edge Of Excess’ though, it’s well worth any hard rock fans time.
Triumph on Video
Click to go to YTM album page.
