Crimson Glory - 'Astronomica'
                                                                                                              released in 1999 on Spitfire Records
THE BAND:
Wade Black - vocal                                       
Jon Drenning - lead guitar
Ben Jackson - rhythm guitar                            
Jeff Lords - bass
Steve 'doc' Wacholz - Drums

         Band members Jon Denning, Ben Jackson, and Jeff Lords originally formed Crimson Glory in 1982 under the name Beowulf. After changing their name to Crimson Glory they spent the next for years rehearsing and developing their own distinctive look and sound to what would become their 1986 self-titled release on Roadrunner Records in Europe.

         After tours through Holland and parts of Germany the band release their much-anticipated follow up "Transcendence" in 1989 for Road Runner Records (Europe) and MCA Records (USA). This second release spawned the groups first hit single "Lonely" a song that was in the top of the charts for several American marketing areas. After several successful American, Japanese, and European tours opening for such acts as Metallica, Ozzy, and Queensrhyce . The band hit the studio to record their third release for Atlantic Records

          After Crimson Glory's release "Strange & Beautiful" on Atlantic Records in 1992 and the headlining club tour that followed. The band members went their separate ways taking a hiatus to pursue other musical interests. The band's primary songwriters Jon Drenning and Jeff Lords formed the projects Erotic Liquid Culture (which also features vocalist David Van Landing - Michael Schenker) and Crush with drummer Ravi Jakhotia. Ben Jackson formed the bands Parrish and the Ben Jackson Group. Former lead vocalist Midnight retired from the music business to pursue other interest.

         In 1996 band members Jon & Jeff knew it was time to reunite Crimson Glory with one exception to recruit vocalist Wade Black as front man, and drummer Steve Wacholz (Savatage).

TRACK BY TRACK:
1.) "March To Glory"- This kicks off several World War II radio clips. After several seconds of this along with random machine gun fire the drummer start playing a war type drum march. The guitar and bass kick in next in an almost Yngwie Malsteen fashion.
2.) "War Of The Worlds" - The first thing I noticed about this track was the vocal tracks and how the change from a sing to a scream type sound within each lyric line. This song is real powerful and has a instrumentalist type guitar solo (Satriani, Malsteen, etc)
3.) "New World Machine" - this one has very heavy drums and bass along with a twin guitar intro. The song in whole reminded me of a cross between Judas Priest "Painkillers" and Doro's song "All We Are".
4.) "Astronomica" - The first semi-ballad, the lead guitar rhythm pattern follows along with the lyrical arrangement. In a strange was the vocals on this one reminded me a lot of Mark Slaughter from the group Slaughter.
5.) "Edge Of Forever" -This track has a twin guitar pattern intro. This is just a laid back jamming song that really shows the groups writing and arranging talent.
6.) "Touch of the Sun" - This track starts off with an Egyptian sounding intro that leads into a Steve Vai sounding guitar pattern. This one also has excellent vocals.
7.) "Lucifer's Hammer" - This track has Steve Vai all over it.
8.) "The Other Side Of Midnight" - This track will probably go down as the best well-written and arranged song of all-time for me. (I know what you thinking I may eat those words!) But this track has it all great guitar patterns, haunting vocals, and a great rhythm section.
9.) "Cyber-Christ" -
10.) "Cydonia" - This one has great guitar & Drum patterns. It also is very melodic and catchy.

As a former musician myself, this CD was easy to get into because of the appreciation and hard work I know it took to make. Every musician should take the time to listen to this CD. I give it 4 out of 5 stars.