Imperial Triumphant

Imperial Triumphant formed in New York City as an experimental blackened jazz-metal outfit. Fronted by vocalist and guitarist Zachary Ilya Ezrin, the group fuses dissonant experimental textures, technical black metal, vanguard jazz, and neo-classical elements. Following the 2012 release of their widely praised Abominamentvm, the band experienced multiple personnel shifts, performed at festivals throughout the United States and Europe, and delivered EPs, singles, and full-length albums on imprints such as Gilead Media and Century Media. Their 2018 album Vile Luxury emerged as a collectively composed conceptual work that positioned New York City itself as central character and narrator; critics commended its integration of jazz harmonics, improvisation, and diverse instrumentation. Alphaville, issued in 2020, intensified those exploratory impulses and garnered international praise. The 2021 live recording An Evening with Imperial Triumphant captured a performance at the Slipper Room cabaret in New York City. Spirit of Ecstasy, released in 2022, incorporated horn sections and featured contributions from Testament guitarist Alex Skolnick, Voivod vocalist Denis "Snake" Belanger, and smooth jazz saxophonist Kenny G.

Ezrin launched Imperial Triumphant in 2005 as a four-piece alongside drummer Maelström, bassist Naargryl Fjellkrieger, and rhythm guitarist Amarok Myrvandr. The band's self-titled 2008 demo showcased the latter's cello, which introduced an additional harmonic layer that distinguished them from contemporaries. The original lineup next issued the independently released six-track EP Summons to War, after which Maelström departed. Pyrron drummer Alex Cohen, who had already rehearsed and toured with the group, stepped in and appeared on the six-track Obeisance EP of 2012.

Imperial Triumphant tracked their acclaimed, self-released full-length Abominamentvm as a trio. Ezrin recruited Cohen's Pyrron colleague Erik Malave to handle bass and backing vocals. The ensuing tour took the band across the United States, where they played clubs and secondary stages at festivals. In 2013 they released Goliath, a two-track single featuring second drummer Kenny Grohowski.

Late that year the group signed with Code666 Records, which combined Abominamentvm and Goliath into the single volume Shrine to the Trident Throne and issued it in summer 2014. The compilation drew favorable notices from writers who had previously overlooked the original releases; the renewed visibility translated into stronger headline club dates and improved festival placements. Imperial Triumphant maintained an active touring schedule until late in the year, when they entered the studio with an expanded roster of guests. The resulting album Abysmal Gods incorporated horns, a female vocal chorus, strings, and temporary guitarist Max Gorelick. Mixed and mastered by Dysrhythmia's Colin Marston, it appeared in February 2015. Positive reviews secured headline engagements at larger venues throughout the continental United States.

Imperial Triumphant issued the limited-edition EP Inceste—pressed in a run of 100 copies—via Cleveland's Redefining Darkness Records in 2016. Ezrin expanded the lineup to a quintet by adding keyboardist and backing vocalist Steve Blanco. Once again mixed and mastered by Marston, the sessions included a trio of backing singers and saxophonist/clarinetist Ulrich Krieger.

Following a North American tour the band reverted to the trio of Ezrin, Grohowski, and Blanco. They returned to Marston's The Thousand Caves Studio in Queens with the aim of examining the contradictory character of New York City. A brass quintet comprising two trombones, two trumpets, and tuba joined the proceedings, as did guest vocalists Yoshiko Ohara of Bloody Panda and Will Smith of Artificial Brain. Released by Gilead Media, Vile Luxury juxtaposed experimental black metal with avant-jazz. International metal publications hailed the album as a pivotal work for its ability to cross genre boundaries while maintaining conceptual focus. Although Imperial Triumphant had established a touring presence in North America, they had yet to perform in Europe; the reception for Vile Luxury secured an invitation to Roadburn Festival in Tilburg, Netherlands. Their set concluded with a ten-minute standing ovation, opening the door to subsequent dates in Germany and Austria before they resumed American touring.

In 2019 Imperial Triumphant signed with Sony's Century Media and entered the studio in early 2020, again taking New York City as their inspiration. Working with producer Trey Spruance, they used Vile Luxury as a foundation for further sonic ambition. Marston contributed additional guitars while also mixing and mastering; guests included Meshuggah's Thomas Haake on taiko drums, a choir directed by Ohara, a barbershop quartet with all parts performed by R.K. Halvørson, strings, and multi-tracked trombone by J. Walter Hawkes. Titled Alphaville after Jean-Luc Godard's 1965 dystopian film, the album featured seven original compositions alongside reinterpretations of Voivod's "Experiment" and the Residents' "Happy Home." Although tracked prior to the global COVID-19 pandemic, Alphaville reached stores in July 2020 and earned praise from jazz writers and other observers outside extreme metal circles for its synthesis of genres and textures. The band followed with An Evening with Imperial Triumphant in 2021, recorded at the Slipper Room with trumpeter Benjamin Hankle augmenting the core trio. In July 2022 they delivered their fourth studio album, Spirit of Ecstasy, again employing brass, strings, and guests that included vocalist Yoshiko Ohara, guitarists Alex Skolnick of Testament, Trey Spruance of Mr. Bungle, and Max Gorelick, plus Kenny G on the track "Merkurius Gilded."