The Quill – In Triumph (Deluxe Edition)

by Mark 'Yeti' Richard · May 21, 2025

The Quill is a hard stoner rocking/ heavy metal band from Sweden. They formed in the early 1990s by singer Magnus Ekwall, guitarist Christian Carlsson, drummer George Atlagic, organist Anders Haglund (who left the band) and bassist Peter Holm. Peter Holm parted ways at the end of 1993 and was replaced by Roger Nilsson. The lineup went through several changes throughout the years. Their pretty substantial discography includes: 1995’s Self Titled, 1999’s Silver Haze, 2002’s Voodoo Caravan, 2003’s Hooray! It’s A Deathtrip, 2006’s In Triumph, 2011’s Full Circle, 2013’s Tiger Blood, 2017’s Born From Fire, 2021’s Earthrise, 2022’s Live, New, Borrowed, Blue, and their latest, 2024’s Wheel of Illusion. The Quill just re-released their fifth album, 2006’s In Triumph on April 7th 2025, on Metalville Records. It contains thirteen tracks spanning fifty five minutes.

When I first heard In Triumph back in late 2006/early 2007, for whatever reason, it didn’t move me too much. I didn’t really give it a fair chance and moved on quickly from it. Then when I found out that the original vocalist Magnus Ekwall left the band after that album, I didn’t bother revisiting it. When he returned to The Quill for 2017’s awesome Born From Fire, I was back to following the band full on. Last year’s excellent Wheel Of Illusion (review here) album was one of my first reviews for this blog. I don’t feel the band gets enough credit for their place in the now heavily saturated heavy rock scene in Sweden. I decided to give In Triumph (Deluxe Edition) another chance since my reconnection with the band and I’m sure glad I did because it totally rocks! It sounds great since it’s been remastered for this release also. It makes me wonder what was going through my head back then.

From the rocking opener “Keep The Circle Whole” to the second track “Yeah”, The Quill was in top form all along. Ekwall’s soaring vocals match up perfectly with the band’s heavy metal and hard rocking sound. “Slave/Master” has all the dynamic elements that makes the band so compelling. Melody matched with fuzz charged grooves are in abundance. “Broken Man” has a simple but rocking essence that works extremely well, showcasing Akwall’s powerful vocals in full display. “Man In Mind” has a stomping rhythm that captures the rocking fury that makes the band so enticing. The catchy chorus hooks and rock solid riffing is all there.

The sixth track “Merciless Room” has an airy beginning that starts off slowly. The song stays grounded but has excellent structure and guitar leads. “Trespass” livens things up in a rocking romping of riffs and melodies alike. “Black” has a southern rock vibe with a clean guitar entry that cranks out a dose of passionate rock. The bluesy guitar leads make way for a mellow transition expressing Ekwall’s fantastic singing prowess. “No Light On The Dark Side” starts with pounding drums that erupt into a mid pacing drive of guitar riffing. It’s another great song combining all the musical ingredients that makes The Quill so appealing. “Triumph Is A Sea Of Flames” has a grandiose guitar crunch that makes way for the more melody rocking groove.

“In The Shadows” begins with clean guitars backed by excellent and expressive vocals. The music is played with strict precision and stays straightforward throughout, utilizing brilliant melodies that the band are so keen on delivering. It is followed by the vivacious rocker that is called “Down”. More fantastic blending of heavy rocking mixed with melody. The final song on the In Triumph (Deluxe Edition) is called “Rock N’ Roll Might Be Dead”. This is a bonus track that was not on the original but it rips! It’s a catchy rager of rock glory and a great addition to this deluxe version. It’s a fantastic closing song that concludes the first wave of The Quill with Magnus Ekwall as the vocalist. The band parted ways with him and then recruited Magnus Arnar to sing on 2011’s Full Circle and 2013’s Tiger Blood. I could never really connect with those two albums and was happy to hear that Akwall returned to the band thereafter. In Triumph is a wonderful record that has made its way back into my collection. I appreciate it with a new curiosity and passion for excellent hard driving rock, infused with melody and groove.