“I also find “Storming the Walls” INGENIOUSLY made; meaning that I think it didn’t only come out after a lot of work and inspiration but also by pure musical intelligence.
Yes, that sets the bar REALLY high for TRIUMPHER’s sophomore album but we can only wait and see them return the next year as promised; hopefully triumphant once again!”
That’s how I concluded my review of TRIUMPHER’s debut album.
And here we are, almost a year later, with “Spirit Invictus” already causing a sensation in the metal scene even before its official release!
The band faced a race against time and two lineup changes to bring out their sophomore album. Mario Ñ Peters replaced Apostolos Papadimitriou on guitars, and Agis Tzoukopoulos took over from John “Maelstrom” Votsis on drums. Despite these challenges, Christopher Tsakiropoulos (guitars), Mars Triumph (vocals), and Stelios Zoumis (bass) accomplished the unthinkable – returning with their second album just eighteen months after their debut’s release, all while performing at several gigs and appearing at the Up The Hammers and Keep It True Rising festivals.
A remarkable feat in itself!
The question is, have they managed to create another phenomenal album as remarkable and imposing as their debut?
How good is “Spirit Invictus”, really?
Is it better than “Storming the Walls”? Or worse?
Well, I can confidently say it’s DIFFERENT!
And, personally, yes, it’s EVEN BETTER than their debut!
Now, I know many will strongly disagree, but first, it’s all subjective – this is just my opinion, and no one needs to agree with it. Second, I say it’s better because it’s more mature. Perhaps less intuitive and audacious, but more refined and thoughtfully crafted; it’s a solidly cohesive album, though no less intricate than its predecessor. Given that it bears the burden of living up to the debut’s huge success, I insist that “Spirit Invictus” is a greater album overall.
Antonis Vailas (aka Mars Triumph) describes it this way:
“‘Spirit Invictus’ is, for me, the capstone of TRIUMPHER’s philosophy. It is a deeply personal album, as we had to overcome many challenges to create a work worthy of ‘Storming the Walls’ within a year or less. Our goal was not to repeat ourselves but to create a new chapter, even stronger than the previous one.”
I wholeheartedly agree. “Spirit Invictus” cements the band as a true force in epic metal, pushing them to new heights.
Many elements of TRIUMPHER‘s sound are still present, but the band has developed a more distinct character. I admit I was skeptical when I first heard the single “Arrival of the Avenger” a month ago. It reminded me too much of MANOWAR – too simple, too straightforward. Then, just a few days ago, the “Spirit Invictus” lyric video was released. This song is much richer, more intricate, yet still a fast, somewhat typical epic/power composition that still pays homage to MANOWAR, much like VALIDOR, MEGATON SWORD, ETERNAL CHAMPION, and many others have done. Worthy bands, mind you, and in any case, I must give credit where it’s due: the twin guitar work is absolutely wonderful!
It was then that I started to think —hope, rather— that these tracks serve primarily as part of a promotional strategy. They’re a direct, powerful way for the band and the label to reconnect with fans, while deeper, more complex songs MUST be included on the album.
Thankfully, they are!
Songs like “Alexander” and “Hall of a Thousand Storms” REALLY make the difference, showcasing TRIUMPHER’s uncompromising, frantic yet dramatic brand of epic metal. But let’s take this journey from the beginning…
“Overture to Elysian” is a fitting intro, setting the tone for the album. “Arrival of the Avenger”, as mentioned earlier, struck me as too typical, yet there’s no doubt it’s a track that will resonate with epic metal fans.
Next comes “Athena (1st Chapter)”, a galloping battle hymn that raises the bar for songwriting and highlights the album’s strength. This is where I first witnessed TRIUMPHER’s new essence—less blackened but still shadowy, less raw but still unpolished, as commanding and fearless as ever! And the song “Spirit Invictus” takes on a whole new dimension when heard after it. It sounds more striking, stronger, majestic!
So, don’t make the same mistake I did – and I’m speaking mainly to those who weren’t impressed by the first two singles, as I wasn’t. I strongly suggest waiting and listening to the entire album in one sitting. It was meant to be experienced this way, and this is how it reveals all its glory and beauty, how it unfolds its true self as an absolute tour de force!
Even the most skeptical listener will be won over by “Alexander” – dark, menacing, intricate, a track full of diversity and gloom, with excellent arrangement and development. “Shores of Marathon” is a spine-chilling elegy born of eternal heroic grandeur, featuring one of the best guitar solos on the album, in my opinion.
Then it’s time for “Triumpher” – steady, unstoppable, with memorable riffs and a heavy, pounding rhythm. This track also serves as a true tribute to Eric Adams’ vocal legacy, brilliantly delivered by Mars Triumph.
Finally, the album closes with “Hall of a Thousand Storms”, my personal favorite track. This song moves slightly away from the US sword-and-sorcery metal of MANOWAR and VIRGIN STEELE, venturing into the Scandinavian epicness reminiscent of BATHORY. It’s a most welcome blend, with exceptional performances from all band members, though I must say I particularly enjoyed Stelios Zoumis’ playfulness!
In conclusion, I believe TRIUMPHER has truly done it—they HAVE returned triumphant once again!
“Spirit Invictus” will be released on October 25th by No Remorse Records, on both CD and LP.
Mamercus
Check the discussion about the album in our forum pages.
You can pre order both CD and LP here.
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TRIUMPHER pursue their glorious path to Epic Metal victory with an unstoppable momentum.
Last year’s debut album ‘’Storming The Walls’’, exploded like a sudden nuclear blast out of the blue, offering an amazing album, that was considered by many die-hard epic heavy metal fans, actually the best Epic Metal album in the world for 2023.
Their sophomore album starts with the track ‘’Overture to Elysian’’ which is a short prologue of ancient dark harmony, just like the calm before the storm.
So, the next song, that is storming violently, in a furious and forceful manner, is the ‘’Arrival Of The Avenger’’. The song draws its lyrical theme from Homer’s ancient Hellenic epic poem Odyssey and the return of Ulysses (Odysseus) in his kingdom after a 20-year wandering, that followed the victory of the campaign in Iliad, with his famous and genius military deceit that involved the Trojan Horse innovation. Now, Odysseus has returned and takes revenge on the usurpers of his throne and his beloved wife Penelope.
It is a very fast and powerful song, marching with the dynamic vocals of Mars Triumph that totally blew my mind away and a blasting rhythm, accompanied by marvelous guitar riffs and excellent lyrics. Surely, it brings in mind MANOWAR as a direct influence, which is really great but I need to highlight that TRIUMPHER, although they are influenced by the aforementioned legendary band, they are not just copying or imitating them. They have, as composers, so many other different influences from black metal or thrash metal and thus they are forging their own musical identity.
Our epic journey continues with ‘’Athena (1st Chapter)’’, a more mid-tempo song, devoted to the ancient goddess, that also involves tons of energy and power, with a beautiful head banging anthemic chorus. In this point, I need to stress out the brilliant guitar work and musicianship by Christopher Tsakiropoulos and Mario Ñ Peters (Marios Petropoulos).
Mario Ñ Peters was not a band member in the debut album but since he has joined forces with TRIUMPHER, that makes him a wonderful and invaluable addition to the band. Let’s not forget that he is also the guitarist of the Greek progressive speed / power metal SACRAL RAGE, a band that has delivered two of the best metal albums in the Hellenic metal scene, that every meticulous metal listener, should definitely check them out.
Next comes the fantastic title track ‘’Spirit Invictus’’. That song gives me the ‘’goose bumps’’ every time I listen to it.
Its galloping march feels me with enthusiasm and passion. The song involves some fast folk underlying musical passages, that reminded me the anthemic folk tunes of the band ENSIFERUM. An absolute masterpiece of epicness and soaring metal music. Fantastic tune, with blistering riffing and astonishing solos, pounding drumming by Agis Tzoukopoulos and heavenly bass by Stelios Zoumis.
It is dealing with the heroic sacrifice of the 300 Spartan Warriors and King Leonidas, defending the Gates of Fire, Thermopylae, after saying the famous ‘’Molon Lave’’ (‘’Come and get it’’, when they were offered to surrender, in order to have their lives spared) to countless thousands of soldiers of Persian Invaders and the asian tyrant Xerxes.
‘’Alexander’’ is a track that has a dark Black Metal vibe, with the characteristic tuning of the guitars in the beginning, that evolves in a dithyrambic elegy of an impressive composition, combining the two genres, epic metal and black metal, while ‘’Shores of Marathon’’ has the most doom-metal character in the album.
‘’Triumpher’’ and ‘’Hall Of Thousand Storms’’ are songs which reminded me of the epic era of BATHORY. The songs again have so many musical elements and dimensions that need to be explored and discovered, that made this quest a charming listening experience.
I believe, that this album is the ‘’step-up’’ for TRIUMPHER, that will make them gain vast amount of popularity and become even more widely known in the Epic Metal scene worldwide. It is more solid and mature than its predecessor, their great debut album, with dazzling musicianship and songwriting.
The album ‘’Spirit Invictus’’ is monumental. It will be without exaggeration, maybe the best Epic Metal album in the world for 2024 and one of the best metal albums of the Hellenic scene. The delightful cover art is delivered by the vocalist Mars Triumph, who apart from being a great singer, has also other artistic talents as well.
Needless to say, that it is a must buy for all metallers and especially for Epic Metallers and MANOWARriors that are going to adore it.
Prepare yourselves. TRIUMPHER have their swords and spears to be shining bright, their black hearts strong and eager, ready to conquer every battlefield that lies ahead.
Hail, TRIUMPHER!!
‘’Spirit Invictus’’ will be released on the 25th of October 2024 by No Remorse Records and will be available on LP, CD and Digital format.
Bersekeros
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Check the discussion about the album in our forum pages.
