The grand return of CRIMSON GLORY is already two years in the making. It was back in 2023 when three veterans of this iconic band – Jeff Lords on bass, Ben Jackson on rhythm guitar, and Dana Burnell on drums—joined forces with Mark “Borgy” Borgmeyer on lead guitar (ex-STEEL ANGEL) and Travis Wills on lead vocals (INFIDEL RISING, ex-MILLENNIAL REIGN), delivering an exquisite first taste of their work with the release of the single “Triskaideka”.
When talking about a band as influential and legendary as CRIMSON GLORY, one must remember that EVERY reissue of their albums is always good news – their music is a rare gift to any metalhead, an imperishable and unparalleled masterpiece in the history of heavy music.
Considering that it had been at least seven years since we last saw their earth-shattering, self-titled debut “Crimson Glory” and its mind-blowing successor “Transcendence” re-released on CD -and that “Strange And Beautiful”, the last album featuring the late, staggering, one-of-a-kind frontman Midnight (John Patrick McDonald, Jr., RIP), had been out of print for nearly two decades- their 2025 reissue by Cherry Red, as the band’s “The Roadrunner Years” collection, is an absolutely major event that should NOT go unnoticed!
And with the band now officially announcing nearly a dozen shows for early 2025 across multiple European countries as well as Houston, Texas, the timing couldn’t be more perfect – a great opportunity to blast these legendary albums through our sound systems before witnessing them live, carrying forward their invaluable musical legacy in their own unique, awe-inspiring way.
Starting their journey back in 1979 under the name PIERCED ARROW, the band transformed into BEOWULF in 1982 before finally settling on CRIMSON GLORY, with a stable lineup that included the phenomenal and enigmatic frontman Midnight. Seeking to stand out and craft a unique identity, the band members performed wearing metallic masks, giving them a mysterious and ethereal presence.
It didn’t take long for CRIMSON GLORY to prove they were making a real difference in the global metal scene, managing to tour internationally with massive acts like METALLICA, UDO, DORO, ANTHRAX, QUEENSRŸCHE, and OZZY OSBOURNE.
The lead single “Lonely” from the album “Transcendence” earned the band airplay on MTV, bringing them widespread recognition. Unfortunately, after “Strange And Beautiful” , and before the supporting tour could even begin, Midnight left—not only the band but the entire music scene—for nearly a decade.
This reissue, featuring the three albums from CRIMSON GLORY’s astonishing first five years, celebrates the legacy of a band that stood shoulder to shoulder with their legendary Florida associates, SAVATAGE, and helped shape the very foundation of melodic US Power Metal. This collection includes liner notes by writer Darren Sadler, who conducted brand-new interviews with Jeff Lords, along with photos and archival material from his personal collection.
Notably, the first CD includes the bonus track “Dream Dancer”, while the second CD features a remix of “Lonely”. Not that it really matters! No gimmicks are needed to enhance the significance of this re-release; this is a 31-track, three-disc set of SUCH MAGNIFICENTLY WRITTEN metal songs that calling even a single one of them filler would be utter blasphemy. CRIMSON GLORY’s first three full-length studio albums, originally released via Roadrunner Records, are ABSOLUTE MASTERPIECES, and every self-respecting metalhead should own them!
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I wanted to write a few words about this release for several reasons. Surely not because of the reason that the material of this release is something not familiar or unknown to most metalheads out there. On the contrary, almost every metal fan, younger or older, knows already the name CRIMSON GLORY and their first couple of albums. If not, if there is someone reading these lines and has not listened to the first two albums of the band, should stop know reading these lines and buy this release immediately to listen first and then continue reading.
This release contains three albums, with the two of them standing as monuments and milestones in heavy metal music. Some prefer the debut, while some other prefer the sophomore album. For me personally, the debut album of CRIMSON GLORY, that was released in 1986, is in my favourite best 10 albums of heavy metal list and one of the albums I love the most and have listened to hundreds of times.
Furthermore, this release is important because the band is really active again, touring around the world after many years and ready to release a brand-new full-length album with a new singer (Travis Wills) that has a very good voice and can sing the old material the way they should be singed, which is something extremely difficult.
I am writing that because the voice of Midnight, the original singer of the band, who is no longer among us, since he passed away in 2009, is for me, maybe the best voice of heavy metal of all times. This is not something easy to mention, especially when we have listened in heavy metal music to many marvellous singers such as Rob Halford, Geoff Tate, King Diamond and Bruce Dickinson.
Midnight (John Patrick McDonald, Jr.), was one of a kind. An exceptional singer, with an extraordinary voice that approached so closely the word perfection. He had a heavenly timber of voice, that could perform in low notes and in high pitched notes with an equal excellence. An expressive and dramatic voice that it felt like it was talking to the soul of the listener. A heavenly voice that it was at the same time masculine and child sensitive, at the same time angelic and demonic, lifting the listener to the sky and in the next second throwing him to melancholy.
There is no need to start talking about each and every song of the debut self-titled album. It is an absolute masterpiece. It contains my personal favorite CRIMSON GLORY song of all time, which is the song ‘’Azrael’’ and gives me goose bumps every time I listened to that, even though I have listened it thousands of times. The same goes also for songs such as ‘’Valhalla’’, ‘’Heart of Steel’’, ‘’Dragon Lady’’, ‘’Lost Reflection’’, although the rest of the songs are also unique and incomparable. The guys with the silver masks, that used to wear back in the time to hide their faces and identity, had offered to our music the first strike of their perfection. This group was composed from the following members: Midnight (vocals), Jon Drenning (guitar), Ben Jackson (guitar), Jeff Lords (bass) and Dana Burnell (drums).
The sophomore album ‘’Transcendence’’ is another milestone of heavy metal music and some fans consider it that as their favourite CRIMSON GLORY album. It is a really one-of-a-kind breakthrough US Power Metal album, with songs that have a more progressive touch and approach the ultimate brilliance in a slightly different way than the debut album. The line-up remained the same as in the debut, strong and solid.
With this album of 1988, the band achieved their peak of popularity – recognition and the videoclip for ‘’Lonely’’ was an MTV favourite.
The songs, the guitar riffs, the anthemic harmonies of ‘’Transcendence’’ are out of this planet. Another masterwork that will shine to the eternity of this music. I wonder how many words are there to describe pure perfection! Again, like in the debut album, it’s extremely difficult, if not impossible, to highlight specific songs that stand out the rest.
The outstanding song writing, the perfect vocal performance and the harmonic transcendent expression prevail from beginning to the end. A piece of supreme art, full of classic songs such as ‘’Lady of Winter’’, ‘’Red Sharks’’, ‘’Painted Skies’’, ‘’Masque of the Red Death’’, ‘’In Dark Places’’, just to mention some song titles that are everlasting love for me and many other metalheads. Of course, I could continue, until I would have mentioned all the songs, since they are all pure diamonds.
The third CD of the release contains ‘’Strange and Beautiful’’, the third full-length album of CRIMSON GLORY that was released in 1991, an album that was and still is, very controversial for many reasons.
First of all, there were line-up changes. Ben Jackson and Dana Burnell quit the band, the silver face masks were abandoned and the sound changed dramatically, towards a more commercial hard rock direction. Shortly after the release of the album, Midnight also left the band and after the tour for the album with a different singer, the band split up, leading to an inglorious sad ending of the first historic era of the band, the one with Midnight as the vocalist.
Everybody can understand the disappointment there was at the time at the fans, after two perfect albums, that were succeeded by a third album that was indeed ‘’Strange’’ but felt ‘’Not at All Beautiful’’ at the time. After 34 years that have gone since then and listening now the album, from a different perspective, I can tell that is a very good hard-rock album, which becomes even better with the voice of Midnight. This would be the last time he would sing for CRIMSON GLORY discographically and this has indeed a historic value itself.
Songs such as ‘’Strange and Beautiful’’, ‘’Love and Dreams’’, ‘’The Chant’’, ‘’Star Chamber’’, ‘’Deep Inside Your Heart’’, are among other good ones, really fine songs that today, we can listen to them very pleasantly but 34 years ago felt as a horrible disappointment for the die-hard fans.
As an epilogue to my presentation of this release, I can tell only this. If you do not own a physical copy of the aforementioned albums, make the best present to yourselves and grab this boxed-set, since it contains albums that EVERY heavy metal fan, MUST have into their personal collection.
Bersekeros
When the email from Chris Papadakis, Forgotten Scroll editor – in – chief and dear friend, about taking part in this review hit my inbox, at first I was dumbfounded. “CRIMSON GLORY – The Roadrunner Years” is a big deal. Both for me personally, as well as for the heavy metal scene in general. What is there to say about these iconic first three albums that hasn’t been said before? The answer is not much and rightfully so, considering their magnitude and importance. So, without trying to reinvent the wheel on these certified classics, let me walk you through my thoughts on this monumental release.
The first thing that hits you when you press play is the sound quality. From the get go this is one of the key elements of this three disc set. The sound feels very crisp and clean. You can hear everything on the original mix and each instrument is given space to breathe. In a time where the easy – access to streaming has for many sidelined physical media, let me impress upon you this: the sound in these CDs is a considerable improvement on the versions of these albums that are available on streaming platforms, and you don’t have to be an audiophile to hear the difference.
Now onto the music. Up first is the self titled debut, CRIMSON GLORY. This is one of the pillars of the uspm genre, a fundamental listening for the heavy metal enthusiast. Considered by many as the band’s finest hour, the album opens with the epic Valhalla, and the rest is history. The record is grand, epic and powerful, prime examples being the incredible riffing in Azrael and the aggressive Mayday. However, that is far from the entire picture. CRIMSON GLORY is also highly emotional and grounded, from the anthemic Heart of Steel to the heart wrenching Lost Reflection.
Last but definitely not least, his record introduced the gift that answers to the name Midnight to the world. The first contact with his soaring vocals is nothing short of a revelation. With a characteristic complexion across his entire range and ear shattering high notes, Midnight is a highlight in every single one of these 3 albums. These were all the albums this enigmatic and troubled frontman got to record with the band, but they remain a testament to his greatness.
Adorned with the Japanese artwork for the cult science fiction horror film Lifeforce on the cover, CRIMSON GLORY’s sophomore album, Transcendence, is up next. Remember when I mentioned fans believe the debut to be the band’s magnum opus? Well, this here is the other very strong contender for that title. Possibly the favorite album of yours truly, Transcendence is just that: transcendental. The band continues on the same path as before, epic and powerful uspm. For me personally, this album feels more emotionally charged than its predecessor. Of course, CRIMSON GLORY is firing on all cylinders with bombastic, goose bump inducing anthems, like the iconic Red Sharks and Masque of the Red Death.(The latter continuing a motif of masque themed songs, following the first album’s Queen of the Masquerade, perhaps a nod to the bands unique and elegant masked appearance). But the more sentimental tracks here also steal the spotlight. Painted Skies, Lonely and Burning Bridges all hit the unsuspecting listener straight through the heart, with their charismatic songwriting and Midnight’s breath – taking performance. The original closing track, aptly also titled Transcendence, brilliantly gives the listener space to breathe and reflect on what he has just experienced, offering a wonderfully melancholic and almost nostalgic closure.
The third and final album included in this release is 1991’s Strange and Beautiful. This marks a fundamental shift in CRIMSON GLORY’s sound. A bold move, it shocked fans when it was first released, leaving many in confusion. Time, however has granted it absolution, as it is nowadays hailed as a great album in its own right. The strong prog – power approach of the first two albums gives way to a more hard rock oriented, yet still progressive sound. There is a hint of a glam-esque approach here, both in a lyrical context (In the Mood) as well as a musical one (the Chant), but delivered in a classy, CRMSON GLORY-like way. As mentioned beforehand, this is Midnight’s last work with the band and he shines here as well. The album’s tone does not call for his characteristic high notes, but allows him to showcase his range and his second – to – none personality as a vocalist.
Again, the case of these albums is very unique. There is little that hasn’t been written about them and still words can’t do them justice. One has to experience them first hand and this release is a prime opportunity to do so in their full glory. For fans of the band we should also note that this release comes with exclusive interviews with bassist Jeff Lords and rare photos and material from his own personal archive. Seeing as the band has always been shrouded in a sense of mystery, this is a wonderful chance to learn more about these masters of our favorite music.
‘’The Roadrunner Years’’ Boxed-set will be released on the 21st of March 2025 by Cherry Red Records and will include 3 CDs.
CLraven
Check the discussion about the album in our forum pages.