With all three albums now on physical CD for the first time, James R Turner reviews the Leeds-based post-rock duo’s back catalogue and new album.
“Arc of Triumph’s approach to getting their point across is to marry the powerful and observant lyrics with strong melodic hooks that pull you in, and allow the songs to stretch and speak for themselves”
Many moons ago, I was pointed in the direction of North Yorkshire-based band Arc of Triumph (Simon Elvin – guitars, keys, vocals and Rory Holl – drums, percussion, bass guitar, vocals) through someone posting about their eponymous debut album online, and me being me & loving some new music, I found myself writing about their debut and reviewing their second album when that was released in 2021. This is how social media should work really connecting music fans organically across country and genre.
Now we’re in 2025 and not only have they released their third album Nothing Works (a title that sums up 2025 so far!) they have also released all three albums on physical CD for the first time, taking the opportunity to rework and remix their 2017 debut. I’ll start my review by looking at their latest album first, before working backwards and looking at their CD reissues.
Four years on from their last album (which was four years on from their debut – there might be a pattern developing here) hard working gigging musicians Simon Elvin & Rory Holl have returned to the rockier sound of their debut on Nothing Works (released in August 2025) – and it certainly gets you hooked from the start with the sax-driven (played by Oly Tipper) Battleharder with some great synth stabs and powerful driving rhythm, which mounts into a satisfying musical crescendo. Wearing their hearts on their sleeves lyrically, there is no silver lining on the clouds here, and the only light in the tunnel is an oncoming train, and this reflective angst lyrically is married to some wistful and beautiful pieces like Edge of Nowhere, Empty Glow.
This lyrical knack of matching some dark and despairing lyrics (which reflect the weight of being alive in 2025) mines a thick vein of English songwriting in the tradition of Ray Davies, Richard Thompson, Chris Difford & Glen Tilbrook and Paul Heaton and it’s a skill they’ve refined since their debut. This mix of melancholy lyrics and cheerful tunes is an insight into the English psyche, turned out nice again, hasn’t it? Well, mustn’t grumble. This reflection of living in modern times has titles like Head on the Anvil rubbing shoulders with So Long Somewhere and Place Holder, the latter starting off in an almost Richard Hawley vein before building with some beautifully understated drumming and lovely guitar sound.
Despite the darkness running through the lyrics, there is a thread of humanity that runs throughout this album, from the warm musical hug of Sadness is a Dandelion, with its late ‘60s vibe, drenched in Hammond-esque keys whilst the closing The Upperhand has some lovely string and piano work that builds and builds into an epic closing ballad, the choral vocals and powerful lyrics ending this album in superb fashion.
The musical vibe throughout the album has a wider palette than the electronica driven minimalism of 2021’s Rampjar, and harks back to the debut with a more organic, warmer sound, softer keys, and its late ’60s sound. Don’t get me wrong though as Arc of Triumph are talented musicians and songwriters, and whilst they wear their musical influences softly, this is no slavish copying of the sound, more a melting pot into which their musical history informs the directions of the songs.
The guitar work is sublime, the harmony vocals are part of their sound, and just like their last two albums, they have created another interesting, arresting, and intelligent musical work of art which whilst sounding nothing like its immediate predecessor is unmistakably and uniquely Arc of Triumph.
Now onto the remastered self-title, originally released in October 2017 and remixed and reissued in September 2025 making its debut on CD, the debut album still stands as a strong piece of work, with its focus on falling empires and human folly it was written in the aftermath of the Brexit referendum, Trump’s first term, and before COVID and the Ukraine war – but this lack of societal responsibility and collapse of the old order runs deep throughout the songs. This is the combination of album as story, history lesson and grand concept, after all those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat.
Arc of Triumph, used as an ironic metaphor rather than a glory seeking name has been tidily spruced up for CD with new artwork, printed lyrics and the sound freshened up and fleshed out that from the original version, with the band utilizing the tricks they’ve learnt over the preceding to enhance rather than rewrite the musical history. Luckily, they’ve not tampered with the running order, so the stall is laid out from track one with some cracking guitar work, beefed up for this reissue and the clever lyrical work and synth sounds of Brick by Brick.
To those of us who know this album, it’s like looking at an old picture whilst wearing new glasses, the comfortable familiarity is there but brought into sharper contrast and bits that we’ve missed are clearer.
Arc of Triumph’s approach to getting their point across is to marry the powerful and observant lyrics with strong melodic hooks that pull you in and allow the songs to stretch and speak for themselves; the message is within the music, and as such it flows far better without ramming the imagery down your throat. Tracks like the brilliant My Town; evoking the fallen Egyptian empires with pyramids as monuments to their ego, punches the musical interpretation of arrogance and pride out with powerful guitar work.
Meanwhile I’ll be Your Eyes is even more relevant now than it was back in 2017, pulling no punches about everything wrong with charismatic right-wing leaders who ‘want their country back’. It is even more uncomfortable listening now – particularly as the flag rhetoric has been driven down our throats everywhere we turn. Sometimes the truth is uncomfortable, and with clearer remastered sound, this message comes through louder than ever and it’s sad how relevant this feels now.
Blending rock, folk, post-rock, indie guitar, vocal harmonies, and progressive keyboard sounds, Arc of Triumph confidently created a unique and captivating musical mix over these ten powerful tracks. Back in 2017 I described this album as ‘definitely a grower; listening on my headphones you slowly absorb the atmosphere, the musical nuances, the intelligent vocals, and the passion’ here in 2025 listening to the remastered CD in all its glory I can confidently state that past me wasn’t wrong, and that listening to this album now is like spending time with an old friend.
Originally released digitally only in March 2021 and making its CD debut here, Rampjaar (Dutch for ‘Disaster year’), saw the due expanding their sound and horizons, and unlike the debut is presented here in its original form.
From the opening Heart of Earth, whose moody synth sounds, textured electronica and organic vocals creates an ambient start to the album, hugely different in sound and tone to their debut, Rampjaar saw the duo experimenting with the sound and form of the songs with a far heavier electronica influence, and longer songs which allowed them to breathe. The ‘less is more’ ethos runs throughout this album, as sparse electronica allows the songs to grow organically, and with its starker sound it certainly stood out in 2021 and still sounds fresh and contemporary today.
In Ahab’s Nightmare, its lyrics inspired by the book Moby Dick and narrated from Captain Ahab’s point of view, reintroduces the guitar from the debut with a powerful riff that help the song grow and develop.
The powerful electronica sounds, in tandem with the duo’s songwriting, create a compelling and mysterious album, that takes its time to grow on you, but which is worth the repeated listening. This approach pays dividends on the seven-minute epic Sleeping in The River. An intricate drum rhythm and sophisticated synth work drives towards its finale and as it builds it gives a heavy electronic riff reminiscent of the BBC Radiophonic workshop.
Closing with Looking Down at the Moon, this big epic finale pulls together the strengths of both of their albums to date. Guitar riffs explode, emotionally honest lyrics and a guitar solo on here that really stands out, helps as this builds to a satisfying crescendo. I think back in 2021 I described as the ‘ultimate slow burner’ and I’m pleased to say again, past me knew what he was on about!
On its release Rampjaar beat the sophomore slump curse, and with their bold change of direction highlighted the band’s versatility, whilst building on the strong songwriting foundations that the debut highlighted. Intelligent lyrics married to outstanding musical work, Rampjaar has stood the test of time, and now, making its belated debut on CD is an album designed for that versatile format, being one that needs to be listened to from start to finish as Arc of Triumph intended, and one which stands out and rewards repeated listening.
If you aren’t familiar with Arc of Triumph, what better way to discover their beguiling back catalogue and new album via the newly pressed CDs?
Arc of Triumph on CD, LP & streaming:
❉ ‘Rampjaar’ Originally released 16 March 2021:CD / Digital Album (Streaming + Download) available via via Bandcamp | LP / CD also available via elasticstage.com
❉ ‘Nothing Works’ Originally released 16 June 2025: CD / Digital Album (Streaming + Download) available via via Bandcamp | LP / CD also available via elasticstage.com
❉ ‘Arc of Triumph’ (Remixed/Remastered 2025) Released 14 July 14, 2025: CD / Digital Album (Streaming + Download) available via via Bandcamp | LP / CD also available via elasticstage.com
❉ Arc of Triumph: Homepage | Bandcamp | Vinyl & CD | BigCartel | Instagram | Facebook
❉ A long time contributor to We Are Cult, James R. Turner is a music and media journalist. Over the last three decades, he has contributed to the Classic Rock Society magazine, BBC online, Albion Online, The Digital Fix, DPRP, Progarchy, ProgRadar and more. James lives in North Somerset with his fiancee Charlotte, their Westie Dilys & Ridgeback Freja, three cats and too many CDs, records & Blu-Rays.
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