CRIMSON GLORY

CRIMSON GLORY's debut album is a combination of IRON MAIDEN-like guitar, Geoff Tate-like vocals, and even early FATES WARNING-like melodies. If you are a fan of eighties metal and haven't heard these guys yet you owe it to yourself to check out their first two albums.

"Valhalla" is one of my favourites on this album. The melodic twin guitar attack and the screaming vocals of Midnight all spell pleasure. "Dragon Lady" is similar but more uptempo. "Heart Of Steel" has tasteful MAIDEN like guitar melodies and is really a ballad until 1 1/2 minutes in when the tempo speeds up with riffs galore. "Azrael" is another great tune that reminds me of early FATES WARNING until the tempo picks up to a galloping rhythm. Some nice drum work to end it.

"Mayday" opens with a sample of a count down and as the count hits zero CRIMSON takes off flying. This is the craziest, fastest song on the record. Lots of screaming vocals on this one."Queen Of The Masquerade" opens with some great guitar and also features some theatrical vocals. "Angel Of War" has a catchy melody. "Lost Reflection" might be the best tune on the record. It opens with gentle guitar, synths and slow paced theatrical vocals. After 3 minutes the song explodes breifly. Nice contrast ! It ends as it began.

This is one of those albums that will either make you cringe a lot or bring a smile to your face as your taken to a familiar place. I guess I did a little of both. 3.5 stars.