Gazinwales Top 50 Albums - v. #29 Bloody Red Sharks!

[wolfking]

For whatever unknown reason, TGCD has never fully clicked for me, while I like it, I never would put it anywhere near my top 5 Katatonia records.

Agree.

[Kwyjibo]

TGCD was my first real exposure to Katatonia, that probably plays into it why I like it so much.

[Evermind]

Where's Lethean and why hasn't he posted here yet?

[gazinwales]

29.
Crimson Glory
Transcendence
Heavy Metal

Roadrunner Records 1989

1   Lady Of Winter   4:00
2   Red Sharks  4:52
3   Painted Skies   5:16
4   Masque Of The Red Death  4:15
5   In Dark Places   7:03
6   Where Dragons Rule   5:07
7   Lonely  5:18
8   Burning Bridges   6:32
9   Eternal World   3:54
10   Transcendence   4:34



Band line up

Bass – Jeff Lords
Drums – Dana Burnell
Lead Guitar – Jon Drenning
Rhythm Guitar – Ben Jackson
Vocals – Midnight

Ah this album brings back so many good memories of the golden era of metal in the 1980's.
It was a cold winter's day in Weston-supa-Mare, England, I was visiting relatives and I went into 'Ourprice' music shop and bought this LP for 9.99UKP.
Though I wouldn't be able to play the record for a few weeks until I returned home to Australia, I remember the wait to hear this being rather longer than it actually was.

So what's makes this album so special? One word Midnight! The legendary singer who's distinct high pitched vocals were a trademark of Crimson Glory's first two albums.
While the self titled CG debut album was a solid if not too spectacular effort, nothing could prepare me for what would come next in 'Transcendence'.

Arguably Midnight's finest hour (well 51 minutes to be precise) this album has stood the test of time in nearly all aspects.
The album's sound does have a slight '1980's' production style, with the drums quite high in the mix, but everything else is well balanced.
Compared to some of the horrible modern metal sounding albums, where the drums are almost inaudible, hearing them here is indeed a pleasure rather than a distraction.

But none of this would matter if the songs weren't strong and this album has 10 songs that are all top notch.
Of course there is the out and out headbangers 'Red Sharks' the lush sounds of 'Painted Skies' and the progressive tones of 'Painted Skies', this album has it all
with numerous different flavours added to keep this interesting and more to the point highlighting Midnight's extraordinary voice.

I almost forgot the band's image from this era, wearing those hideous masks, see the video's below, I guess it was an 1980's thing?
Sadly this would be Crimson Glory's one and only close-to-masterpiece album, the follow up was a complete disaster.

Live In Florida 1989 (Pro Shot) https://youtu.be/vd9NaMEw5J8
Lonely https://youtu.be/BH3h0OS84tM
Painted Skies https://youtu.be/72C-P2pBnj0

[Lowdz]

Excellent album. Yes, i admit I was drawn to it by the cover, but it's an excellent piece of early progressive metal.
Agree about it being by far their best but I have a soft spot for Strange & Beautiful, although the style was very different.
I guess the masks were just a bit to stand out and as I never saw them live or their video back in the day I didn't really care. And I'm a KISS fan so anything goes in that department I guess.

[wolfking]

Knew what album this was going to be from that thread title.  Amazing metal album and there's nothing really weak here.  I love Lonely too though, great crossover tune. 

[bl5150]

Made my Top 50 too    

[Zoom E]

Transcendence is a brilliant album. I have it in both vinyl and CD format.  It would probably make my top 50 too.