CRIMSON STORM have been around for more than 15 years, since it’s a band that was founded back in 2009 in Sardinia (Italy) by the guitarist Lögan Heads. After some line-up changes and a few warming up releases (EP, demo, singles), ‘’the hour has struck 12’’ for their debut full – length album that has the title ‘’Livin’ On the Bad Side’’.
The first impression before listening to the album, came from the old-school cover- art. I am, personally, really fond of these ‘80s aesthetics. It needs to be highlighted that it was created by the artist Stanislav Atanasov (Oldschool Crew). The company is responsible for many amazing old-school covers in the albums of multiple metal bands such as RIOT CITY, ANTIOCH, BLAZON STONE, SACRED, SKULLWINX, the cover of the forthcoming album of CLAYMOREAN etc., just to name a few of them.
Proceeding to the music of the album itself, after the short ‘’Night of the Tyrant’’ intro track, the listener is facing a total outburst of Speed Metal energy that was ‘’lurking’’’ in the corner, armed and ready to ‘’explode’’.
‘’Raging Eyes of Darkness’’ is unleashing a furious devastating force of power of galloping riffs, accompanied with the voice of Pau Correas that is totally reminiscent of Bruce Dickinson’s timbre and air-raid siren sound, especially in the ‘’Be Quick or Be Dead’’ IRON MAIDEN’s song of the ‘’Fear of the Dark’’ album era. A slight difference is that here the song evolves to an anthemic chorus with a very hooking melody.
The ’’canvas’’ of the album is ‘’painted’’ throughout, with the same appropriate sound-pattern in the songs that follow, which is translated into fast songs, edgy guitar riffs by Lögan Heads, solid rhythm section by the bassist Aless Oppossed and drummer Pol Esteban Sánchez, inspiring melodies and anthemic fist pumping choruses. It needs to be mentioned, that a pinch of ‘80s Glam Metal flair is also present, in some of the songs, such as the masterfully crafted ‘’Abuse of Power’’ or ‘’Nightmare Deceiver’’.
Discussing about influences or sound similarities, we can mention some old bands like RAVEN, RIOT, EXCITER and other newer bands like for example AIR RAID, SPEEDTRAP, the early STRIKER albums and AMBUSH.
The unstoppable steel attack of the band unravels in less than 35 minutes, with a relentless pace of exploding dynamites and responsible for this persistent headbanging and fist-raising annihilation are songs such as the self-explanatory ‘’Speed Hammerin’ Metal’’, ‘’Headfükker’’, the beautiful song ‘’Seven Days of Mayhem’’ with the Spanish lyrics and the NWOBHM style ‘’Harakiri Rendez-vous’’.
Definitely, what we have here is, an undoubtfully strong and successful debut album by CRIMSON STORM. Although it is too early in the new year (2025), I believe the album will be a strong candidate for many ‘’best of year’’ lists.
‘’ Livin’ On The Bad Side’’ has been released on the 14th of January 2025 by Fighter Records and is available on LP, CD and Digital format.
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Check the discussion about the album in our forum pages.