Back in 1976, I saw Triumvirat open for ELO on July 4th. The venue was Convention Hall in Asbury Park NJ. which was on the boardwalk. After the show there were fireworks. The guys from Triumvirat were hanging out watching the fireworks when we approached the band to tell them how much we enjoyed their set. My buddy mentioned how he was an ELP fan and that Triumvirat reminded him of that sound. Jurgen Fritz responded "We don't sound like ELP....they sound like us" !
I was at that show. Did the power go out in the building just as they started to play? I remember thinking how sad that was. The crowd started to get very impatient & I thought maybe they wouldn't even get to play. I wanted so much to hear their set because I already heard of them & wanted so much to hear them live. They eventually got to play & IMO crushed it. (I didn't remember that it was July 4th)
Great band from my youth. “Illusions on a Double Dimple “ is stone cold prog masterpiece. The legendary Philadelphia DJ Ed Sciaky used to play cuts from Illusions on WMMR all the time back in the wonderful seventies. Lot’s of great memories with this band from that era.
“Hands off, Mister Ten Percent! We've got a gig tonight! Ha!” Top two albums are both prog classics. For me “Illusions” is #1. Been listening to that and “Spartacus” for 45 years! Thanks fir this ranking Pete, and bringing them to the attention of your viewers!
For me Old Loves Die Hard is one the best prog albums ever. My list: 1 - Old Loves Die Hard 2- Spartacus 3- Illusions on a Double Dimple 4- Pompeii 5- Mediterranean Tales 6- A la Carte 7- Russian Roulette
Thank you for covering this phenomenal band! I love Triumvirat- my personal favorite album is Spartacus. I have always considered them a more accessible version of ELP, like "ELP Lite." Thank you as always, Pete!
Probably mentioned elsewhere but Hans Bathell wrote all the lyrics of the earlier albums, and Helmut Kollen sang.. He spoke little English at the time so he was forced to sing the lyrics phonetically, on both Spartacus and Illusions.. He left the band after Spartacus and died tragically two years later
Thank you for introducing me to this band. I discovered them from another video of yours and went out and picked up Spartacus the same day. As soon as I got it home I gave it a listen and realized it was right up my alley, so went and bought the other two top albums from the band. As a life-long fan of metal and progressive metal and its various aggressive sub-genres, I've never dabbled in rock or prog-rock anywhere beyond Pink Floyd's work. But I'm very much looking forward to digging into the prog rock genre as I try to expand my tastes.
Pete....you are my HERO!! Can't believe I am watching this! What a great band.....The March to the Eternal City was regularly played back in the day on the Greg Stone show, "Stone Trek" on 98.5 KOME in San Jose. Thanks for keeping this great music alive....
The reason the classic lineup didn't stay together was pretty tragic. They had done some tracks in the studio, and bassist/vocalist Helmut Kollen took a cassette home with him. He parked in his garage and continued listening, leaving the car running. We all know what happens when you sit in a running car in a garage. Very sad.
Thanks for doing a Triumvirat ranking! I'd put Old love dies hard before Mediterranian but the top two is pretty obvious. Really fun to listen to all of your explanations and descriptions, thanks again!
It’s great to see some recognition for Triumvirat . I heard them on the local FM station in the 70’s .. I’m pretty much in agreement with your ranking , although my favourite is Illusions . In my view , they’re not on the same level as ELP , but they’re a very talented band . It’s great that you’re giving exposure to these lesser known groups . Thanks to you , I have become a big fan of Agitation Free . I look forward to you educating me on more quality music . Many thanks !!
Since ELP is one of the bands I grew up with, I fell in love with this band almost immediately. Let's pretend they stopped after Pompeii. Lol My ranking: 1. Illusions On A Double Dimple 2. Spartacus 3. Old Loves Die Hard 4. Pompeii 5. Mediterranean Tales
Thank you for taking notice of a great band that unfortunately sold out on their last 2 albums to pay the bills but talented none the less. Here is my list: 1. Illusions Of A Double Dimple (Masterpiece of Keyboard Prog Rock) 2. Spartacus ( Another Epic Keyboard Tour De Force) 3. Mediterranean Tales (Excellent Debut) 4. Old Love Dies Hard ( A new singer and he adds more melody to the pieces and its quite Excellent) 5. Pompeii ( A really good album that was consistently good but a little bit letdown compared to the previous 3 albums) 6. A La Carte ( A Pop Rock album that has a couple of catchy tracks but rest is kind of weak) 7. Russian Roulette ( A mixed bag that's a mess and Russian Roulette describes this album perfectly a risk of life or death)
Great review, thanks. Wonder why a few public presentations... "Mine is the road to nowhere no sign, no light to guide me who could describe my anger when I was sacked last Friday"
I gotta say, I’m really impressed at how well you know this band. You’ve definitely summed up each one of these albums to a T. Making sure to give credit to the musicians along the way. Bravo, and well done. Also, I think your ranking is spot on!
I was an early fan of Triumvirat and remain so today. But I never ever heard anybody compare them to ELP. They were, to me, nothing like them. And Jürgen Fritz (pronounced Yergen) was in a class of his own. Additionally, the "changes" you bemoan were actually the result of the death of bassist, Helmut Köllen in 1977 and the return of original bassist, Dick Frangenburg.
Wow! I thought I was the last living person who still listens to Triumvirat. Your worst to best list matches my own. Spartacus and IOADD are the two I always go back to. Every prog fan should give both a listen. Thanks for this. I enjoyed hearing your breakdown of each album.
Hey Pete, I'm a big Triumvirat fan. Spot-on with the ranking...well, almost. I gotta put "illusions On A Double Dimple as my #1 and "Spartacus" as my #2. Although, really they are a tie. "Old Loves Die Hard" was the first record I bought by them. Comes in a solid #3. The pop-ish songs are good. But the other tunes are REALLY good. And you're right, Barry's vocals helped solidify the sound on that album. Still listen to all 3 regularly.
I was given a bunch of vinyls two years ago and "Spartacus" was in that lot. Just got a record player today and spun it. I LOVE this album to death now. Such good music.
Spartacus has to be one of the first albums I bought when I lived in Germany back in the 70s bought it in a downtown Schweinfurt Record Shop guess I'm going to have to buy it again Thanks for the Memories
"Illusions on a Double Dimple" for some reason was played on "underground" FM radio in Houston when I was a teenager. Probably their best. I bought that, then "Spartacus", and maybe "Old Habits Die Hard" but they really didn't do much for me...like Pete says..poor man's ELP.
Hello Again from Greece My top albums of Triumvirat 1. Illusions on a double Dimple 2. Mediterranean tales 3. Spartacus 4. Old love dies hard 5. Pompei
Great show! My ranking lines up exactly with yours, Pete. Illusions was a KSHE Classic in St. Louis. Spartacus is a great concept album. Pompeii had great potential.
Thanks to your show...I've gotten complete catalogues of many killer bands for my collection...among them was this band...Triumvirat are a great band...many thanks Pete!
Spartacus was a revelation in its day. Fritz stood up close to Emerson on that one without the absolute genius and excesses of Emerson, he had the sound that just worked. I think March to the Eternal City was my favorite on that one.
LOVE TRIUMVIRAT! Especially Double Dimple and Sparticus. I like those albums better than than ELP because their lyrics and song structures are more structured and less wanky! But they really sucked at the end there. Kind of sad, because they were so good!
@@seaoftranquilityprog oh...ok...sorry. i'll try again...Great show Pete, keep up the great work, triumvial are not my cup of tea but I enjoyed the show. I hope that's better!? 👍
Wow you got to Triumvirat !! Fantastic My first exposure to this band was by my older Brothers friend Denny who was a Guitarist in one of many Local bands my Brother George (Bassist) was in with him. Mediterranean Tales, Loved the Cover art and the music, Yup very ELP-like, great stuff and they often put their own twist on Classical passages !! Also many band member changes !! So Med.Tales is a special one for me but like Genesis classic albums they are all so close like 9.9/9.8/9.7 well you get my meaning ! : D 1, Mediterranean Tales 2, Illusions On A Double Dimple 3, Spartacus 4, Old Loves Die Hard ( Last cover with our White mouse friend ! Lol ) 5, Pompeii ( Ahh okay but many changes !! ) The first three are their Best by far !!
Thanks Pete, you got it right yet again. Talking about European prog bands when I first got into Triumvirat in investigating them on the interweb of all things I started to come across a number of Eastern European bands and in particular East German (DDR) bands - or Ostrock as its sometimes termed. Large varierty of styles, and amazing to hear what groups both restricted by the regimes they lived in and the availability of instruments came up with. Prog wise probably the best of them is early Stern Combo Meissen who transformed into a more AOR ish hard rock band after guitarist Uwe Hassbecker (who chanelled his best sub Gary Moore alike isms and then went on to join another DDR band Silly) and singer IC Falkenberg joined - though more recently they've gone back towards their proggier roots with Manuel Schmid (of German prog band Cyril) . Well worth checking out. And from Hungary as well as Solaris there's the excellent Omega who've just released what may be their farewell album, Testamentum (their long time keyboardist and bassist have sadly recently passed away)which is pretty good. For whatever reason five or six years back I spent some time getting hold of all sorts of stuff from Eastern European bands some really good some not so, however if you've not heard anything from the old Eastern block those I've mentioned along with the likes of Collegium Musicum for Slovenia; SBB from Poland; Electra, Lift, Puhdys, Karat and City from East Germany have made some good (and some not so good) music - a bit like Triumvrat in some ways.
Triumvirat was awesome! My brother bought the Spartacus album, didn't like it so he gave it to me and I really loved it. Then I bought "Illusions on a Double Dimple" then bought "Mediterranean Oceans"... Again both great albums. And then "Old Loves Die Hard" with their biggest radio hit "I Believe" which, unfortunately, would be their last album. But then like a year later they reformed under the name of "New Triumvirat" and released two more album, "Pompeil" then the album "A la Carte" which would be the last album I knew they did. Shame they disappeared and I never saw anything by them. They always had sang in English I stead of German. They got into auto racing when they left music....shame. They were literally insulted by critiques of copying ELP, again, a shame because they were a really awesome band! Good job discussing them!
For my money, as far as German Prog Bands go, I think I will stick with Eloy. The catalog is rock solid, their concepts are more interesting and they still seem to be going strong. Thanks Mr. Pardo for another excellent video.
@@davekummer6587 I need Eloy on vinyl period. Mine are all on compact disc. And of course I have less than half the catalog, as they can be tough to find in the United Sates. Mind you I’m not a collector so it’s not like I’m out there hunting diligently. It’s mostly when I hop on Amazon , and have them in mind as far as an album purchase. If I’ve been in the mood for Priest or Ozzy, I’ll probably be looking for those bands music n merch.
I have all of these seven albums, and I fully agree with your list. For so many years they were my favorite band of all times. A genuine prog-synphonic rock band (I'm considering the 5 top albums). By the way, I disagree when you connect them to ELP. For me the German prog-symphonic rock bands are totally different from the English or American ones. The German style is unique...
Mediterranean Tales (Across the Waters) is a great album! Another great European prog rock band is Premiata Forneria Marconi, which you’ve mentioned and referenced numerous times for example the Mellatron video. Would you ever rank their albums?
Nice analysis at the end of your presentation about the prog evolution (or de-evolution) at the beginning of the 80’s when some of these bands tried to attract a larger audience. The same thing was experienced by the jazz-rock and fusion bands trying to put a disco feel at the end of the 70’s.
I love Triumvirat. I wonder if the record company will ever reissue their vinyl records ❤. I am looking forward to it 🎉. If someone knows something about it let me know please
I always pronounced the name Triumvi-RAT, seeing as they had a rat on most of the album covers. Spartacus was my intro to these guys. Also loved Illusions and OLDH. I used to air keyboard to this stuff
Another splendid review ...One suggestion for worst to best serial...maybe some Black Metal bands like Burzum or if not 15 best Black Metal albums...I think that there are a lot of subscribers interested in Black Metal....or maybe best NWOBHM ...
Very pleasant suprise to see Triumvirat's albums ranked! Been a fan of most of their albums since the time of their initial release. Own all of them on vinyl - and the only reason I own "Russian Roulette" is that I found a used copy for sale for $1 at the local library years back. Terrible album and even worse album cover! My ranking of their albums is basically the same as yours, Pete, but I would swap the positions of 'Mediterranean Tales' and 'Old Loves Die Hard'. Favorite song by them is "March To The Eternal City from 'Spartacus'.
I remember I used to hear their song "School Of Instant Pain" on SIRIUS radio back in the late 2000's and was blown away by it, definitely something I can picture ELP doing.
In the distant mists of 1975, I was at my band/concerts attendance peak. I entered a competition in the UK weekly music publication, Sounds, the prize was two tickets to Grand Funk at Wembley arena and low and behold probably the only competition I've ever won. I asked a mate, Steve, if he would like the other ticket which he accepted and we went to Wembley to see Grand Funk who were supported by Triumvirat - a quick google confirms that this was the 18th April 1975. It was a great night with the prog sounds of Triumvirat and the heavy rock of Grand Funk. However this story had a real upside. I already had tickets for the Led Zep. 1st night at Earls Court in London just under a month later. Between the GF gig and the 1st night of Led Zep, Steve, who had tickets for the last night at Earls Court and was going with his sister, told me that his sister couldn't go, and in return for the freebee to GF & Triumvirat would I like first dibs on the spare ticket for the last night which I accepted without hesitation. So Triumvirat will always remain in my memory for that alone. By the way Steve had got lucky with his LZ tickets we were in the fourth row. I haven't seen Steve since the 1970's but if by any chance he looks in here I hope he remembers. But I will see if I can locate the first few albums now I have been given a nudge.
1) Spartacus 2) Illusions on a Double Dimple 3) Mediterranean Tales (Across the Waters) 4) Old Loves Die Hard 5) Pompeii (The New Triumvirat LP) 6) A la Carte 7) Russian Roulette
My dad was a big fan of Spartacus and that album cover was stuck in my head for years. I really grew up on it on vinyl. Year after year was searching for what band it was to no luck. Monkey in lightbulb gives you nothing! LOL Eventually found it and we've both been enjoying it ever since!
You really should cover a band by the name of "Black Bonzo". Swedish prog band. Extremely well rounded band with all around excellent qualities. Only released 3 albums, but they are all solid. Anyway, thanks for this vid Pete. My dad turned me on to Triumvirat and they are awesome. "Illusion on a Double Dimple" is a great album.
What great timing. I had just listened to Illusions on a Double Dimple (my favourite) thinking what a great album it is. I agree with your top 3, just different order. I actually prefer the vocals pre Barry Palmer as I find his voice grates a bit after a while. The comparisons with ELP are completely valid but although I was a HUGE fan, they had a tendency to do a lot of cover versions and "ditties" (Jeremy Bender, Benny the Bouncer etc) while Spartacus & Double Dimple have consistent quality material start to finish. Thanks for doing it. Passing comment on a different thread, did Refugee (effectively the Nice with Patrick Moraz) or The Law (Paul Rodgers) feature in your One Album Wonders?
Very honest review Pete. Always wanted to know what these guys were like, mostly from the Barry Palmer angle as he sang on Crises and Discovery by Mike Oldfield (ranking the albums???). Thanks!
Spartacus and Illusions are definitely their best albums.They were a great band and a lot of good stuff they produced over the years.Prefer them to ELP.
You nailed this one, agree 100%. I first heard Illusions on a cool radio station we had back then, as a huge ELP fan, it blew me away. Then came Spartacus, and we're off to the races. Or not, digging into the rest of the catalogue was sorely disappointing
When I discovered this band in the 70s , I first heard Spartacus and when I lived in Boston for 2 and half years I work as a volunteer usher and got see them and love their show but the audience didn't like them during their first five songs , and this was at the orphine theater 1975 .I believe the band they back up was gentle giant .but. still the band was good , even though boston did not like them at that time.
Round about 1975, when I was 15, I swapped my vinyl copy of Elton John's 'Captain Fantastic' for a vinyl copy of Triumvirat's 'Illusions on a Double Dimple' and a cassette tape of the first Cockney Rebel album. I felt I got a good deal even though I didn't like the Cockney Rebel tape very much. I did like the Triumvirat album but had problems liking the vocals.
Very popular in the Northeast in the mid-70's AOR stations, especially 'Spartacus'. 'A la Carte' was grim. After the first few bars of "Waterfall", I binned it, never to be played further, nor again. I was disillusioned (on a double dimple.) Never bought 'Russian Roulette."
the original US album cover of "Old Loves..." had the mouse viewed through a maginfiying glass is classic... so if it had a mouse on the cover, it was a classic!
I always thought they sounded like ELP,. I’ve only heard three of their albums, but of those three I rank them as follows: 3 Old Loves Die Hard 2 Sparticus 1 Illusions on a Double Dimple.
I agree with your ranking, Spartacus is perfect and also Illusions is very good (but I lalso ike very much "old loves die hard") thanks for this video.
I first came to the new triumvirate from the Pompeii album and I like it a lot. Then I started to search for the band other albums. After I came across and bought a few of their cds, however I don’t quite liked them like the first one and I stopped the search.
This is one of those bands I should definetly check out! Btw Pete, have you heard of the Finnish prog band Wigwam? If you haven’t, I warmly recommend you to check out their albums Lucky Golden Stripes and a Starpose and Being, although their whole career is magnificent!
Even though you gave a great review of each album, I really wish you had explained that Spartacus was based loosely on the gladiator, as each song telling the story, a great concept album. The other albums, the songs were not connected in any way, but Spartacus told a story, which sets it apart from the other albums and makes it the BEST! I just wish they had put out a full live album. I have heard bits and pieces of some of their live stuff, but they sound more like bootlegs, rather than a dedicated album.
Hi Pete. Just as Caress of Steel is a real overlooked Rush album, I think Pompei is very underappreciated and I think it's one of their best and not on the lower end. Sure, it has a lot of vocal melody but that what makes it great creates a hybrid of Elton John/Beatles type art pop crossed with prog to create a new style of music. Absolutely great.
Been a fan of Triumvirat since Spartacus came out. I'll go with Spartacus & Illusions as my top two. I'd also make an argument that Ala Carte is one to stay away from. Pompeii tells a good story but is a bit over-produced. The music is pretty good though. Old Loves Die Hard is good. I always looked at the History of Mystery as kind of their Karn Evil 9 first impression. Helmut Kollen had begun to leave the band to pursue a solo career. Unfortunately he was found dead in his car with it running. There's lots of speculation between suicide and an accident. I read once that he was a cousin of Jurgen (Yurgen) Fritz. And in a Neil Peart sort of way Hans Bathelt was the primary lyricist when he was with the band. Jurgen Fritz was a great keyboard player but of course Keith Emerson is still my #1.
Back in 1976, I saw Triumvirat open for ELO on July 4th. The venue was Convention Hall in Asbury Park NJ. which was on the boardwalk. After the show there were fireworks. The guys from Triumvirat were hanging out watching the fireworks when we approached the band to tell them how much we enjoyed their set. My buddy mentioned how he was an ELP fan and that Triumvirat reminded him of that sound. Jurgen Fritz responded "We don't sound like ELP....they sound like us" !
I was at that show. Did the power go out in the building just as they started to play? I remember thinking how sad that was. The crowd started to get very impatient & I thought maybe they wouldn't even get to play. I wanted so much to hear their set because I already heard of them & wanted so much to hear them live. They eventually got to play & IMO crushed it. (I didn't remember that it was July 4th)
I listen to Spartacus all the time. Absolutely love it. One of my favorite prog albums of all time
Great great album. The end of spartacus is incredible
Great band from my youth. “Illusions on a Double Dimple “ is stone cold prog masterpiece. The legendary Philadelphia DJ Ed Sciaky used to play cuts from Illusions on WMMR all the time back in the wonderful seventies. Lot’s of great memories with this band from that era.
Ed Schaiky was THE DJ for prog in Philly back in the day. He was influential in getting both Yes & Bruce Springsteen recognized in Philly.
“Hands off, Mister Ten Percent!
We've got a gig tonight! Ha!”
Top two albums are both prog classics. For me “Illusions” is #1. Been listening to that and “Spartacus” for 45 years! Thanks fir this ranking Pete, and bringing them to the attention of your viewers!
I’ve been waiting for you to a video on Triumvirat! Such an awesome band, wish they got more recognition
Love that you’re doing this band. First three albums are prog classics. After that they lost the plot. Thanks for doing this.
I’ll give Triumvirat a listen. Thank you for mentioning them!!🎼🎤🎸🎼🥁
Their albums are NOT on Spotify, iTunes or Google Play. Check online for their discography.
What a nice tribute to this amazing band, Thanx a lot!!
For me Old Loves Die Hard is one the best prog albums ever. My list:
1 - Old Loves Die Hard
2- Spartacus
3- Illusions on a Double Dimple
4- Pompeii
5- Mediterranean Tales
6- A la Carte
7- Russian Roulette
I've been a huge Triumvirat fan for a long time now.
Thank you for covering this phenomenal band! I love Triumvirat- my personal favorite album is Spartacus. I have always considered them a more accessible version of ELP, like "ELP Lite." Thank you as always, Pete!
I saw Triumvirat and Kraftwerk in Germany while visiting my grandparents in Deutschland in early 70's. I did know either band till then...
Old Loves Die Hard is my #1. The keyboards are AMAZING!
Spartacus and Illusions are the keeper albums. Had a few of the others, didn't hold onto them.
You learn something new everyday! Thanks, Pete!
Spartacus is one of my most listened to albums. March To The Eternal City is a prog classic.
Probably mentioned elsewhere but Hans Bathell wrote all the lyrics of the earlier albums, and Helmut Kollen sang.. He spoke little English at the time so he was forced to sing the lyrics phonetically, on both Spartacus and Illusions.. He left the band after Spartacus and died tragically two years later
My favourite band
Thank you for introducing me to this band. I discovered them from another video of yours and went out and picked up Spartacus the same day. As soon as I got it home I gave it a listen and realized it was right up my alley, so went and bought the other two top albums from the band. As a life-long fan of metal and progressive metal and its various aggressive sub-genres, I've never dabbled in rock or prog-rock anywhere beyond Pink Floyd's work. But I'm very much looking forward to digging into the prog rock genre as I try to expand my tastes.
Pete....you are my HERO!! Can't believe I am watching this! What a great band.....The March to the Eternal City was regularly played back in the day on the Greg Stone show, "Stone Trek" on 98.5 KOME in San Jose. Thanks for keeping this great music alive....
The reason the classic lineup didn't stay together was pretty tragic. They had done some tracks in the studio, and bassist/vocalist Helmut Kollen took a cassette home with him. He parked in his garage and continued listening, leaving the car running. We all know what happens when you sit in a running car in a garage. Very sad.
He had already left the band to pursue a solo career when he died.
Thanks for doing a Triumvirat ranking!
I'd put Old love dies hard before Mediterranian but the top two is pretty obvious.
Really fun to listen to all of your explanations and descriptions, thanks again!
It’s great to see some recognition for Triumvirat . I heard them on the local FM station in the 70’s .. I’m pretty much in agreement with your ranking , although my favourite is Illusions . In my view , they’re not on the same level as ELP , but they’re a very talented band . It’s great that you’re giving exposure to these lesser known groups . Thanks to you , I have become a big fan of Agitation Free . I look forward to you educating me on more quality music . Many thanks !!
Great band, 'Spartacus' is my favourite👍
Since ELP is one of the bands I grew up with, I fell in love with this band almost immediately. Let's pretend they stopped after Pompeii. Lol
My ranking:
1. Illusions On A Double Dimple
2. Spartacus
3. Old Loves Die Hard
4. Pompeii
5. Mediterranean Tales
Rad vid pete, thanks for all the rankings you do for various bands across the world. You rock
Thank you for taking notice of a great band that unfortunately sold out on their last 2 albums to pay the bills but talented none the less. Here is my list:
1. Illusions Of A Double Dimple (Masterpiece of Keyboard Prog Rock)
2. Spartacus ( Another Epic Keyboard Tour De Force)
3. Mediterranean Tales (Excellent Debut)
4. Old Love Dies Hard ( A new singer and he adds more melody to the pieces and its quite Excellent)
5. Pompeii ( A really good album that was consistently good but a little bit letdown compared to the previous 3 albums)
6. A La Carte ( A Pop Rock album that has a couple of catchy tracks but rest is kind of weak)
7. Russian Roulette ( A mixed bag that's a mess and Russian Roulette describes this album perfectly a risk of life or death)
"March To The Eternal City" should have been a Classic Rock radio mainstay! It was not. Awesome track!
Mostly because of the nearly 9 minute run time, I'd guess. But I agree with your point. That track deserved airplay.
Great band indeed. My #1 progressive rock band
Damn, Find, Splendid Pete, so few know of Triumvirat in comparison to the Prog biggies. Appreciate this.
Great review, thanks. Wonder why a few public presentations...
"Mine is the road to nowhere
no sign, no light to guide me
who could describe my anger
when I was sacked last Friday"
I gotta say, I’m really impressed at how well you know this band. You’ve definitely summed up each one of these albums to a T. Making sure to give credit to the musicians along the way. Bravo, and well done. Also, I think your ranking is spot on!
danke schön 😊
I was an early fan of Triumvirat and remain so today. But I never ever heard anybody compare them to ELP. They were, to me, nothing like them. And Jürgen Fritz (pronounced Yergen) was in a class of his own. Additionally, the "changes" you bemoan were actually the result of the death of bassist, Helmut Köllen in 1977 and the return of original bassist, Dick Frangenburg.
Wow! I thought I was the last living person who still listens to Triumvirat.
Your worst to best list matches my own.
Spartacus and IOADD are the two I always go back to. Every prog fan should give both a listen.
Thanks for this. I enjoyed hearing your breakdown of each album.
Hey Pete, I'm a big Triumvirat fan. Spot-on with the ranking...well, almost. I gotta put "illusions On A Double Dimple as my #1 and "Spartacus" as my #2. Although, really they are a tie. "Old Loves Die Hard" was the first record I bought by them. Comes in a solid #3. The pop-ish songs are good. But the other tunes are REALLY good. And you're right, Barry's vocals helped solidify the sound on that album. Still listen to all 3 regularly.
I was given a bunch of vinyls two years ago and "Spartacus" was in that lot. Just got a record player today and spun it. I LOVE this album to death now. Such good music.
I also have the album after it which I do not like as much. Spartacus gets 4/5 and the followup gets 3/5.
Spartacus has to be one of the first albums I bought when I lived in Germany back in the 70s bought it in a downtown Schweinfurt Record Shop guess I'm going to have to buy it again Thanks for the Memories
"Illusions on a Double Dimple" for some reason was played on "underground" FM radio in Houston when I was a teenager. Probably their best. I bought that, then "Spartacus", and maybe "Old Habits Die Hard" but they really didn't do much for me...like Pete says..poor man's ELP.
Hello Again from Greece
My top albums of Triumvirat
1. Illusions on a double Dimple
2. Mediterranean tales
3. Spartacus
4. Old love dies hard
5. Pompei
Great show! My ranking lines up exactly with yours, Pete. Illusions was a KSHE Classic in St. Louis. Spartacus is a great concept album. Pompeii had great potential.
Thanks to your show...I've gotten complete catalogues of many killer bands for my collection...among them was this band...Triumvirat are a great band...many thanks Pete!
Spartacus was a revelation in its day. Fritz stood up close to Emerson on that one without the absolute genius and excesses of Emerson, he had the sound that just worked. I think March to the Eternal City was my favorite on that one.
LOVE TRIUMVIRAT! Especially Double Dimple and Sparticus. I like those albums better than than ELP because their lyrics and song structures are more structured and less wanky! But they really sucked at the end there. Kind of sad, because they were so good!
Hey Pete, how's about ranking the albums of Tygers of Pan Tang? 👍
They are on the long to-do list...but let's keep the conversation here about Triumvirat.
@@seaoftranquilityprog oh...ok...sorry. i'll try again...Great show Pete, keep up the great work, triumvial are not my cup of tea but I enjoyed the show. I hope that's better!? 👍
@@shaunsmith3538 lol! There you go.
Wow you got to Triumvirat !! Fantastic
My first exposure to this band was by my older Brothers friend Denny who was a Guitarist in one of many Local bands my Brother George (Bassist) was in with him. Mediterranean Tales, Loved the Cover art and the music, Yup very ELP-like, great stuff and they often put their own twist on Classical passages !! Also many band member changes !! So Med.Tales is a special one for me but like Genesis classic albums they are all so close like 9.9/9.8/9.7 well you get my meaning ! : D
1, Mediterranean Tales
2, Illusions On A Double Dimple
3, Spartacus
4, Old Loves Die Hard ( Last cover with our White mouse friend ! Lol )
5, Pompeii ( Ahh okay but many changes !! )
The first three are their Best by far !!
Thanks Pete, you got it right yet again.
Talking about European prog bands when I first got into Triumvirat in investigating them on the interweb of all things I started to come across a number of Eastern European bands and in particular East German (DDR) bands - or Ostrock as its sometimes termed.
Large varierty of styles, and amazing to hear what groups both restricted by the regimes they lived in and the availability of instruments came up with. Prog wise probably the best of them is early Stern Combo Meissen who transformed into a more AOR ish hard rock band after guitarist Uwe Hassbecker (who chanelled his best sub Gary Moore alike isms and then went on to join another DDR band Silly) and singer IC Falkenberg joined - though more recently they've gone back towards their proggier roots with Manuel Schmid (of German prog band Cyril) . Well worth checking out. And from Hungary as well as Solaris there's the excellent Omega who've just released what may be their farewell album, Testamentum (their long time keyboardist and bassist have sadly recently passed away)which is pretty good. For whatever reason five or six years back I spent some time getting hold of all sorts of stuff from Eastern European bands some really good some not so, however if you've not heard anything from the old Eastern block those I've mentioned along with the likes of Collegium Musicum for Slovenia; SBB from Poland; Electra, Lift, Puhdys, Karat and City from East Germany have made some good (and some not so good) music - a bit like Triumvrat in some ways.
Triumvirat was awesome! My brother bought the Spartacus album, didn't like it so he gave it to me and I really loved it. Then I bought "Illusions on a Double Dimple" then bought "Mediterranean Oceans"... Again both great albums. And then "Old Loves Die Hard" with their biggest radio hit "I Believe" which, unfortunately, would be their last album. But then like a year later they reformed under the name of "New Triumvirat" and released two more album, "Pompeil" then the album "A la Carte" which would be the last album I knew they did. Shame they disappeared and I never saw anything by them. They always had sang in English I stead of German. They got into auto racing when they left music....shame. They were literally insulted by critiques of copying ELP, again, a shame because they were a really awesome band!
Good job discussing them!
Another ELP-like band is the Slovakian Collegium Musicum with the great Marian Varga on the organ.
It's good one, they used to play with hungarian Omega in 70's
For my money, as far as German Prog Bands go, I think I will stick with Eloy. The catalog is rock solid, their concepts are more interesting and they still seem to be going strong. Thanks Mr. Pardo for another excellent video.
Have all. Eloy on vinyl. And cd.
@@davekummer6587 I need Eloy on vinyl period. Mine are all on compact disc. And of course I have less than half the catalog, as they can be tough to find in the United Sates. Mind you I’m not a collector so it’s not like I’m out there hunting diligently. It’s mostly when I hop on Amazon , and have them in mind as far as an album purchase. If I’ve been in the mood for Priest or Ozzy, I’ll probably be looking for those bands music n merch.
I have all of these seven albums, and I fully agree with your list. For so many years they were my favorite band of all times. A genuine prog-synphonic rock band (I'm considering the 5 top albums). By the way, I disagree when you connect them to ELP. For me the German prog-symphonic rock bands are totally different from the English or American ones. The German style is unique...
Mediterranean Tales (Across the Waters) is a great album! Another great European prog rock band is Premiata Forneria Marconi, which you’ve mentioned and referenced numerous times for example the Mellatron video. Would you ever rank their albums?
Live in Japan 2002 is the best concert dvd, I've ever seen.
A name I have heard many times but not heard their music. Thanks for this review Pete. All your rankings and reviews are very useful.
Nice analysis at the end of your presentation about the prog evolution (or de-evolution) at the beginning of the 80’s when some of these bands tried to attract a larger audience. The same thing was experienced by the jazz-rock and fusion bands trying to put a disco feel at the end of the 70’s.
I love Triumvirat. I wonder if the record company will ever reissue their vinyl records ❤. I am looking forward to it 🎉. If someone knows something about it let me know please
I have never heard of this band. I will be changing that pretty soon. Germany is home to a lot of really cool obscure groups though.
Great video , Spartacus and Double Dimple for me - so good to see you cover such niche music
I always pronounced the name Triumvi-RAT, seeing as they had a rat on most of the album covers.
Spartacus was my intro to these guys. Also loved Illusions and OLDH.
I used to air keyboard to this stuff
Yes..i think you`re right,it`s a word game!
In Brazil the Triumvirat was very popular due to the well-known covers with the mouse. Old Love was also released in Brazil with a mouse on cover.
For me, Illusions... holds a place in my pantheon of greats. To this day I still go back and listen to it.
Another splendid review ...One suggestion for worst to best serial...maybe some Black Metal bands like Burzum or if not 15 best Black Metal albums...I think that there are a lot of subscribers interested in Black Metal....or maybe best NWOBHM ...
Spartacus é uma obra prima! Estranhamente ele não consta nos 100 melhores do site Progarchives.
Very pleasant suprise to see Triumvirat's albums ranked! Been a fan of most of their albums since the time of their initial release. Own all of them on vinyl - and the only reason I own "Russian Roulette" is that I found a used copy for sale for $1 at the local library years back. Terrible album and even worse album cover!
My ranking of their albums is basically the same as yours, Pete, but I would swap the positions of 'Mediterranean Tales' and 'Old Loves Die Hard'. Favorite song by them is "March To The Eternal City from 'Spartacus'.
I remember I used to hear their song "School Of Instant Pain" on SIRIUS radio back in the late 2000's and was blown away by it, definitely something I can picture ELP doing.
In the distant mists of 1975, I was at my band/concerts attendance peak. I entered a competition in the UK weekly music publication, Sounds, the prize was two tickets to Grand Funk at Wembley arena and low and behold probably the only competition I've ever won. I asked a mate, Steve, if he would like the other ticket which he accepted and we went to Wembley to see Grand Funk who were supported by Triumvirat - a quick google confirms that this was the 18th April 1975. It was a great night with the prog sounds of Triumvirat and the heavy rock of Grand Funk.
However this story had a real upside. I already had tickets for the Led Zep. 1st night at Earls Court in London just under a month later. Between the GF gig and the 1st night of Led Zep, Steve, who had tickets for the last night at Earls Court and was going with his sister, told me that his sister couldn't go, and in return for the freebee to GF & Triumvirat would I like first dibs on the spare ticket for the last night which I accepted without hesitation.
So Triumvirat will always remain in my memory for that alone.
By the way Steve had got lucky with his LZ tickets we were in the fourth row. I haven't seen Steve since the 1970's but if by any chance he looks in here I hope he remembers.
But I will see if I can locate the first few albums now I have been given a nudge.
1) Spartacus
2) Illusions on a Double Dimple
3) Mediterranean Tales (Across the Waters)
4) Old Loves Die Hard
5) Pompeii (The New Triumvirat LP)
6) A la Carte
7) Russian Roulette
Thank you for this pick from Germany
Triumvirat. Most neverheard of band ever. Yet one of my favorites.
My dad was a big fan of Spartacus and that album cover was stuck in my head for years. I really grew up on it on vinyl. Year after year was searching for what band it was to no luck. Monkey in lightbulb gives you nothing! LOL
Eventually found it and we've both been enjoying it ever since!
You really should cover a band by the name of "Black Bonzo". Swedish prog band. Extremely well rounded band with all around excellent qualities. Only released 3 albums, but they are all solid. Anyway, thanks for this vid Pete. My dad turned me on to Triumvirat and they are awesome. "Illusion on a Double Dimple" is a great album.
They sound great, thanks for the heads up.
I can't believe you don't own a Triumvirat t-shirt, Pete 🙄😁
I have. Triumvirat is big here in Brazil.
Was a huge fan of Illusions when I was little saw that tour they opened for Hypnotize era Fleetwood Mac soooo fun
What great timing. I had just listened to Illusions on a Double Dimple (my favourite) thinking what a great album it is. I
agree with your top 3, just different order. I actually prefer the vocals pre Barry Palmer as I find his voice grates a bit after a while. The comparisons with ELP are completely valid but although I was a HUGE fan, they had a tendency to do a lot of cover versions and "ditties" (Jeremy Bender, Benny the Bouncer etc) while Spartacus & Double Dimple have consistent quality material start to finish. Thanks for doing it.
Passing comment on a different thread, did Refugee (effectively the Nice with Patrick Moraz) or The Law (Paul Rodgers) feature in your One Album Wonders?
Barry Palmer sung with a pop band that will be known by fellow brits, Kenny who are known for their hit The Bump.
Very honest review Pete. Always wanted to know what these guys were like, mostly from the Barry Palmer angle as he sang on Crises and Discovery by Mike Oldfield (ranking the albums???). Thanks!
I absolutely love the first 2 albums.
Spartacus and Illusions are definitely their best albums.They were a great band and a lot of good stuff they produced over the years.Prefer them to ELP.
You nailed this one, agree 100%. I first heard Illusions on a cool radio station we had back then, as a huge ELP fan, it blew me away. Then came Spartacus, and we're off to the races. Or not, digging into the rest of the catalogue was sorely disappointing
They are fantastic....and very different in scope than ELP....more accessible actually ..🤘😎🎸
Didn’t know they had that many albums. Only ones I have are Illusions and Spartacus.
When I discovered this band in the 70s , I first heard Spartacus and when I lived in Boston for 2 and half years I work as a volunteer usher and got see them and love their show but the audience didn't like them during their first five songs , and this was at the orphine theater 1975 .I believe the band they back up was gentle giant .but. still the band was good , even though boston did not like them at that time.
Round about 1975, when I was 15, I swapped my vinyl copy of Elton John's 'Captain Fantastic' for a vinyl copy of Triumvirat's 'Illusions on a Double Dimple' and a cassette tape of the first Cockney Rebel album. I felt I got a good deal even though I didn't like the Cockney Rebel tape very much. I did like the Triumvirat album but had problems liking the vocals.
Great underrated band
Love Triumvirat! ♡
How about doing a Show on Nektar now.
Very popular in the Northeast in the mid-70's AOR stations, especially 'Spartacus'. 'A la Carte' was grim. After the first few bars of "Waterfall", I binned it, never to be played further, nor again. I was disillusioned (on a double dimple.) Never bought 'Russian Roulette."
I would love to see Mediterranean Tales re-released with the vocals redone with the voice who did Spartacus and Illusions on a Double Dimple.
Great band i realy love all the first 4 albums, yes they sound like ELP but i wuld put em on the same level, one of the best german prog bands =)
the original US album cover of "Old Loves..." had the mouse viewed through a maginfiying glass is classic... so if it had a mouse on the cover, it was a classic!
I didn't know there was a different cover to the magnifying glass
@@carlfisher3924 - Pete Pardo shows the basic "black/white' cover... not sure if it's the original German release. Someone might know can reply.
I always thought they sounded like ELP,. I’ve only heard three of their albums, but of those three I rank them as follows:
3 Old Loves Die Hard
2 Sparticus
1 Illusions on a Double Dimple.
I agree with your ranking, Spartacus is perfect and also Illusions is very good (but I lalso ike very much "old loves die hard") thanks for this video.
I first came to the new triumvirate from the Pompeii album and I like it a lot. Then I started to search for the band other albums. After I came across and bought a few of their cds, however I don’t quite liked them like the first one and I stopped the search.
I always tought they were like of German ELP, but i must admit that they got 2 superbs album Spartacus and Illusion On Double Dimple
This is one of those bands I should definetly check out! Btw Pete, have you heard of the Finnish prog band Wigwam? If you haven’t, I warmly recommend you to check out their albums Lucky Golden Stripes and a Starpose and Being, although their whole career is magnificent!
Yes indeed. I have a couple of theirs.
@@seaoftranquilityprog Great! Wigwam is one of the reasons I’m very proud to be a Finn! Would Top-10 Songs: Wigwam be possible some day?
@@YouBetterYouBet I don't have nearly enough of their catalog to do a ranking or pick a Top 10 songs.
I love Spartacus. Everything else, not so much.
All the early ones are really good IMO. Illusions on a double dimple especially
Even though you gave a great review of each album, I really wish you had explained that Spartacus was based loosely on the gladiator, as each song telling the story, a great concept album. The other albums, the songs were not connected in any way, but Spartacus told a story, which sets it apart from the other albums and makes it the BEST! I just wish they had put out a full live album. I have heard bits and pieces of some of their live stuff, but they sound more like bootlegs, rather than a dedicated album.
Absolutely loved Illusions and Spartacus but they lost me after that and that made me sad. I loved Panic on Old Loves.
Still got all of their records !
Hi Pete. Just as Caress of Steel is a real overlooked Rush album, I think Pompei is very underappreciated and I think it's one of their best and not on the lower end.
Sure, it has a lot of vocal melody but that what makes it great creates a hybrid of Elton John/Beatles type art pop crossed with prog to create a new style of music. Absolutely great.
Been a fan of Triumvirat since Spartacus came out. I'll go with Spartacus & Illusions as my top two. I'd also make an argument that Ala Carte is one to stay away from. Pompeii tells a good story but is a bit over-produced. The music is pretty good though. Old Loves Die Hard is good. I always looked at the History of Mystery as kind of their Karn Evil 9 first impression. Helmut Kollen had begun to leave the band to pursue a solo career. Unfortunately he was found dead in his car with it running. There's lots of speculation between suicide and an accident. I read once that he was a cousin of Jurgen (Yurgen) Fritz. And in a Neil Peart sort of way Hans Bathelt was the primary lyricist when he was with the band. Jurgen Fritz was a great keyboard player but of course Keith Emerson is still my #1.