Phil X recently spoke about what it has been like joining Triumph for their upcoming reunion tour, sharing insight into working alongside original guitarist Rik Emmett in a statement to Guitar Player.
The guitarist reflected on his earlier involvement with the band and how the current reunion ultimately came together. “When I was recording with Triumph, it was a weird thing, like, How is this going to work without Rik?” Phil X said. “We only did 11 shows, and then the record got dropped by the label. It was bad timing, because grunge was exploding.”
He went on to explain that the present-day reunion began with a one-off performance tied to an NHL playoff game.
“I didn’t get to know Rik until June of this year,” he continued. “Rik and Gil [Moore, drums] were going to reunite Triumph to play three songs before this NHL playoff game in Edmonton, and they asked me to join them. I contacted Todd [Kerns, bass] and Brent [Fitz, keyboards], and — literally, the night before — we went into this rehearsal space, and played ‘Lay It On the Line,’ ‘Allied Forces’ and ‘Fight the Good Fight.’”
Phil X also praised Emmett’s deep musical knowledge and described the natural chemistry they discovered onstage.
“When we played at the game, the crowd went nuts, and we thought, ‘Wow, maybe we should keep doing this,’” Phil X said. “I gotta tell you, Rik has his phrases and is so funny, and he talks musically. He knows what he’s talking about more than I do. People go, ‘Is that Dorian?’ I’m like, ‘What?’ I don’t know anything. I just do it. [laughs]”
“But that night in Edmonton was the first time we’d played together, and he played his ass off,” he added. “It was so much fun, man. We’re going out for the 50th anniversary next year, and I’m so excited about it. I can’t wait.”
That successful Edmonton appearance ultimately led to a major announcement marking a milestone moment for the Canadian rock veterans. Ultimate Classic Rock reported that Triumph has officially revealed their first full tour in more than 30 years, titled The Rock & Roll Machine Reloaded. The tour is set to launch on April 22, 2026, in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, and will wrap up June 6 in Boston, marking the band’s return to touring after a 33-year absence.
The reunion lineup will include all three original members—Rik Emmett, Gil Moore, and Mike Levine—along with additional musicians. Loudwire confirmed that Phil X will be joined by Brent Fitz on keyboards and Todd Kerns on bass, both of whom currently play with Slash’s band and are on loan from Bon Jovi, creating a six-piece lineup for the anniversary shows.
The tour announcement coincides with Triumph’s 50th anniversary, making the reunion especially meaningful for longtime fans. Eddie Trunk also revealed that April Wine will open all dates on the tour, adding another iconic Canadian rock act to the lineup.
This comeback represents a significant moment for Triumph, who last toured extensively in 1993 before entering a long hiatus. Reuniting for their 50th anniversary underscores the lasting appeal of their music and the strong onstage connection Phil X described stemming from that initial Edmonton performance.
