Midnight had solidified himself in the tier of top-notch metal vocalists right there with Eric Adams and J.D. Kimball!! So sad that we lost two of those great singers, we all miss you Midnight!!!
I was a heavy metal radio DJ for years and I played Crimson Glory almost every week on the show. I've been a fan since the first time I heard them on the radio program Metal Shop with Charlie Kendall when their first album came out in the 80's. Years later I became a DJ and contacted Midnight on his Myspace page. His girlfriend at the time was gracious enough to pass on the messages to him that I wanted to do an artist spotlight on him and he was all up for it but then he got that DUI and later on passed away. I still wish it could have happened because he was one of my favorite vocalists in metal of all time back then and still is to this day. He sent me copies of his solo albums M and Sakada for the show which I still have. I fixed Crimson Glory's live performances of the '89 show and posted them on my old channel as well as my new one here on RU-vid because if anyone deserved to be heard live it was Midnight and the band in their prime. Just a shame a good video of it was never released. Thanks for using that footage in this video, it sounds great. Not only was Midnight a great vocalist but a generous person too. I know his surviving daughter checks out RU-vid for videos about her father so I hope she sees this one. Well done!
Transcendence was one of the most well written, well produced, well preformed, well executed albums of the 80s, 90s or ANY metal era. Painted Skies In Dark Places Everything
Jon Drenning is such an underrated guitarist, he is one of my main influences and inspiration still today, his phrasing and legato licks are just mind-blowing!!!!
The band with their first and second album went far ahead of their time. A singer, the mother of such a child once in a million years. I am very glad that someone remembered this band at this time. Big applause and greetings from Serbia.
I think Astronomica is very underrated. The songs are well written, creative and a nice release considering the state of American music in the late 90s.
@@MarkDrumzEntertainment from Wikipedia: Astronomica is the fourth and final studio album by the American progressive metal band Crimson Glory, released in 1999 via Spitfire Records (USA) and Rising Sun (Europe).
Yes, you are correct I made a mistake I thought we were discussing Transcendence not Astronomica.@@jjerg. I know this I've been a fan since the very beginning, and I'm friends with the band. They are friends of mine.
That's awesome! I remember being a fledgling metal head in the mid 80s and being introduced to CG. They're the reason why I got into Queensryche and progressive metal as a whole. Never met them nor did I ever get to see them live. 🤘🏼
@@mumu-ib5vk what are you talking about? The drums were totally real on the second album I’ve seen them play both albums live about 500 times I’m from Sarasota Florida where the band is from. I used to watch them practice every weekend.
Jeff Lords' playing on Transcendence taught me a lot about playing bass. The way he locked in with the drums was amazing. Whoever mixed that album did a fantastic job. I got to see them in a small club and meet them after the show in '88.
It's a great band, I really don't know why they couldn't reach the amount of success they deserved, awesome guitar work in the first two albums and the vocals, wow!! From another galaxy... thanks for the video, I've been waiting for someone to give C.G. credit for their great musical work, waiting for reviews with Icon, Kick Axe, Dokken, Savatage, etc...
One of the best bands ever in the history of metal! I'm from Florida originally and love this band and really miss singers like this midnight, todd, geoff, wade, ect..
@@MetalSchoolChannel Especially the Mix between modern / known and underrated classics is great. I was about 18 when playing it and I learned about so many great Bands. The good Thing I about underrated bands: I got the first crimson glory on vinyl for under 10 bucks.
I have to give you applaud for the work you put in these videos and especially how good they are, i love that you play some example songs as you talk about albums etc, rock on!🤘🏻
My friend and ex-bandmate introduced me to the music of Crimson Glory . Later on called and asked me to come to a show , That they were opening for Crimson Glory . "My friend and bassist Keith Menser would later join Iced Earth for a short stint ". Told me that when his band was in NYC that they called the wrong room in the hotel , It was members of Crimson Glory and they got together for a mini-tour in 89 . When he told me about opening up for Crimson Glory .. Hell yeah , I'm There !! .. It was a small club in Baltimore .Probably 70-80 people there . So everywhere was front row !!! Crimson Glory rocked that little club and sounded great . The first album couldn't be found in any record store , But at the gig you could buy one right from the band . Which I did " . .Crimson Glory was right down the vein of music I loved the most at the time . Queensryche , Fates Warning . Their first 2 albums I loved , The 3rd was change I wasn't fully receptive of but it grew on me and after all these years I never really gave the 4th a chance . I always hoped they would somewhat return to their roots , After Midnight passed I thought it was over , But to my surprise Todd was a perfect fit and I thought . Crimson Glory is back . It's understandable that music changes , we grow older , have families , some back away from the music scene and pursue different paths .I cherish the music they made in the 80's
Awesome story.Was that band by chance Mystic Force?I can't believe I never noticed that Keith was in the Dark saga album. I lived in Hbg Pa and turned 21 in 91 went to Hammerjaxx several times.Saw Mystic Force there.
@@jenniferthomas999 Yes .. The band was Mystic Force . I was the founding guitar player in 83-84 with Keith ... I quit because I didn't feel I had the talent LOL ..I can almost remember the day Keith and I tried to come up with a band name . He came up with Mystic Force and wouldn't budge on it ,When I told him I was moving and leaving the Baltimore area . We stopped in a music store and noticed a flyer " 2 guitarist in need of a bass player " .. Here .. Call these guys !! .. So he called and they became Mystic Force . I never went to see them play at Hammerjacks but I know they seemingly always opened for Fates Warning when in town . I asked Keith what happened with Iced Earth . I remember him saying Jon Shaffer was a dick . LOOL . I was excited for him that opportunity knocked . Proud of my friend for becoming a great bassist and pursuing his dreams . We have stayed in touch through the years and always said I should have stuck with it because I was a good songwriter " Which I had a hard time believing "LOL . All the years I lived in Baltimore I only went to Hammerjack's once . In 84 , Keith told me that Queensryche was playing there that night . Five bucks at the door , I got a barstool up top , on the right side of the stage and during the song " Take Hold of The Flame " Geoff Tate climbed up and stayed with me during the lead . Last time I talked to Keith was a few months ago . I let him know I was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer .Back to that night with Mystic Force opening up for Crimson Glory and seeing my buddy on stage with them .. It was a moment .When I first met Keith . He was 15 and I was 18 and I came from a part of the state of Maryland where we had no access to music besides Barry Manilow and Abba . Moved to Baltimore and he introduced me to a whole world of bands . My last funny story with my friend . We used to go to record stores around town and buy a record each . If we read about the band in Kerrang or Hit Parader we'd drop a few bucks and experiment on a new band . I remember picking out one of a band I never heard " Metallica Ride The Lightning and he picked out Grim Reaper , See You in Hell .. Went to his room . fired up the bong and dropped the needle on Metallica . Both looked at each other .. What Th" .. ..Whenever through the years before the internet . I'd call " Keith . Give me some bands to check out !" I could go on for hours . Keith introduced me to Crimson Glory's music .
Wade's voice perfectly fits Astronomica, in my opinion. Love his voice on that record and not only. He brought CG back to life which was incredible. All due respect.
I love Crimson Glory. The Metal band that you have only heard of if you are really into the genre. They never broke big but my favorite album from them is Strange & Beautiful. And I Love the album cover as well!
You can say what you will about Midnight. But, the man did his best to stay true his mystique. It had me thinking about the pro wrestling term kayfabe. Breaking kayfabe is breaking character or the illusion. Then I see him with a "Just Bring It!" shirt like The Rock used to wear.
Thank you for this video. Crimson Glory is a band I completely missed in the eighties. I definitely intend to do my homework. I like what I'm hearing. Plus you're music video interpretations never fails to make me laugh. ✌
I remember being psyched about how great the third album would be, as I imagined it being "Transcendence" on steroids. After hearing how they changed their sound on "Strange and Beautiful", I really quit following them. Thanks for the heads up about "Astronomica"; I didn't realize that album existed.
My sister use to live in Fl and was friends with the band. When she came home she gave me a tape of their first album before it was released. Only thing my sister ever gave me that was worth anything. Love their first two albums.
It´s very different kind of "Metal" at first..... (any of "Metal" there...) Was a unexpected surprise forme in that days.... But after a few months of intense listenning that year, that album becomes to my favorite! (Yes, No Metal..... more "Hard Rock"..... But I love that Music arrangements too, The Vocals, the Guitars are Amazing as always, and the Drum/Percussion work, the female chorus.... :-) The band was always ahead of his time, and Midnight out of this world: Then and Now! (like the Freddie Mercury of Metal)
I dismiss them because I thought they were not good but I regret it now when I watch this video...they're an amazing band and it's sad the original singer passed away and couldn't do more songs and albums...but I'm sure to listen and buy their albums now 😁
Transcendence is probably my all time favourite album. I wish they would have all stayed together and knocked out a few more albums like this. Midnight is sadly missed
I remember walking into a record store in Germany, and they had the just released Crimson Glory debut on. I was... stunned. Bought it right away (just had birthday and the money). What an album. On the level with all the great Queensryche albums. The vocals... beyond great.
Good call. I really tried to get into Savatage, there is do much that didn't work for me but the likes of Wake of magellan and dead winter dead some of the tracks really worked! I'd be interested to see their history.
OMG yesss!!! Crimson Glory is one of my favorite bands ever! I am so glad I found this! Thank you MetalSchool for shedding some light on this incredibly underrated band!
Their first 2 albums were astounding... I saw them live in the Transcendence era (Aardschokdag in Holland) and they blew my mind live!! The albums' sound hasn't aged well, I think. A remix or good remaster, to bring them into the 21st century, would be great. No3, Strange And Beautiful, is still a strong album - just stylistically different.
I like this band a lot, they were very melodic and my first time hearing or seeing this band was the Lonely video on VH1 Classic Metal hour. I was instantly hooked
I had the privilege of seeing the two best bands from my home turf of the Tampa Bay, Bradenton area play the clubs before they hit it on the national/international stage. CG as Beowulf and Savatage as Avatar. I was a huge fan of both bands before so many people even knew who they were. Man! I’m freakin’ old. 😂
I live in and grew up in Sarasota - I’ve run into the guys around town and they’ve always been down-to-earth. I was at the “Astronomica” release which was awesome!
They're back together now with a new vocalist and new guitarist to replace Jon Drenning. In fact, they're announced to play at Hell's Heroes next year in Houston, Texas for those interested.
Missed them the first time round.I have enjoyed metal from around the time they were formed but somehow they eluded me.Just started watching their vids a couple of months ago and just wow.I have managed to track down a copy of each of their first two albums on CD( European pressings), from the time they were first released in the UK.I can't stop listening,they are absolutely incredible. Thanks for posting this informative video.
Huge respect for Wade Black, I was speaking to Tim "Ripper" Owens about Wade many years ago now when I was supporting Tim in Melbourne Australia and he had nothing but great things to say about Wade and regards him as one of Heavy Metals great singers. Crimson Glory were also Label mates of mine when the Astronomica album was released, I remember getting from the label the CD, posters Tshirts etc well in advance of it release to the public, I was so blown anyway to be signed to the same label (Nuclear Blast Germany) as a band that inspired me and jump started my music career in the late 80's.
That’s awesome! Yeah, Wade must have some chops if he’s consistently working with so many bands. I checked out some Lucian Blaque and thought it was pretty cool. Sometimes music and a particular voice just don’t line up right.
Saw the only and last performance of "Strange And Beautiful" with Midnight singing at The Rock-It Club in Tampa in 91. Great performance but wouldn't have known that would be the last time.
Was a late to the CG party up until several years ago. What a great band they were. Really could hear the emotion in his voice. He was so exceptional. Picked up the album of his that was released a few years after his death. So dark and nothing like CG, but I'm glad I got. Might have to dig a little to find but was able to, I think was actually someone with ties. M2 Descending into Madness, 3 disc album. Like I said, dark, sad but still a worthy listen!
@@tinnerthom Dan Wexler and Stephen Clifford did an interview about a year ago (full in bloom I think) and said that the original Icon lineup was getting back together and doing an album
Thanks for the walk down memory lane. I loved this band back in the 80s. Really wore out 'Painted Sky' as well as the entire "Trancendence" LP on my record player.
I love Transcendence and still listen to it today. Sadly I never got to see them live. Perhaps I should give Strange & Beautiful another spin. I remember wondering at the time if it was even the same band...
