Long before Ghost’s Tobias Forge was but a twinkle in his nameless ghoul’s eye, Crimson Glory’s Midnight was wearing the mask for full theatrical affect. Hailing from the state of humidity, Florida, this is their first album and was released back in ’86. They were often called Queensryche-like by certain sections of the rock press, mainly due to the vocal similarities between the two singers. I know I’m in a minority, but I actually prefer these guys to Queensryche as they were not afraid to call themselves what they were: a metal band.
Valhalla opens up the album and that voice just hits you straight away. Amazing range and those high notes are just insane. Dragon Lady is a great tune and owes more to Iron Maiden for influences than the big Q. Then we get the big power ballad Heart Of Steel, and the Geoff Tate comparisons are there for all to see. Hints of what were to be known as Prog metal are all over this track, and the instrumental section is killer. I love the guitar harmonies! Azrael close out Side 1 and the word epic does not do it justice. A very atmospheric medieval intro that flows into those harmony guitars with that Holy Diver groove driving the song along.
Mayday blows the cobwebs away at the start of Side 2 and this is a full on metal assault. Double kicks and chuggas all the way, and I’m sure a glass broke with those high notes. Definitely my fave track. Queen Of The Masquerade follows, and when they played live this was the centrepiece with all the dramatics. John Drenning’s guitar sounds killer on this piece. Another medieval intro to Angels Of War. A simple choppy riff with amazing vocal harmonies, and another killer middle section. The album closes out with Lost Reflection. An amazing vocal performance on what is, for the most part, an acoustic ballad until the end where someone put a coin in the meter.
An enjoyable metal romp with added theatrics.
9/10 from The Grooveman.
