Artist: CRIMSON GLORY
Album: ASTRONOMICA REMASTERED (2CD DIGI)

Year: 1999/ 2006
Media type: CD

Crimson Glory’s origin reaches all the way to the 80’s, when the band emerged with a dazzling combination of early Queensryche style, fascinating
guitar melodies and distinctive, emotive vocals. The line-up, consisting of Ben Jackson (guitars), Jon Drenning (guitars), Jeff Lords (bass), Dana Burnell (drums) and Midnight (vocals) recorded two albums – Crimson Glory and Transcendence, both bringing the band a large number of devoted
fans, who would be referred to as The Crimson Militia. The unique musical mixture, followed by a characteristic image (all band members wore silver masks) marked the beginning of a prog metal legend. But the band did not wish to be captivated in only one musical style. A revolution was obvious to come.

With their third album, Crimson Glory reached far beyond simple power metal musicianship, replacing it with complex, precise songwriting, controversial both in sound and structure. Strange and Beautiful turned out as an epic musical experience, filled with elements borrowed from prog metal, as well as blues and hard rock. For some fans the band explored far too commercial regions, but others greeted Crimson Glory’s evolution enthusiastically. Unfortunately, after the release of their third LP the group stepped down from the scene for whole six years, in the meantime involving themselves in various musical projects, such as Parish or Erotic Liquid Culture.

It wasn’t until 1997, when Jon Drenning and Jeff Lords decided to reunite Crimson Glory. Ben Jackson’s return was a great start to the process; however it was soon clear that this trio will be the only remaining members of the original line-up, as vocalist Midnight was at that time not interested in recording a new album. Drenning, Lords and Jackson had a tough decision on whom to set as a replacement for the charismatic singer. The final choice was Wade Black, whose vocals sounded much more powerful and aggressive, brining a totally new quality to Crimson Glory’s music. After adjoining ex-Savatage drummer Steve Wacholz the band was ready for a definite comeback.

In 1999 Astronomica saw daylight, much to the anticipation of numerous Crimson Glory fans all over the world. The album proved the band’s great form, being both a nod to the past as well as updated for the present, retaining some of the classic guitar harmonies with a slightly more dynamic approach. After seven years the album still remains a powerful and memorable experience for all prog-metal fans. Although soon after its release Black left the band to front Seven Witches and Leash Law, Crimson Glory did not cease to exist.

Finally reunited with original singer Midnight in 2006, the group is currently preparing a new album for Black Lotus Records. With new material on the brink of releasing, the fans now have a great chance to once again step into the mystical realm of Astronomica, a realm where progressive power
metal reaches its highest peaks.

TRACKLIST CD:

1. March To Glory 2. War Of The Worlds
3. New World Machine
4. Astronomica
5. Edge Of Forever
6. Touch The Sun 7. Luciffer’s Hammer
8. The Other Side of Midnight
9. Cyber-Christ
10. Cydonia

TRACKLIST BONUS CD:

1. War of The worlds - remake
2. Astronomica - demo version
3. Touch of The Sun - demo version
4. Dragon Lady - live
5. Eternal World - live
6.Painted Skies - live
7. Queen of the Masquerade - live
8. Lost Reflection - live