Search - Triumph - Live at the Us Festival on DVD

A great performance and an awe-inspiring event.

George Dionne | Cape Cod, MA | 03/11/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"What's Good About It? The US Festival: Triumph was part of the best line-up ever to take a stage at the time (Quiet Riot, Motley Crue, Ozzy Osbourne, Judas Priest, Scorpions, and Van Halen). Get this; Triumph went on after the first four bands. On this DVD however, you only get Triumph. What a great show! A nearly flawless performance. If you're not familiar with them, they can be compared to Boston, REO Speedwagon, and Styx. Great melodic vocals that are split between drummer Gil Moore and guitarist Rik Emmett. Nine of Triumph's best songs (at the time) are performed here; "Allied Forces," "Never Surrender," "Rock and Roll Machine," and "Spellbound" to name a few. All songs are catchy and written in that `70s-`80s format: riff, verse, chorus, lead, and repeat. Triumph certainly don't look like rock stars, Mike Levine looks like a trucker, and the Rik and Gil look like guys you'd run into at your local bar (in the eighties). In between songs the band discusses the event and how tough it was for them to get there. Although they were known for their over-the-top live shows, this show was stripped down. They didn't even use their own equipment. The Extras: A 15 to 20-minute documentary about the band entitled Inside the Rock And Roll Machine gives you a behind the scenes look at how their shows are put together. Everything from lighting, pyro, smoke, and lightening techniques are explained. The whole thing is set to classic Triumph tracks. It's great to see the fans with the big hair and eighties fashions. They interview celebrities that are at the show to get their opinion. Ronnie James Dio chimes in, but why did Eugene Levy? Rik Emmett explains their songwriting process in his home studio as well. Love the technology. Two videos are included. "Spellbound," which has a story line to it, complete with an `80s character actor I'm sure you'll recognize, and "Follow Your Heart," which showcases a live performance. Gil Moore and Mike Levine reminisce about the performance in a 15-minute interview from 2003.Anything Bad? CD version of the show is sold separately. It has the same songs too. DVD is you're best bet. Bottom Line You take your chances with any "live" performance DVD (or CD). Triumph hits every note and lyric of their classic melodic rock songs (so you decide). The extras are decent, but nothing spectacular. Fun to see the old videos again."

A great piece of rock history.

P. Betts | Austin, Texas United States | 02/19/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This DVD features Triumph at the infamous "US Festival" in 1983. The line-up for that day was incredible, featuring other rock acts such as Motley Crue, Ozzy, Judas Priest, Scorpions, and Van Halen. Obviously, Triumph was not intimidated by the other big-name acts, delivering a smoking set of material played with depth and precision.
Triumph was touring their most recent release at the time, the fine "Never Surrender." My favorite Triumph album is the prior "Allied Forces," and several cuts from each make the performance. Also included are the Triumph classics "Lay It On The Line" and "Rock and Roll Machine." I saw this tour in Texas, also in 1983, and both were outstanding performances. The difference is with this DVD you are on the front row and the 5.1 sound is magnificent.
The included 80's videos and other various concert footage is a nice bonus, although, to me, it illustrates how Triumph got off the track of playing killer hard rock and venturing into commercial pop and ballads. I can't help but wonder if this was a main factor in the break-up of the band. Comments from Rik at the time have him sounding less than thrilled.
Also included are recent interviews with drummer/vocalist Gil Moore and bassist/keyboardist Mike Levine. Wish they could have gotten Rik Emmitt in there, too, for his overall perspective. Too bad there is much animosity between the two camps.
Overall this DVD is fantastic. For $16.99 here on Amazon, it's a no-question buy for fans of the band. I only wish it was longer. Maybe with all the great reviews from fans, a little more magic power will come through and a Triumph reunion might at least be discussed."

TRIUMPH HAS THE MAGIC POWER!!

The Critic | Windsor | 07/16/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This "Triumph" concert DVD set the standard for others to follow. Filmed at the US Festival in 1983 in broad daylight, it gives rock fans a glimpse of one of Canada's premier bands. The picture is clear and the 5.1 Dolby Digital and DTS sound are absolutely dynamic. Rik Emmett lights it up once again on guitar and shows why "Triumph" was one of Canada's super groups. Gil Moore's drumming is powerful and crisp and everything it should be. Mike Levine's bass is the glue that holds everything together. If you're a fan of "Triumph" then this concert DVD is a must have. If you want more awesome Triumph, go out and get "A Night of Triumph Live" complete with laser light show and spectacular lighting. The Rock n Roll machine lives on!



DVD Features Include:

-Three audio options: Remixed from the original masters in 5.1 DTS, 5.1 Dolby Digital & 2.0 Stereo

-2003 interview with Mike Levine & Gil Moore

-Bonus videos; spellbound & Follow Your Heart

-Inside the Rock and Roll Machine - A 40 minute rockumentary highlighting the explosive triumph arena rock show



SONG TRACK LIST:

*Allied Forces

*Lay it on the Line

*Never Surrender

*Magic Power

*A World of Fantasy

*Rock & Roll Machine

*When the Lights Go Down

*Fight the Good Fight





"

A BAND THAT SHOULD NOT BE FORGOTTEN ! ! !

Gregory C. Malone | Porterville, CA USA | 04/25/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A great preformance from a group long forgotten by the classic
rock stations here in the U.S.
A little disappionted at first because it was during the day and
was missing the classic Triumph stage light show,,,,,
but on another viewing I realized it was about the music.
And it is truely one of the best you'll see from any band of that
genre. Rik Emmett was laying riffs that made other guitar players
famous well after he came along.
I got the new DVD,,,, Night of Triumph Live.
Alot of overdubs and camera shots of the crowd that it doesn't
have the same vibe as being as much a " LIVE " video like
the U. S. Festival.
Rik Emmett is alive and well and has recent releases available
through the Canadian market. He's doing alot of nice jazz stuff
now which shows his love of music and not just going for one
certain style or sound."