Spirit of Ecstasy (album)
| Spirit of Ecstasy | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | July 22, 2022 | |||
| Studio | Menegroth Studios | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 54:45 | |||
| Label | Century Media | |||
| Imperial Triumphant chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Spirit of Ecstasy | ||||
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Spirit of Ecstasy is the fifth studio album by American experimental metal band Imperial Triumphant. It was released on July 22, 2022 through Century Media Records.[1][2]
Background
[edit]The album was announced on May 20, 2022, accompanied by the release and music video of the first single, "Maximalist Scream".[3] The title of the album is a reference to the hood ornament on Rolls-Royce vehicles.[4] Vocalist and guitarist Zachary Ezrin stated the album “was inspired by luxury brands like Rolls-Royce and Rolex." He continued, "They’re not just putting out products that are expensive, but ones that are incredibly high-quality in terms of the attention to detail that goes in."[4]
The album features multiple guest musicians, including Voivod's Denis Bélanger, Testament's Alex Skolnick, and Kenny G.[5]
Like its predecessor, the album was recorded at Colin Marston's Menegroth Studios in New York City.[6]
Musical style
[edit]The album has been described as avant-garde metal, blackened death metal, and jazz fusion.[7]
Reception
[edit]Max Morin of Metal Injection gave the album a score of 7/10 and wrote "It's musically similar to their 2020 breakthrough Alphaville, but with a much more defined sound that gives each instrument room to breathe. It's distinct move away from the buzzy 'trve kvlt' guitar sound of their early releases and it suits Imperial Triumphant just fine."[8] Paul Travers of Kerrang! gave it a score of 3/5 and stated "Spirit Of Ecstasy certainly isn’t an easy listen. There are moments where it seems like they’re trying a little too hard to be different for confrontation’s own sake, but the album succeeds in its own lack of boundaries and utter refusal to compromise."[9]
Track listing
[edit]| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Chump Change" | |
| 2. | "Metrovertigo" | |
| 3. | "Tower of Glory, City of Shame" | |
| 4. | "Merkurius Gilded" | |
| 5. | "Death on a Highway" | |
| 6. | "In the Pleasure of Their Company" | |
| 7. | "Bezumnaya" | |
| 8. | "Maximalist Scream" | |
| Total length: | 54:45 | |
Personnel
[edit]Imperial Triumphant
- Zachary Ezrin – vocals, guitars
- Kenny Grohowski – drums
- Steve Blacno – bass, vocals, keyboards
References
[edit]- ^ Grymm (2022-07-21). "Imperial Triumphant - Spirit of Ecstasy Review". Angry Metal Guy. Retrieved 2025-01-21.
- ^ Sacher, Andrew. "Imperial Triumphant announce new LP, share song ft. Voivod's Snake". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved 2025-01-23.
- ^ Weaver, James (2022-05-20). "Imperial Triumphant announce new album 'Spirit Of Ecstasy'". Distorted Sound Magazine. Retrieved 2025-01-23.
- ^ a b ""This is challenging music, but there is reward in that": How…". Kerrang!. 2022-08-04. Retrieved 2025-01-23.
- ^ Collins, Dillon (2022-07-21). "IMPERIAL TRIUMPHANT's Zachary Ezrin Talks Spirit Of Ecstasy, Collaborating With KENNY G & Discovering Heavy Metal". Metal Injection. Retrieved 2025-01-23.
- ^ Zukowski, Zenae (2022-08-10). "Interview: Imperial Triumphant's Zach talks new album 'Spirit of Ecstasy' | Metal Insider". Retrieved 2025-01-23.
- ^ Hickman, Langdon (2022-07-20). "Imperial Triumphant : Spirit of Ecstasy | Album review". Treble. Retrieved 2025-01-23.
- ^ Morin, Max (2022-07-25). "Album Review: IMPERIAL TRIUMPHANT Spirit Of Ecstasy". Metal Injection. Retrieved 2025-01-23.
- ^ "Album review: Imperial Triumphant – Spirit Of Ecstasy". Kerrang!. 2022-07-21. Retrieved 2025-01-23.