Crimson Glory - Crimson Glory
Crimson Glory released two classic albums back in the eighties. This is their debut, simply titled Crimson Glory. A monster debut that shows a band with absolutely huge potential. Crimson Glory play their own Powerful and Melodic Heavy Metal with a some progressive tendencies. With a fantastic sense of melody, sharp solos, brilliant compositions and one of the most unique singers ever, Crimson Glory stood out from the crowd back then, and today, there still isn't anybody who sounds quite like them. Though their influence can be heard in many of todays bands, Pagan's Mind and Kamelot are just a few.

Lead singer Midnight, is in himself an experience not to be missed. He is a singer who gives himself 100%. His piercing, high pitched voice is always melodic, and capable of expressing all kinds of emotion. He gives the album a mystical atmosphere that is very special. He also keeps the album interesting, as you never know what to expect next, take fx. the insane screaming laughter introducing Dragon Lady. Midnight has a menacing feel to his voice, which I can only compare to another of my all time favourite singers, Jon Oliva of Savatage.

Valhalla opens the album on an epic note, with a heavy riff and pounding drums. The atmosphere builds as soon as Midnight's voice enters. Right then you know that this is something special. One thing shared by all songs on the album is their extremely melodic nature. While the songs are at no point simple, they are always melodic, and that is one of the strengths of this band. The songs feel very well thought out and put together.

The album has just about everything. Mayday is a fast and furious song, where Midnight's soaring vocals and the powerful guitar attack leaves me breathless. Queen of the masquarade is a heavy, grooving and complex song that works very well. One of my favourites is the powerful mid-tempo song Heart of Steel. The song starts out with Midnight's voice and acoustic guitar, while some emotional guitar solos add to the atmosphere. The atmosphere builds towards the powerful chorus, completely ruled by Midnight's voice. As always, the guitar work is excellent throughout the song.

Azrael starts out slowly, with an enchanting and mystical atmosphere, before it quickly builds to another heavy monster. With a great powerful drive, this song is up there with my favourites. Angels of war is the only song I feel falls a little short of the rest. While it does have some excellent guitar work, the chorus gets a litttle tedious at the end of the song, and overall it doesn't have the same impact as the other songs.

Just when you thought the album was finished the band pulls out a masterpiece with the final song Lost reflection. Lost reflection is a good example of how diverse Crimson Glory can be. Pretty much all the way through the song consists of just an acoustic guitar and Midnight's voice, which fits perfect with the lyrics. It's a true spine chiller that shows a genius at work. What it delivers is a perfect atmosphere of a twisted mind. When the song finally let's go the powerful climax blows me away every time. A perfect song in its very own special way.

Throughout the album the guitar playing of lead guitarist Jon Drenning and Ben Jackson on rythm, is pure brilliance. The way the guitar complements Midnight's high pitched voice in perfect harmony, is like a marriage made in heaven. Melodic solos are abound and loads of little touches, where the guitar plays along, and harmonises with Midnight's voice, are just brilliant. For an example of what I'm talking about, check out the last part of Heart of Steel. This is just one of many...
The drums could have been more interesting and have a very digital computer feel to them. But they serve their purpose well, and keep the music together, along with the clearly audible and well played bass.

The production is not the best in the world. The sound is very clear, but it misses a lot of deepness and heaviness, and feels a little thin. With a perfect production I can only begin to imagine how amazing the album could have sounded.

Unfortunately this album doesn't include lyrics, so I can't go too much into detail with that. Like I mentioned earlier most songs have a mystical quality, and there seems to an abundance of strong female characters in this universe.

There should be room for this album in any metal fan's collection. With many great songs and a few classics, the album still holds up today, but it is not quite on quite the same level as the ingenious follow up, Transcendence.

Favourite Tracks: Valhalla, Heart of Steel, Azrael, Lost Reflection

Written by Steen
Sunday, June 1, 2003
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Ratings

Steen: 8/10

Members: No members have rated this album yet.


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RevelationZ Comments


Comment by Blizzard.gr (Anonymous) - Monday, June 16, 2003
It's The MOst amazing example of US Power-Prog Metal...we're facing a phenomenon;MIDNIGHT-The Only singer in the world who has the untouchable 3-and-a-half-octaves-voice...that was the comment of an opera singer,friend who heard this man
Rate; 12/10


Comment by Georgi (Anonymous) - Monday, June 23, 2003
Lost Reflection & In Dark Places (from Transcendence'88)are out-of-this-world - powerful, beautiful and haunting. No metal band will ever top them. Midnight.. Drenning where are you???


Comment by Barry (Anonymous) - Friday, June 27, 2003
Wow!! Midnight is by far the BEST metal singer of all time!! I pray for his return to the music scene soon. Everyone needs to hear Crimson Glory!!


Comment by s4revok (Anonymous) - Saturday, September 27, 2003
This is an excellent album which gave us an idea of the things to come :)
Though you guys should review the transcendence album.
Transcendence is my no1 of all time albums


Comment by Steen (Staff) - Thursday, October 2, 2003
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Comments: 518
I will definitely review Transcendence at some point in the future. Keep watching the Classic of the month section :) It is my favorite Crimson Glory album.

Posted by Steen (Staff)
Thursday, October 2, 2003

Comment by Crimson Shark (Anonymous) - Monday, June 21, 2004
Excellent!!!


Comment by Crimson Sanctuary (Anonymous) - Thursday, June 24, 2004
Lost Reflection broke my heart every time. When I hear thet song I need to cry... It is ...nooo ... i can't explain that feeleng.


Comment by shredestructor (Anonymous) - Wednesday, June 29, 2005
lo mejor del metal de los 80,pocas bandas realizaran discos como este


Comment by Alanna (Staff) - Wednesday, October 5, 2005
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Comments: 245
I paid some creepy amount of money for this disc back almost ten years ago. It's been worth every penny and a favorite ever since. "Dragon Lady", "Azrael", "Queen of the Masquerade": three sing-a-long classics!

Posted by Alanna (Staff)
Wednesday, October 5, 2005

Comment by mask of the red sharks (Anonymous) - Saturday, March 31, 2007
this album is a classic midnight is fuckin killer all the songs are great dragon lady kicks ass every old metal fan should own this crimson glory rules











Review by Steen
None

Released by
PAR Records - 1986

Tracklisting
01: Valhalla 3:50
02: Dragon Lady 4:26
03: Heart Of Steel 6:13
04: Azrael 5:37
05: Mayday 3:01
06: Queen Of The Masquerade 5:27
07: Angels Of War 5:27
08: Lost Reflection 4:47


Style
Progressive Power Metal

Related links
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Crimson Glory - Official Website

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Ratings
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4 - Below average
5 - Average
6 - Good
7 - Very good
8 - Outstanding
9 - Genius
10 - Masterpiece
666 - Unrated

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