Triumph
The Sport Of Kings
Rare & Collectible Vinyl Records

1986 Original in shrink with colored inner sleeve. Released in 1986, "The Sport of Kings" is the seventh studio album by Canadian rock band Triumph. The album arrived during a period of significant transition for the band, both creatively and internally. Departing from their earlier, heavier progressive rock roots, Triumph embraced a more polished, radio-friendly sound on this record, in line with mid-1980s trends. The album’s production involved outside musicians, including session drummer Rick Santers, due to internal discord and the limited participation of original drummer Gil Moore on the recording. This shift in approach contributed to a different sonic character, blending the band's signature anthemic style with synthesizer-driven arrangements and a commercial rock sheen.

From a historical perspective, "The Sport of Kings" reflects the pressures facing rock acts in the mid-1980s as they navigated changing tastes and the increasing influence of MTV and mainstream radio. The single "Somebody’s Out There" became Triumph's biggest US hit, reaching the Billboard Top 40 and receiving significant video airplay. Despite its success, the album was marked by underlying creative tensions, particularly between guitarist Rik Emmett and the rest of the band, which would eventually lead to Emmett's departure a few years later. "The Sport of Kings" thus stands as a pivotal moment in Triumph's discography, encapsulating both their bid for mainstream acceptance and the strains that came with evolving artistic directions.