Crimson Glory
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Crimson Glory |
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Crimson Glory is a Progressive metal band from the USA which formed in the early 1980s.
Biography
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Crimson Glory began life in Sarasota, Florida in 1982 under the moniker 'Beowulf'. They rehearsed diligently, finding and developing their sound for almost four years before recording their self-titled debut album on Par Records in 1986. This would later be re-issued after signing on with their new label, Roadrunner Records. Tight dual-lead harmonies and soaring vocals would feature prominently on this release, as well as the follow-up, "Transcendence".
In an era of sound-and-lookalike metal bands, Crimson Glory's goal was to have themselves be immediately identifiable from the others, so they wore full-face metallic silver masks on-stage, as well as for all photo shoots and public appearances. The mystically-named vocalist, Midnight, was the exception to this, as his mask left his mouth uncovered.
Their sophomore release, “Transcendence” was a landmark and it garnered them much-deserved praise and attention, both at home and abroad. While on tour in support of their self-titled debut album, they discovered how hot the masks would be on stage. To keep the mystique, they cut them down into a partial “Phantom of the Opera” style. (However, after this tour, the masks would be permanently retired.)
While touring behind "Transcendence", they performed live in front of 5000 faithful, screaming fans at the Manatee Civic Center in their hometown of Bradenton, Florida on Sept. 2, 1989. This concert was simul-cast across America on Z Rock Radio. In addition, the band performed at the 1989 Tampa Bay Music Awards and walked away with three awards that night – Most Outstanding Male Vocalist, Most Outstanding Local Release and Most Outstanding Metal Band (beating fellow Florida band Savatage for this one). It was after this tour that drummer Dana Burnell and guitarist Ben Jackson left the group. Together, they would go on to form the group Parish.
Burnell would be replaced by Ravi Jahkotia in 1991, who brought a decidedly more “tribal” feel to the band and the material they would write for their next album was more 'hard rock' oriented and based more upon drum grooves as opposed to guitar riffs, on which their first two albums were largely based. It signified a bold and definite shift away from the metal sound upon which the band had built their reputation. It was at this time the band continued on as a four-piece.
The revamped group was then signed to Atlantic Records and released their third album, entitled "Strange and Beautiful". Prior to the start of the tour, vocalist Midnight departed as well, dropping into a self-imposed exile for almost a decade before anyone heard from him again. Guitarist Jon Drenning recruited vocalist David Van Landing as a replacement for Midnight on what would be a short-lived tour. Drenning would then move the band to Van Landing's home state of Arizona and regroup the band twice - first as ‘Crush', and then as 'Erotic Liquid Culture’. They would release one album under each name and both are out of print and much sought-after by fans. In 1998, after an almost five year hiatus, Drenning would move back to Florida and reform Crimson Glory. He welcomed Ben Jackson back into the band and found a replacement for Midnight in the form of Wade Black, formerly of Lucian Blaque (1991-1995), Seven Witches (2000-2002), Leash Law (2004) and Leatherwolf (2006). This incarnation of the group would release “Astronomica” and following a brief tour, would go on hiatus again. Ben Jackson and Midnight have since launched solo careers.
Answering the demand of the fan base, affectionately referred to by the band as the ‘Crimson Militia’, Drenning reunited all the original members: vocalist Midnight, guitarist Ben Jackson, bassist Jeff Lords and after much secrecy and to the delight of the fans, drummer Dana Burnell. A surprising addition has been the inclusion of former Astronomica tour drummer Jesse Rojas, now backing up the group in live performances on percussion and some lead vocal work. The band signed with Black Lotus Records for a new DVD of the Sept. 1989 concert in Bradenton, as well as a re-release of the two first albums. Black Lotus Records has since gone under and the material was never released. Unfortunately, the reunion was not to last. In late January 2007, citing personal differences, Crimson Glory once more parted ways with singer Midnight. After Midnight's dismissal, former vocalist Wade Black was brought back into the fold, but the band has since only played a few shows. Future plans remain unclear and the band is apparently on hiatus yet again as they search for a label. Jon Drenning's decision to return to school to pursue a career in Nuclear Medicine also has some bearing on this.
Discography
Albums
- Crimson Glory (1986)
- Transcendence (1988)
- Strange and Beautiful (1991)
- Astronomica (1999)
Singles
- Dream Dancer (1986)
- Lady of Winter (1988)
- Where Dragons Rule (1988)
- Lonely (1988)
- Song For Angels (1991)
- The Chant (1991)
EP
- War of the Worlds (2000)
Current Line-up
- Wade Black - Vocals (1999-2000, 2007-)
- Jon Drenning - Guitar (1982-present)
- Ben Jackson - Guitar (1982-1990, 1999-present)
- Jeff Lords - Bass (1982-present)
- Dana Burnell - Drums (1986-1989, 2005-present)
- Jesse Rojas - Astronomica tour drummer (2000) 2006-2007 touring member
Former members
- Johnny Zahner - Keyboards (1989) ["Transcendence" touring member, co-writing credit on the song "Lonely".]
- David Van Landing - Vocals (1991-1992) (Replaced Midnight for the "Strange and Beautiful" tour; contributed backing vocals on "Astronomica".)
- Steve Wacholz - Drums (1999) Formerly of Savatage. (Although pictured on the "Astronomica" album, he did not play on it.)
- Ravi Jakhotia - Drums (1991-1992)
- Midnight - Vocals (1986-1991, 2005-2007)