Ferrum Templor: Powering Up

To celebrate Dissonance Productions‘ box set reissue of the first three albums by Power metal Titans Crimson Glory later this month, I decided to give this month’s Powering up over to a reappraisal of those marvellous albums…

The band carved a unique niche in the metal scene during the mid to late eighties with their distinctive sound and theatrical presentation. And although purists remained unmoved in their love for the first two albums over all else, it was a tribute to the band’s ability to evolve and thrive in sometimes less than fertile musical environments that they have carried on to this day in some form or other, always challenging listeners with their progressively-tinged power. So here we go with a look back at those storied early records…

1. Crimson Glory (1986):
Crimson Glory’s self-titled debut album was a significant introduction to the band’s unique approach to metal. Released on Par Records in the US and later reissued by Roadrunner Records in Europe (guitarist Jon Drenning signed my copy! – Excited Ed), this album marked the band’s intent to stand out in an era where metal bands often blended into each other aesthetically and musically.

The album features a lineup of vocalist Midnight, guitarists Drenning and Ben Jackson, bassist Jeff Lords, and drummer Dana Burnell. It was produced by Dan Johnson, and its sound is characterised by tight dual-lead guitar harmonies, soaring vocals, and a blend of heavy metal with progressive elements. Tracks like Valhalla and Dragon Lady showcase the band’s knack for creating anthemic power metal, while Heart of Steel and the timeless classic Azrael (still one of US power metal’s greatest moments – still excited Ed) display their ability to weave melody with intensity.

The album’s production is noted for its clarity, allowing the intricate guitar work and Midnight’s operatic vocal range to shine. The band’s use of full-face metallic silver masks during performances helped cement their mystique, with only Midnight’s mouth visible to allow for his vocal delivery. Crimson Glory didn’t just introduce the band; it also laid down the foundation for what would become known as progressive metal in America, alongside contemporaries like Queensrÿche and Fates Warning.

2. Transcendence (1988):
Following the acclaim of their debut, the band released Transcendence, often considered their magnum opus. This album was released by MCA Records in the US and Roadrunner Records in Europe and was recorded at the famed Morrisound Studios, a Floridian hub for many metal recordings at the time.

Transcendence expanded on the band’s sound with more complex compositions and deeper lyrical themes. The album starts with the epic March to Glory, setting a tone of grandeur that permeates through the record. Masque of the Red Death is inspired by Edgar Allan Poe‘s tale, blending gothic imagery with heavy metal, while Lonely became the band’s first hit single, featuring a memorable music video and further cementing the band’s reputation for the successful marriage of melody and muscularity.

The album’s music is both aggressive and melodically rich, with songs like Painted Skies and In Dark Places offering a mix of speed and introspection. The technical prowess of the band is evident in tracks like Where Dragons Rule, known for its high octave vocal screeches and complex guitar work. Transcendence was praised for its production quality, vocal performance, and the band’s ability to merge metal with progressive structures, setting a benchmark for the genre.

3. Strange and Beautiful (1991):
With Strange and Beautiful, Crimson Glory took a bold step away from their established sound, introducing a significant stylistic shift towards hard rock and blues influences. Released on Atlantic Records, this album was the last to feature original vocalist Midnight and did not include guitarist Ben Jackson or drummer Dana Burnell, marking a change in the band’s dynamic.
This album introduced new drummer Ravi Jakhotia, whose tribal drumming added a different texture to the band’s sound. Songs like The Chant were co-written with external songwriters, notably hitmaker Marti Fredriksen, reflecting a commercial push, but tracks like Strange and Beautiful and Love and Dreams still retained some of the band’s signature melodic intensity. The album’s title track, Strange and Beautiful, is a standout with its blend of hard rock elements and Crimson Glory’s traditional bombast.

However, this album was met with mixed reactions from fans and critics due to its departure from the band’s progressive metal roots. Despite this, the album contains moments of brilliance, particularly in its more introspective tracks like In the Mood, which explores new musical territories while still showcasing Midnight’s vocal prowess before he left the band prior to the tour in support of the album.

This period saw a significant change in the band’s direction, with the masks being retired and the lineup shifting, which led to a hiatus after that supporting tour. The album, while not as commercially or critically successful as Transcendence, is still an essential piece of Crimson Glory’s discography, illustrating their willingness to evolve and experiment with their musical identity.

In summary, Crimson Glory’s first three albums trace an arc from a powerful, genre-defining debut through a peak of progressive metal mastery to an experimental phase blending in new influences. Each album not only showcases the band’s evolution but also their profound impact on the metal genre, leaving a legacy of innovation, musicality, and theatricality that continues to influence bands to this day. This box set, though low on buy-me rarities or studio curios (only a remixed version of Lonely might spark the interest of completists) is a timely reminder of just how great this band was in it’s heyday and a great, all-in-one starting place if you’ve heard of the band before but not heard any of it’s music and but wondered what all the fuss was about…