Take a ride through the glitz and glam of a metropolis' grim realities.
Words by Luis (@HeaviestOfArt):
Just prior to the weekend, New York's Imperial Triumphant shined a light on the next chapter of an expansive, ever-growing ode to their hometown, aptly titled Goldstar.
Last we spoke to band frontman, Zachary Ezrin, Alphaville (2020) was at the forefront of Imperial Triumphant's creative endeavors and the band had made a strong venture into a worldwide audience with a Century Media signing at the time, followed by several tours, the release of Spirit of Ecstasy (2022), and now, Goldstar. The band's latest illustrates a band leagues beyond the same Imperial Triumphant we photographed at LA's now-defunct 5 Star Bar in 2019, a time in which Vile Luxury (2019) was heavily circulating the underground. One could argue that Imperial Triumphant are even stronger as a unit than that of their 2022 selves, which we also photographed alongside Zeal & Ardor at LA's Echoplex. It's evident that we've been documenting the band's trajectory over the years, and with their participation in 2025's Decibel Magazine Tour on the horizon, the trend will continue and again shift upwards.
Said growth is reflected in the composition of each subsequent album, and as the band hit new creative heights, we welcome Ezrin back in conversation to dive through their golden spectacle. When asked what state of mind Goldstar found him in as he looks back at the nearly two decades since the band’s formation, the guitarist / vocalist could only help but feel excitement at his feats up until this point. Ezrin shares, "My state of mind at the moment is very galvanized. There is so much potential energy surrounding us currently and it is merely up to us to activate. This band has constantly taken our music to new directions. We are very pleased to explore."
Imperial Triumphant are making the most out of their moment without compromising their integrity and vision for the world they so eloquently detail through avantgarde black metal. Their commercial and musical growth is strongly synonymous, and both stand tall as a byproduct of the forward thinking investment that gets placed on every element of the band's craft. Their brand is not "accessible" per se, but it works as an immersive feat that continues to unfold with layer upon layers.
Each album cycle is a challenge that finds them trying to expand upon a narrative previously established on every level while pleasing their own creative ambitions. From a single listen of the latest single, Lexington Delirium, it is apparent that Imperial Triumphant are far from direct, far from linear, which is a goal intentionally placed. They encourage listener/viewer interpretation and engagement. For Goldstar, that dynamic play a significant role its composition. "‘Goldstar’ was born from new boundaries we placed upon ourselves," shares Ezrin. "I always felt that great art comes from thinking outside of the box. However, you need boundaries or a metaphorical box to help that creation. Whether that comes from limiting the song length to 5 mins or recording the entire album in 5 days, restrictions push the artist’s creativity."
The band’s excellence is beyond musical but visual as well with exquisite cover artwork that further establishes their visual identity. For the second time now, the band has returned to Zbigniew M. Bielak for an illustration riddled with references and detail, much like its Alphaville predecessor. Though staggering at first glance, its wonders are found beyond the surface, underneath the parameters of a typical album cover structure. It's the result of mutual understanding, creative freedom, and likeminded madness, the kind that encourages repeated collaborations. To make Goldstar the sight of yesteryear's idea of a metropolis in the form of product placement, Ezrin and Bielak found a strong common ground in terms of visual direction, one that pulled from early influences and film: "We discussed this idea to create a vintage cigarette ad for Goldstar brand cigarettes. I love vintage advertisements. After a few sketches we came up with an idea for a giant robotic woman walking through a great metropolis."
With the amount of sprawling, architectural detail found within it, a seamless cohesion between the two elements had to be formed in a way that felt organic rather than forced. At times in an audiovisual relationship, musics inform the art, and vice versa. For Goldstar, they represent two separate extremes. Ezrin elaborates, "Most of the album artwork represents the vast juxtaposition of New York City. The art is usually visually elegant and decadent while the music is some of the most extreme in the genre. I like that sort of musical trojan horse." This establishment a common duality often presented with in today's hypercommercialism is a common thread between Imperial Triumphant's latest offerings, one that offers great commentary and an even greater listen.
For Ezrin and Bielak, Goldstar was more than another "job", but an opportunity to revisit a unique space crafted within the genre fueled by creative intrigue. Looking back at Alphaville, it was Bielak's interest in the band that led to his participation. Striking a chord when first commissioning an artist isn't always easy, especially with dueling visions and interests in mind. Here, ideas bounced from one party to the next, and the result is as grand as the last as Bielak's architectural background became an ideal fit for the art deco scattered throughout the scene. "It is precisely his architectural background that makes him such a great fit," shares Ezrin. "We are able to discuss buildings and infrastructures which play a strong role in the band’s sonic and visual art. Art Deco of course is our bread and butter and so he is a perfect fit."
Ezrin and his bandmates live and breathe New York City. The fast-paced lifestyle, the grit, and overall atmospheres experienced in the day to day inform their craft, and upon finally visiting The Big Apple, Bielak too had allowed himself to be inspired. Ezrin continues, "Interestingly enough, between the time of 'Alphaville' and 'Goldstar', Bielak had finally visited New York City. I think witnessing the buildings and grandeur of this place played a large role in this new piece."
Illustrations this expansive in scope, and this detailed in nature, are better felt than on an iPhone screen. They deserve a crisp physical pressing, one that shines in its gatefold format with liner notes and wondrous detail waiting to be uncovered. As owners of Alphaville's physical copy would agree, Imperial Triumphant have mastered the art of the physical release, and it's expected that part two of the Imperial Bielak partnership have the same degree of investment. The theatrical format of the album title and band name at the forefront makes this feel like it was torn out of a Broadway playbill or cigarette box, so we'd be remiss not to recommend its tangible format. The band had their eyes set on this from the start. Ezrin shares, "The physical layout will feel much like opening a pack of cigarettes, particularly evident in the warning labels and vinyl color/stickers. The excitement and refreshing taste of the music will eventually lead you to mortal rot."
Goldstar is the crown jewel of the masked trio, one that amazes at every turn while telling a horrific tale covered in gold. New York City is all that Ezrin ever known as home and for albums that explore the duality of glamorous perception and the dark realities of the lifestyle, it forces him to step back and look at the theme from a different perspective, perhaps forcing vulnerability to strip down the connection he has towards his hometown. It's a view both personal to Ezrin yet universal to the many who inhabit a bustling metropolis. However, instead of wallowing in the madness of it all, Goldstar was built to be embraced and indulged in rather than lamented for the circumstances that inspired it. In Ezrin's closing words: "Greed is good. Drink it all and smoke ‘em all. Listen to 'Goldstar' until it kills you."
Goldstar arrives March 21st via Century Media (Order).
