SURVEILLANCE

While this is not the typical Triumph album, not many party rockers here, this does find the band venturing into more of a progressive-metal mode here. Weightier subject matter as well as layered instruments and vocals give this album a depth this reviewer did not find again until Dream Theater's excellent Images and Words album. Do not get me wrong, Triumph is no Dream Theater; however, I would put the 1989 version of Rik Emmett up against anybody.

The songs here are strong, mature and compelling. The first 6 songs are the most "prog-like" in their approach and carry on a theme of sorts. All of them feature driving guitar and percussion as well catchy hook filled chorus'. The album then slows down on the excellent "Let the Light". This song features a multi-tracked vocal part that needs to be heard to be believed. That Rik Emmett sure can sing. The album then discards the the prog leanings and flat out jams. The rest of the album is made up of crunchy rythms, wailing leads, mid-tempo rockers and the signature Triumph instrumental.

While listeners expecting Allied Forces redux may be dissapointing, I find Rik's farewell album to be my favorite of all the Triumph records. It is a mature rock album, too bad internal strife and label pressure broke the band up, because I would have loved to hear what they could have done to follow this one up.