LIVE AT THE US FESTIVAL

Not a prog band or a prog concert, so this simply reviews this as a hard rock act.

The third concert I ever saw was in 1980 and was a twin-bill featuring UFO and Triumph. Ever since, I have been an avid fan of both bands. And I've never really understood why Triumph has always been considered a C (or even D-) list band. For the late 70's and early 80's they produced some of the best melodic hard-rock of the era. Yeah, the vocals were weak, and they became somewhat predictable, but Rik Emmett simply kicks butt on guitar and many of the songs were great.

So I was very happy when we were finally able to get a live DVD of the band...ANY live DVD. Better yet, it captures the band (almost) in their heyday. For those unfamiliar, the Us Festival, though forgotten by most now, was a MAJOR event when it occurred. A 3-day festival that drew something like 2.5 million people....day two is infamous as it featured one of the greatest heavy metal lineups ever assembled: Quiet Riot, Motley Crue, Ozzy Osbourne, Judas Priest, Triumph, Scorpions and Van Halen (all arguably at the zenith of their popularity).

So...what do we get. Well, it's a standard Triumph show without the usual lightshow and lasers. Basically, it's an excuse to watch Rik Emmett demonstrate his considerable guitar chops. There's live renditions of hits like Magic Power, Lay It On The Line, A World of Fantasy and Never Surrender. There is of course Rik's extended solo during Rock & Roll Machine. I'm not usually a fan of 10 minute guitar solos but Emmett covers such wide ground and uses so many different styles of playing that it's an enjoyable musical piece. Too bad it's marred by the bizarre decision to cut away to an interview in the middle of his solo.

In general, the camera work and editing is pretty good for something almost 30 years old. Triumph never sounded great in concert but you can hear the instruments well. The short duration (barely an hour) is another negative as the band barely touches on its extensive catalog.

I have to comment on the crowd....which is unarguably the most embarrassing rock audience I've ever witnessed. Bad haircuts, bad clothes, unrelentingly white....and the worst dancers in the history of mankind (who dances to heavy metal anyway?). It reminds me why I was so "anti-style" when I was a teen in 1983. What's worse, is this DVD shows more crowd shots than just about any other...it's really hysterical.

Anyway, if you enjoy Triumph, this is a must-have..and if you don't it has no interest.

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