ALBUM REVIEW: Alphaville – Imperial Triumphant

Formed some fifteen years ago by Zach ‘Ilya’ Ezrin, IMPERIAL TRIUMPHANT has since become one of the more distinctive acts in the extreme metal zeitgeist. Starting out with a frenetic black metal sound, adorned with some neoclassical elements, there was not much to suggest that the project would soon veer towards the avant-garde. The technical and progressive sound of their second album Abyssal Gods raised a few eyebrows, but it wasn’t until Vile Luxury and the addition of Steve Blanco and Kenny Grohowski that IMPERIAL TRIUMPHANT really began to embrace its eccentric potential. Vile Luxury explored some idiosyncratic themes: urban decay, the duality of wealth and poverty, and the failings of futurism.

Once twinned with their characteristic stage-wear, IMPERIAL TRIUMPHANT became one of the more recognisable extreme metal acts on the scene, touring North America and Europe in support of Vile Luxury. Now signed to Century Media Records, all eyes are on the New Yorkers as they make their major-label debut with Alphaville.

Opening with lead single Rotted Futures, Alphaville starts as it means to go on. Dissonance, odd-time signatures and technical flourishes abound here, giving the music a loose and swinging feel. Excelsior demonstrates bassist Steve Blanco’s decidedly anti-traditional approach to metal bass, which alternates between grounding the rhythm or melody, and arpegiatting up and down the fretboard. Plenty of sampling and subtle overdubbing creates a rich atmosphere, full of intricacies and detail, which demands and rewards close listening. It’s a testament to IMPERIAL TRIUMPHANT’s accomplished musicianship that a vocal-harmony arrangement – which introduces Atomic Age – can be added just as an ornament to a larger piece, rather than being the main event.

Occasionally, though, this can come across as more frivolous than skilful; piano, trombone and even taiko drums (performed by guest musician Tomas Haake, no less) find their way into Alphaville’s textural melange. In amongst it all, the title track doesn’t manage to stand out as perhaps it should. In many ways Alphaville is the most conventional metal track on the album, and while it is able to deliver it’s narrative both musically and lyrically, it’s not the plateau many might have expected. For instance, there are passages which are so musically unhinged as to succeed in being truly disorientating. City Swine, Transmission to Mercury and The Greater Good are especially captivating in this regard, communicating the bewildering claustrophobia of their hometown better than many soundtracks. Finally, there are the hidden cover tracks. Not wanting to spoil the surprise, we advise you to pay careful attention to the artwork so that you might find some clues.

Alphaville has the airs of a modern classic. From start to finish, IMPERIAL TRIUMPHANT have created a cinematic experience which exquisitely renders both bewildering urban sprawl and the apocalyptic mood of the present-day. Having studied the success of Vile Luxury closely, they have ensured that Alphaville has everything which a good sequel ought to have: refinement, variegation and expansion. Textural diversity and careful pacing makes this album a satisfying full-length listen, while expert song craft distinguishes each track along the way. The masked New Yorkers are proving themselves to be masters of their craft.

Rating: 9/10

Alphaville is set for release on July 31st via Century Media Records.

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