Customer Reviews

Crimson Glory

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One of the best things about metal in the early 80's, particularly American metal, was the sense of "anything's possible" that so many bands embraced. It was perfectly reasonable for bands to wear armor onstage, slay giant dragons, or sport matching silver masks and have a lead singer called Midnight. As long as the quality of the music outweighed whatever image the band cultivated, bands could be as creative as they wanted, and this creativity would help define the energy of the still-developing metal movement.

Crimson Glory may have gained initial attention due to their masks and Midnight's mysterious persona, but their music was what made fans really take notice. The band's self-titled 1986 debut album is an incredibly strong power metal album, drawing influence not only from Iron Maiden and Judas Priest, but contemporaries like Queensryche and Fates Warning as well. The driving forces behind this release are Jon Drenning's frenetic guitar playing and superb songwriting skills, as well as Midnight's high-pitched banshee's wail. I love each of the first three Crimson Glory albums; each for different reasons. Still, I think that their debut album is the band's strongest overall album. Every song is amazing, and the album just seems to radiate that great 80's metal energy. I don't know if I'd go so far as to call it a progressive metal album, but it's definitely a power metal album with progressive elements.

Though it doesn't get anywhere near the praise that it is due, this album is the blueprint for many a current, fantasy-inspired, technically proficient power metal band. If you're into power metal at all, then this isn't even an optional purchase. It is an absolute must have album.

Edition Notes: Metal Mind reissued Crimson Glory in 2008. The reissue - a numbered edition limited to 2,000 copies - comes housed in a digipack with expanded liner notes, digitally remastered sound, and the rare b-side "Dream Dancer" added as a bonus track. The sound quality is the main reason to buy this reissue, as it's a big improvement over the original. Metal Mind also reissued Transcendence and Strange & Beautiful. Rating: 5/5

"What makes a band unique? For some it's merely the music, while others point out lyrics, live performances or the group's image. But whichever is your pick, know this - Crimson Glory has it all. Simply one of the most underrated and overlooked bands in the history of the progressive metal genre, Crimson Glory is like a hidden treasure waiting to be revealed by new generations of metal maniacs. Their stunning self-titled debut album to this day remains a strong example of skillfully composed and passionate music. Catchy guitar riffs, intense drumming, incredible vocals - you name it, they got it. Get ready for the experience of your life....

Crimson Glory was formed in 1982 in Sarasota, Florida, back then going by the name of Beowulf. The three musicians who started the group were Jon Drenning (guitar), Ben Jackson (guitar) and Jeff Lords (bass). With the addition of Dana Burnell (drums) and Midnight (vocals) the formation changed its name to Crimson Glory and begun working on their own unique musical style. It took them four years to come up with the material which was soon released by Roadrunner and instantly received surprisingly good feedback from both critics and music fans. Surprisingly - because no one really expected such a powerful record from a young, debuting band. Nowadays compared to the likes of early Queensryche, Fates Warning and Fifth Angel, the album contained a thrilling mixture of glam and heavy metal - the songs stretched out from fast, heavy blows ("Mayday", "Angels Of War") to majestic masterpieces ("Valhalla", "Azrael") and beautiful ballads ("Heart Of Steel", "Lost Reflection"). Released in 1986, the album was truly groundbreaking for its time, and years later it can still leave the listener speechless. All tracks feature excellent guitar work by both Drenning and Jackson - violent riffs intertwine with brilliant solos throughout the entire album. Also Burnell's drumming and some of Lords' bass parts deserve applaud, but the real highlight of Crimson Glory is definitely Midnight's vocals. Compared to Rob Halford himself, Midnight proved to be one of the best singers in the history of metal music, able to easily switch between impressive clear vocals and incredibly high pitched shrieks. Songs such as "Mayday" and "Dragon Lady" are the best examples of Midnight's amazing vocal abilities.

However, the songs featured a lot more than just solid vocal lines. The lyrics, usually concentrating on mysterious women or science fiction/astronomy themes, helped to establish a very strong mood of melancholy and sadness, in the same time losing nothing from its majestic form. The mystical atmosphere was strengthened by the band's live shows, during which all of Crimson Glory's members performed wearing characteristic silver masks such as the ones depicted in the album's inlay. With all these elements put together, no wonder their debut album became quite a success - it was a fresh breeze on the metal market and delivered a great dose of charismatic, melodic music.

The follow up album, "Transcendence" (1988), expanded the ideas found in the debut and featured even more epic material, which helped Crimson Glory gather a loyal fellowship of fans, to whom they referred to as The Crimson Militia. Their next album, "Strange And Beautiful" (1991), was a big step forward for the band's music - the epic progressive metal stylistics were confronted with blues and hard rock elements. Although not all fans appreciated this combination, the album was still a success and proved to be a valuable part of Crimson Glory's discography. Unfortunately, after it's release the band broke up and it wasn't until 1999, when a new album saw the day of light. "Astronomica", recorded with a new singer Wade Black and ex-Savatage drummer Steve Wacholz, was a return to the epic progressive /power metal vibes present on the first two albums. Enthusiastically greeted by the fans, it remains the band's last offering to date.

Crimson Glory have long ago carved their name in the history of metal, as their releases still dazzle fans all over the world. The band's self-titled debut proves their unique abilities to deliver fast, heavy and - most of all - passionate music. "Crimson Glory" remains one of the most fascinating albums of the 80's metal scene - if you haven't discovered it yet, this is your chance!

Mere hours after Polish record label Metal Mind Productions announced that it was releasing a limited edition 5-CD box set containing legendary Florida progressive power metal band Crimson Glory's complete catalogue, founding member and lead guitarist Jon Drenning made the following announcement:

"Crimson Glory does not recognize nor sanction the new CD releases or box-sets made by Metal Mind Records (Poland). They are producing our CDs illegally and thus have ZERO rights to market, promote, advertise, release, distribute or sell any of our material; therefore they have ZERO rights to make any profit from our image, likeness or music."

This has been an ongoing battle between Crimson Glory and Metal Mind ever since Roadrunner Records took yet another step in blatantly disregarding the band's legal requests to cease and desist all involvement with Crimson Glory by illegally selling the rights (which they did not possess) to the Polish record company in 2007. It is a glaring example of what a shambles the music industry has become, and it is crucial to the band that their fans recognize the reality of the situation: Since Roadrunner's involvement with Crimson Glory nearly 20 years ago, not a single cent generated from the production, sale, or publishing of ANY Crimson Glory record has been returned to the band.

"We have become disenfranchised from our own music," says Drenning, "with everybody making a profit from our efforts but us! As a group of hard-working dedicated musicians who have now given 25 years of our lives and hearts to this band and this music, it is beyond heart-breaking to watch these companies deliberately break the law and profit from selfish and downright criminal actions. This music is our passion; creating each record has been a labor of love, and what's happening to us and our music right now is frustrating and insulting."

Drenning adds, "We wish to make it perfectly clear to our friends and fans out there, all over the world, that these and any other albums or releases are not being produced or distributed with our permission, and that the money they wish to spend on our records is money that we as a band have earned but will never see until this matter is properly resolved. While we appreciate our fans wanting to purchase our material, it's imperative that everyone out there recognizes that in doing so, they are only helping to make a criminal richer. In the meantime, Crimson Glory is presently negotiating with other labels regarding the remastering, re-releasing and future distribution of all of our material, and anything to do with the band regarding album releases, tour dates, promotional material etc will be shared via official press releases and the Crimson Glory Myspace and Facebook pages ONLY."

Credit for story: Mark Morton at www.examiner.com

As the Reviewer I would like to add: "in my humble opinion, Crimson Glory's debut is the closest the prog-metal genre ever got to perfection. Absolute must-have if you love early Maiden sound (more melodic) with, again... my humble opinion, a supreme vocal talent to the mighty Bruce Dickinson himself! Midnight (John Patrick McDonald, who has since tragically passed away), expressed more emotion singing than most people can feel."

Also, check out their second album, Transcendence, phenomenal.

Today- 7/8/09 "M" is no longer with us.. Let us celebrate the legacy he leaves behind.. Too sad to continue..

This is a must have. Improved sound quality, and the Ultra-rare song Dream Dancer is a great song. Don't even think about it, just buy !

I'm glad I bought this. The remaster is killer and well worth the price. A must for serious collectors of metal and fans of prog-metal.

En 1986 salieron a la luz muchos discos brillantes, conocidos por todos los amantes del metal, como somewhere in time de los DIOSES, pleasure to kill, reign in blood, fatal portrait, peace sells, master of puppets, awaken the guardian, etc. Pero también salieron otros discos no muy recordados pero geniales como epicus doominicus metallicus, energetic disassembly, the deluge y una obra maestra llamada Crimson glory.

Indudablemente es un disco que no debe faltar en tu colección, en esta edición podemos contar con una canción extra.

Este disco es para mi uno de los grandes en la historia del Metal; desde Valhala, pasando por la increible Azrael y terminando (no en esta edición) con la narración de Lost reflection.

si aun no lo tienes pues no sabes lo que te pierdes.