Imperial Triumphant's Zachary Ezrin Plays His Favorite Riffs

#ImperialTriumphant frontman Zachary Ezrin plays his favorite #guitar #riffs in this episode of #Loudwire's #GearFactor.
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#Metal #DeathMetal #Alphaville

[@ImperialTriumphant]

Thank you Loudwire! To those curious, Zachary plays a Jackson KV2 USA (heavily gilded) with Avedissian Pickups, 24k gold Optima strings (.10-.46) , and gold Floyd Rose into an original Peavy 5150 head and Mesa 4x10 cab.

[@siddharthasiddhibajrachary4400]

Well I can't afford it but thank u for sharing

[@DBSG1976]

Thanks, I was curious about the pickups.

[@ImperialTriumphant]

@@DBSG1976 it's a custom wound railsplitter with gold H covers to make it look like TV jones

[@Astral_Wave]

A 4x10 bass cab? Either way, what speakers? Pedals?

[@jdbradford5661]

@@ImperialTriumphant what tuning do you play in?

[@crawlingamongthestars3736]

Bringing the avant garde black metal to the masses, huh Loudwire? Nice.

[@eclatshwartzbaumcybertune2063]

Finally!

[@puddynuts]

Dude. As a guitarist I have never seen ANY guitar player bend a string off the fingerboard onto the back side of the neck. While it’s a completely niche thing, I am blown away at his inventiveness and ability to access any and all sounds that are possible. Honestly, that little thing that added to his riff is more mind-blowing than watching Jason Becker or and other shredder do their thing.

[@garrettboomerbender]

Mike Stringer from Spirit Box does it in Belcarra

[@jackpfiester5013]

Percy Jones from Brand X has been doing it on bass for decades.

[@dis.infectant]

Never heard Attitude Song apparently. 1984.

[@franlovelsimic8421]

One of the most unique guitarists of today! Glad Loudwire are showcasing him and IT, about damn time! Have Aseitas and Pyrrhon featured down the line!

[@TheSlackassCrew]

The first time I heard this band was when behemoth did their live stream. I was hooked ever since

[@carlosvonbismarck1217]

Yeah exactly the same here. I love how they mix jazz and extreme metal.

[@zenobass5925]

YES, FINALLY SOMEBODY TALKING ABOUT THEM

[@GODCORRUPTED]

this guy is a fucking genius

[@disturbiafromthebay]

I just started listening to Imperial Triumphant a few months ago, they a freakin sick!!!

[@matthewwalsh974]

Super creative musicianship. This guy is definitely cut from the same cloth as Deathspell Omega (hearing a lot of Fas influence here) and Portal.

[@magusking9215]

The neighbors must love him

[@eclatshwartzbaumcybertune2063]

I get what you mean lol . What if they do lol

[@fromthesky1050]

I know my neighbors do.

[@sw3dishla8rat]

Hooked here too since listening to Alphaville for the first time! Brilliant!

[@eclatshwartzbaumcybertune2063]

Love that album

[@joesmith9216]

AMAZING, really good influences, lots of variation.

[@JCridford]

I love Zachary's playing, and Imperial Triumphant have become a new favourite; I discovered them a month ago and picked up everything they've done. My favourite thing - other than the incredibly inventive music - is how cool they seem without the masks on. No corny 'we're so evil' stuff, just a guy you could go for a beer with and nerd out on records and guitars. His appreciation of different musical styles is admirable, and his tremolo bar control is insane.

[@notan23]

Me: I love that riff from Excelsior, but I bet there's some weird technice used that I don't hear. Ilya: Nah, just bend the string off the fucking neck. Oh...!

[@iannolan2979]

The way he uses the Floyd on the Russian folk song reminds me a lot of a slide. Interesting how that sound transfers

[@ethanhernandez4603]

That Sushi Noz shirt mad hard flex, casually rocking Michelin Star merch, respect 🙌

[@merkin771]

24K strings sounds interesting! love the band love the Jackson, I cherish my Jackson Soloist! hope to see Imperial Triumphant live!

[@alexvaz5210]

02:08 to 02:40 ❤ Saw Imperial last year at Portugal, what amazing live band they are... they have this Avant Garde sound, what strange feeling that was. Cheers...

[@OnIoN4UrTrUbLeS]

I fucking love immortal! First time i listened to your band i was like this stuff is out of control but controlled chaos! Brilliant!!!

[@yungkoopa8998]

He kinda looks like that guitarist from Dexter's laboratory. Lol

[@kadenzook3826]

HE DOES OH MY GOSH

[@MIZORAM_mafaka_hnamte]

his name is *Val Hallen*

[@eclatshwartzbaumcybertune2063]

Ah yes!

[@cbgkorn]

great band if you're into the avant garde side of metal

[@FlyingV555]

I’m not. But hey to each his own.

[@keplerarpeggios3215]

best riff : the silver thinkers: the 17 million ! Best solo: the silver thinkers: firefly sailor light!! EPIC!!!!

[@bellmeisterful]

What its avant garde...anyone?

[@billybobthekidiswack]

@@bellmeisterful Avant garde is a style of "music" popularized by Penderecki, Xenakis, Harry partch etc.

[@tomaszkaminski6495]

@@billybobthekidiswack Avant garde is not any "style", its an approach/attitude to music and other arts. Yep, it resulted with a lot of great stuff, including Xenakis ofc. Saying its "not music" (or simply "music" instead of music) is like being your own old uncle who tolerates only Glenn Miller as "proper music" and saying "metal is not music" ;)

[@DreamPurpleFloyd]

Dude that reinterpretation of Foxy Lady was just evil

[@bqbhhhh]

kudos to Loudwire for having a ny underground legend

[@Youtubeissokewl]

I like how his favorite riffs are his own. Based.

[@IAmAleksha]

One of the best and most interesting guitarists in metal at the moment; a true inspiration.

[@hersheypants731]

Have you checked out his work with Andromeda for Folterkammer? That album is fucking 🔥

[@thijspostma5031]

Casually mentions he has 24 karat gold strings on his guitar

[@Hydrolysis_Moment]

*string snaps*

[@acolddarkgentlebruh8205]

How much money does this band have? I know some of the members are Jewish, but like....

[@meowmymix3957]

@@acolddarkgentlebruh8205 stringsbymail has 24k optima strings for 30 dollars a pack it looks like. Thought they would be more

[@acolddarkgentlebruh8205]

@@meowmymix3957 Oh right, kay.

[@arjay4397]

@@acolddarkgentlebruh8205 just openly being anti semitic, aight

[@jennyguitar]

Oh hell yeah 🤟🔥 Wait that Jackson guitar is beautiful!! Holy shit🎸

[@martinkorn2668]

Do not swear kiddo

[@jennyguitar]

@@martinkorn2668 shit happens.....

[@outtasightouttamind6263]

This band should experiment with microtonal frets

[@paveantelic7876]

opinion: microtonality doesnt translate well to extreme metal

[@outtasightouttamind6263]

@@paveantelic7876 I dont think you've listened to enough microtonal extreme metal

[@paveantelic7876]

@@outtasightouttamind6263 i've listened to jute gyte, victory over the sun and one "microtonal" death metal band whose name i cant remember. i think the microtonal element just gets lost in all the distortion and fast playing

[@biscobisco1882]

@@paveantelic7876 You're absolutely right, the other guy wants to seem in-the-know by bringing up a trendy musical gimmick, but what exactly are microtonal frets going to add? 1) You can quite literally hit any microtonal note on a typical 24 fret set-up simply by bending the strings. 2) The same can be achieved with a hard palm mute, a pitch-shifting pedal or using the old My Bloody Valentine whammy strum 3) IT already have zero problem getting dissonance and atonality out of their typical guitar set-ups, microtonal notes aren't going to provide any particularly interesting harmonies for any listener that doesn't have perfect pitch.

[@paveantelic7876]

@@biscobisco1882 that's exactly right. I feel like microtones need to be treated as a spice, to notice it the best. if you write a whole song while constantly using microtonality it's just gonna sound out of tune

[@degradacja]

lovely!

[@yin8079]

that bend arppegio thing is so fye

[@71771PAULTHEWALLOFSOUND]

I just listened to a track called "Atomic age", really good. I like the guitar style alot, not a style that I could give a name to, maybe "freaky break bend" 🤷‍♂️. I like the unpredictable style that goes well with the vocals etc. Definitely a band to look into imo.

[@JoseRivera-un2td]

I hated it. You must resent your parents for bringing you into this world. Like I resent mine.

[@71771PAULTHEWALLOFSOUND]

@@JoseRivera-un2td 😆

[@locriam2878]

@@JoseRivera-un2td ese es normal, eres latino, cierto?

[@heroinbath1877]

I saw them at a 200 cap venue in Pittsburgh a few days ago and it was fucking insane.

[@WitchWithin]

Love it ...linZ

[@MerlinShow]

Не ожидал "Подмосковные вечера" услышать после таких вещей, как Хендрикс и Иммортал)

[@ricjenner1120]

What song is that Immortal riff from ?

[@johnconner5329]

It’s the second riff in battles in the north

[@michael-tx8rw]

i really like obiesance. new stuff rips too, just different

[@PrimoSchnevi]

Nice guest!

[@shawndang8753]

Yo loudwire put mario duplantier on a hello kity drum

[@pablopinnola5960]

Son geniales!!

[@PeopleLeeks]

Это лучший гитарист, всех времён.

[@strangeskills]

whats dat tune? mean guitar is tuning in ?

[@dominikweber4305]

Pls come to germany when the covid times are over

[@bugtrapper]

That sushi noz shirt

[@Nealdrox325]

Alphaville so damn good!

[@keplerarpeggios3215]

best riff : the silver thinkers: the 17 million ! Best solo: the silver thinkers: firefly sailor light!! EPIC!!!!

[@markcannell9339]

🤘🖤💀🖤🤘

[@UroboricNate]

Really dig Imperial, that rendition of foxy lady by hendrix was an abomination.

[@JordansAnalysis]

I actually like it, he adds a bit of a dissonant touch

[@flashanddancedj]

They are good not totally my cup of tea however I have listened to a few songs after In Absentia Dea

[@Jeffmetal42]

Someone take that man's trem bar away from him! Just kidding, I love this band. Music is dope, but the entire picture of what their trying to get across is what cemented my love for them. Very interesting stuff for sure.

[@realIkeaMan]

Hello people

[@eclatshwartzbaumcybertune2063]

Hi!

[@notan23]

How in the hell do you bend a string and make the note go lower?!

[@erikh1038]

one of the benefits of sticking a floyd on a guitar and not locking the tuning. the other option would be pushing the neck forward like jake e lee does but the problem of course is everything goes lower

[@Bietel]

Way over my head, sir. But I'm really trying to understand and feel what you are doing here. Now there is something I don't get, technically. To move each finger individually bending strings is way beyond me, I will have to accept that (for now), But then, at 6'46" it looks like you are pushing UP a string but lowering the note - and I don't see you using the tremolo. What's going on? Please?

[@keplerarpeggios3215]

best riff : the silver thinkers: the 17 million ! Best solo: the silver thinkers: firefly sailor light!! EPIC!!!!

[@rolick354]

Podmoskovniye vechera is so sweet!

[@bmca2]

Your sick man 😜😂

[@travistoole]

What are the chances a regular "bedroom" guitarist can submit one of these videos?

[@FlyingV555]

Low

[@travistoole]

@@FlyingV555 Still a chance

[@SIRebrum]

No Chance in Hell

[@s.t.a.l.k.e.r1051]

Бедолага!

[@DemonSlide]

Love Imperial Triumphant. Anyone here wanting more awesome likeminded music go check out Vitral - Asíntota right now. kzbin.info/www/bejne/j3LJY5-jjcxqirM Kick ass proggy experimental stuff from 2016 already becoming a classic in itself.

[@satarello]

thisa is interesting..

[@antonkomkov9762]

Подмосковный вечер топ

[@braxton2452]

AJ GOOD showed me this band

[@smote_his_ruin]

Immortal is the best black metal band ever, I agree.

[@spencerpeck1864]

Haha

[@steveprinter7084]

Sorry but HAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAA

[@AUM_-po9sc]

Absolutely like their "Vile Luxury" album, but "Alphaville" was kinda meh..But if they will come with gigs to our part of the world - I'll still go

[@jasontodd5953]

Quit touching your hair!!!....Shit drives me crazy.

[@xruraldustx]

😄

[@justanotherguitarplayer9767]

24k gold strings 😆😆😆. Won't be long now till someone comes out with a 24k gold guitar and some idiot starts using it because he thinks it makes his tone better.

[@AzAtHoTh1666]

I think the strings are golden just to fit their art deco outfits and general style. As the whole hardware and scratchplate on the Jackson.

[@abracadabra769]

Barry Linden 🤯✌️☮️ Handel... Tout le reste c'est de la merde... Désolé, je ne suis pas ton ami 🥸

[@maz4786]

I'm never listening to IT again

[@crawlingamongthestars3736]

Why?

[@skottcoucill8343]

@@crawlingamongthestars3736 because they are shit.

[@pallbearer1175]

@@skottcoucill8343 just say you don’t understand avant garde

[@JoseRivera-un2td]

I don't like anything played by that guitar so far. I dont know if it's the guitar or the player.

[@jameswardo666]

Dude totally, every time he plays something I'm left thinking are you joking. It was humorous when he was like , this riff off our album is so nasty, then played some goofy sounding crap. And lay off the damn tremelo sometimes guy wtf, Yeah my string are gold and I have a floyd rose, 👎

[@justanotherguitarplayer9767]

It's the guitar and the player.. And those corny fucking 24k gold strings!

[@Addede]

@@jameswardo666 It's extreme avant-garde black metal. Not for everyone

[@justanotherguitarplayer9767]

@@Addede You can say that again. I tried listening to 1 or 2 of their most viewed videos of YT, and I just kinda snickered half the time wondering what they were saying, let alone playing 😂. I love other types of metal bands. I guess you could say more mainstream older ones like Metallica, Megadeth, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest... Even Slayer I can get into... But I can't get into this Cannibal Corpse, Lamb of God, Gwar, Behemoth type shit. Which is what this Triumphant Elephant band reminds me of.

[@tranquil87]

@@justanotherguitarplayer9767 go back to your glam metal dude

[@sitingaisah8703]

Clown

[@eclatshwartzbaumcybertune2063]

?

[@jesuschristlovesyou726]

Jesus Christ is coming soon to rapture his people repent and accept him as Lord and savior ✝️♥️🙌🙏

[@dominikweber4305]

Spammin' for jesus

[@dominikweber4305]

Dimebag is coming soon to rapture his fellow metalheads and slay all kpop lovers! Repent and accept him as the lord of all shredders!

[@Niamorg1007]

Oh yeah, Jesus is such a chill and merciful chap

[@outtasightouttamind6263]

He has abandoned us

[@TheE23slack]

Jesus hates his bootlicking follwers....

[@davidrobinson4291]

this guy is very bad at guitar.

[@crawlingamongthestars3736]

You have no idea what you're talking about. Look into avant garde jazz and classical music, and bands like Portal and Deathspell Omega, and then get back to us, because that's what's influencing this sort of music here. Not saying this guy is the greatest of all time or anything, but to say he's "very bad"...

[@andreasdeutinger7319]

you mean bad in the sense of „cool, kicks ass and rocks!?“ yes, then he is bad. like in total badass, badmotherf€€&!

[@jameswardo666]

I agree, this guy is lame

[@crawlingamongthestars3736]

James McKeown You have to try to understand the context of this music. He's plays in an avant garde black metal band with a heavy avant garde jazz influence. In this sort of music, dissonance and atonality are deliberately utilized to create an otherworldly, weird, disturbing atmosphere. They are purposefully thinking outside the box and trying to push the limits of what is musically possible. The idea is not to engage in typical, pleasant, tried and true melodic exercises with pretty harmonizations, it's the exact opposite actually, for the most part, but generally to be able to get to this level one first must understand conventional melody, harmony, phrasing, time signatures, etc. It's not like they are just a bunch of kids beating on their instruments haphazardly. They are formally educated and trained musicians. Look up playthrough videos that they've posted of their songs. I think the drummer in particular, Kenny Grohowski, is incredibly talented. He's a highly accomplished jazz percussionist. I would agree in this video demonstration here the guitarist goes out of time a bit (and the 24 karat gold strings are showy and pretentious in my opinion), particularly on the tremolo picked black metal-esque lines, but it is usually pretty difficult to keep perfect time with really fast tremolo picking like that without a click track, metronome or drums to back it up, but still he does a pretty decent job of it. I think it's not that this music lacks legitimacy, but that it simply doesn't appeal to you, which is fine, but just because something doesn't appeal to you, doesn't make it bad. I suppose you are not much interested in black metal, or avant garde jazz and classical music, are you?

[@justanotherguitarplayer9767]

@@crawlingamongthestars3736 Formally educated and trained musicians 😆😆😆? How so?? They ARE just a bunch of kids banging around on their guitars haphazardly. I have always thought I was bad at guitar. This guy REALLY takes the cake. Avant garde classical black white green metal. Idgaf. This kid has barely half a clue what he's even talking about trying to sound like he knows what parts are in his guitar, let alone trying to play. You can tell he likely has someone doing it all for him. Besides that, he thinks he's playing some "filthy" riffs, but somehow doesn't realize that his whole guitar is so badly intonated it's not even funny. Every note or chord he plays sounds like sloppy spaghetti because of it. His mids must be set at either 10 or fucking 2 on the Peavey. I have a Peavey Ultra 60(which is the predecessor to his Peavey 5150), and I couldn't get it to sound that bad if I cranked all my settings to the right and threw it out the fucking window!! I'm sorry, but either he's slow or his guitar tech is. Honestly, Justin bieber or Miley cyrus is better. And I really don't like new age pop b.s. It's the bottom of the barrel imo.. Or so I thought. I have finally found something musically that is worse than that.

[@TheseBitchesWantNikes]

Inspirational