Band:	Triumpher
Album:	Storming The Walls
Style:	Epic heavy metal, Power metal
Release date:	March 20, 2023
A review by:	nikarg

01. Journey/Europa Victrix
02. The Thunderer
03. Storming The Walls
04. Mediterranean Wrath
05. I Wake The Dragon (Promachos)
06. Esoteric Church Of Dagon
07. Divus De Mortuus
08. Epitaphios
09. The Tomb
10. The Blazing Circle

Greece has made an impact on the genre of epic power metal in the last few years, with the emergence of bands like Warrior Path, Sacred Outcry, and Steel Arctus (to name a few). Triumpher are now joining this list of talented acts, in a scene that seems to be taking the metal world by storm.

Triumpher were formed in 2019 from the ashes of Saboter, which was a Judas Priest-loving band on their first album, Mankind Is Damned, and an Iced Earth-loving band on the second one, Architects Of Evil. Vocalist, bassist, main composer, and lyricist Antonis Vailas (aka Mars Triumph) and guitarist Christopher Tsakiroulos both created Triumpher, a band that kind of follows the path of Saboter’s Architects Of Evil, but in a darker, and more epic power metal kind of way.

To address the elephant in the room, this sounds a lot like Manowar. The main reason is Mars Triumph’s vocals that sound so much as if Eric Adams is singing that Adams himself would be confused if he listened to the album. This is not a reproach, it’s a compliment. In fact, I am amazed how he can do this and be so great at it, because on the Saboter albums he sounded very much like a mix of Rob Halford and Matt Barlow, and he was very good on them too.

But let’s go back to Triumpher and their music, which itself is also reminiscent of ‘80s Manowar, or of mid- to end-‘90s Virgin Steele (when they were very successfully building upon Manowar's foundation). However, Storming The Walls is way darker and, consequently, way less cheesy than Manowar. This can be initially assumed from the cover artwork (also made by Mars Triumph), and then verified when listening to the actual music. The music is epic power metal alright, but laced with quite a bit of doom metal, speed metal, as well as parts that are derived from extreme styles, such as black metal. In this sense, along with Hail To England and Invictus, there are influences from albums like Nightfall, Never, Neverland, and Nemesis Divina. Mind you, Mars Triumph was also the bass player of the black metal act Drakon Ho Megas, until recently, and drummer, John Votsis (aka Maelstrom), has played in countless black and extreme metal acts.

The recording of Storming The Walls is just the right dose of pounding, with the album having been mixed and mastered by George Emmanuel (Lucifer's Child, ex-Rotting Christ, ex-Necromantia). The vocals are at the right spot, the guitar leads and solos are emphasized as they should be, the drums are thunderous and full-sounding, and the bass is distinguishable. Performances are flawless all around.

Triumpher’s Storming The Walls is power metal that makes you feel powerful (or triumphant, if you will), and the right way forward after Saboter. What this debut may lack in originality, it’s more than made up for with its spirit, passion, and songwriting quality. The album is killer from start to finish, but it is the final track that I recommend you listen to first; “The Blazing Circle” is Triumpher’s “Battle Hymn”.

"Ride under the light of the morning star
Stab with a blade in their hearts
Blow the winds of revenge
The gods are favouring the brave"