Triumvirat was a German progressive rock trio that formed in 1969 in Cologne, Germany. The founding members were: keyboardist/composer Hans-Jürgen (later simply Jürgen) Fritz, drummer/lyricist Hans Bathelt, and bassist Werner Frangenberg.

In German and French, Triumvirat is the word for a Triumvirate, from Latin, meaning “of three men”.

During its early years, Triumvirat initially played Top 40 songs at local venues in Cologne. The Nice and Emerson, Lake and Palmer heavily influenced Triumvirat’s musical direction and the band incorporated some of Nice/ELP music into their repertoire (Rondo among others). In fact, at the height of their fame during the 70’s prog rock era, Triumvirat was often referred to as the ‘German Emerson, Lake & Palmer’ or ‘ELP clone’ due to Fritz’s classical virtuosity on keyboards and synthesizers.

In the early 1970s, the band sent a demo tape to EMI Records in Cologne and won their first record contract. Triumvirat subsequently produced modestly successful albums during the early to mid-1970s, including Mediterranean Tales: Across The Waters and Illusions on a Double Dimple and toured the United States with Fleetwood Mac to support Illusions on a Double Dimple, playing the album in its entirety. In 1975, Triumvirat reached the apex of their commercial success with the release of Spartacus, which is considered by many as a classic “prog rock” masterpiece album, along with Illusions on a Double Dimple.

The band underwent numerous personnel changes over the course of its life and eventually disbanded in 1980 with the release of their final album Russian Roulette.  You should read the official biography of the group at their website.

March to the Eternal City:

(Dusty Road/Road/Italian Improvisation/First Success)

http://djallyn.org/media/March-to-the-Eternal-City_Triumvirat.flv

Dusty Road
Marching on a dusty road
They are on their way to Rome
Countless slaves to go to war
And they are fighting not alone

On their way so confident
They are carrying missile and spear
The desperation disappeared
And victory is near

In the sea of blood and bones
Sands of time stand still
Dying on the dirty road
Spartacus has come to kill

First Success
On their way so confident
They are carrying missile and spear
The desperation disappeared
And victory is near

• Audio from the 1975 album, Spartacus:

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