A little bit about TRIUMPH.

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This Canadian power-trio formed in Toronto during 1975.  The band share many similarities to Rush other than geographical location, as they are all highly accomplished musicians who have experimented with many facets of high-tech melodic rock.  Comprising Rik Emmet (guitar/vocals), Gil Moore (drums) and Mike Levine (bass/keyboards), they nevertheless follow a rockier road than their fellow countrymen.  Interest built slowly, but the band finally made a breakthrough with PROGRESSIONS OF POWER, their fourth album, released in 1980. ALLIED FORCES and NEVER SURRENDER saw the pinnacle of their success, with both albums attaining gold status in the USA.  Their music is characterized by Emmet's high-pitched vocals and intricate guitar work, supplemented by keyboard fills and a thunderous rhythm section.  THUNDER SEVEN, a CD-only release was a disjointed collection, while the live album that followed suffered from a wooden sound and flat production.  In live settings the band frequently used Rick Santers as an extra guitarist to overcome the limitations of a three-man line-up.  Again like Rush, their concerts were renowned for their sophisticated special effects rather than the actual music, and featured every conceivable pyrotechnic device available, plus the ultimate in computerised, laser-lighting rigs.  THE SPORT OF KINGS saw the band move in a blatantly commercial direction, but SURVEILLANCE marked a return to their roots: an aggressive and well-produced hard rock album.  Emmett left the band in 1988 and was replaced by guitarist Phil Xenides.  The vocals were taken over by Moore, but much of the group's character left with Emmett.  "