Crimson Glory
American progressive metal pioneers from Sarasota, Florida.
Crimson Glory is an American heavy metal band formed in 1983 in Sarasota, Florida, emerging from earlier groups Pierced Arrow and Beowulf. The classic lineup of vocalist Midnight, guitarists Jon Drenning and Ben Jackson, bassist Jeff Lords, and drummer Dana Burnell propelled the band to international fame in the mid-1980s. They are regarded as a pioneer of the American progressive metal movement alongside Queensrÿche, Dream Theater, Fates Warning, and Watchtower.
Quick Facts
- Also known as
- Pierced Arrow (1979–1982), Beowulf (1982–1983)
- Origin
- Sarasota, Florida, U.S.
- Genre
- Heavy metal
- progressive metal
- power metal
- Years active
- 1979–1991; 1999–2000; 2005–2013; 2023–present
- Label
- Roadrunner
- MCA
- Atlantic
- Spitfire
- Associated acts
- Parish
- Crush
- Erotic Liquid Culture
- Sector 9
- Ben Jackson Group
- Dark Matter
- Avenging Benji
- Current members
- Jeff Lords
- Ben Jackson
- Dana Burnell
- Mark Borgmeyer
- Travis Wills
- Past members
- Midnight
- Jon Drenning
- Ravi Jakhotia
- Wade Black
- Steve Wacholz
- Jesse Rojas
- Todd La Torre
Facts from the source article.
Biography
The band began in 1979 as Pierced Arrow with Tony Wise on vocals, Bernardo Hernandez and Ben Jackson on guitars, Glen Barnhardt on bass, and Dana Burnell on drums. Hernandez and Barnhardt were later replaced by Chris Campbell and John Colemorgan, and in early 1982 the name changed to Beowulf. By 1983, further lineup changes brought Jeff Lords back on bass, Jon Drenning on guitar, and Mark Ormes on vocals. After four years of rehearsal, their self-titled debut album was produced by Dan Johnson and released on Par Records in 1986, later reissued on Roadrunner Records. The album featured tight dual-lead harmonies and soaring vocals. The band toured Europe with Celtic Frost and Anthrax, playing at the 1987 Hammersmith Odeon. To stand out, they wore full-face metallic silver masks for all public appearances, with Midnight's mask leaving his mouth uncovered. Their second album, Transcendence, was released on Roadrunner in Europe and MCA in the United States, and included the hit single and music video "Lonely. The album was a landmark in progressive metal, influencing bands such as Cage, Triosphere, and Rhapsody of Fire. Crimson Glory appeared on the cover of Kerrang! magazine in May 1989. They toured North America, Europe, and Japan with Metallica, Ozzy Osbourne, Queensrÿche, U.D.O., Doro, and Anthrax, and played their biggest show at the Metal Hammer Festival in Dortmund, Germany, in front of 20,000 fans in spring 1990.
Side projects
In March 2001, Wade Black and Ben Jackson started a group called Sector 9, bringing in drummer Jesse "Martillio" Rojas and bassist Chris Baylor. By July of that year, Jackson had left to pursue his own solo work, and both Rojas and Baylor also departed. Baylor then joined the Ben Jackson Group, which put out an album in 2001. Black went on to lead Seven Witches in 2000, later fronting Leash Law in 2004 and Leatherwolf in 2006. Around the same time, Midnight was set to collaborate with Rhapsody guitarist Luca Turilli, but instead began working on a demo titled Songs from the Attic. He asked his fans through Blabbermouth if they would purchase MP3s rather than a CD. The demo faced two delays, one caused by a power outage after 9/11, and was eventually renamed M, released as an EP on November 30. While making the EP, Midnight teamed up with former Atheist guitarist Rand Burkey, and they started writing songs for an album tentatively called Cookooflower. A demo from that project was meant to appear on the EP, but the partnership fell apart after a contract disagreement. Burkey uploaded one track to MP3.com for promotional purposes. In March 2002, Ben Jackson played two shows at Keegan's Clubhouse Lounge in Sarasota, performing all the songs from his first solo album, Here I Come. Burnell, Lords, and Black attended, but Midnight declined to go. Around that time, Midnight’s website was taken down by his webmaster and business partner because of his lack of engagement with his music career; it was restored under a new domain a month later. In June 2002, Wade Black left Seven Witches due to personal and business issues within the band. He then formed Tiwanaku with ex-Nocturnus members Mike Davis and Emo Mowery, and also revived his earlier band Lucian Blaque. Black also appeared as a guest on Rick Renstrom’s solo album. The Ben Jackson Group performed at the 2002 Diamond Awards Show at Club Diamonds in Bradenton, Florida. On July 28, 2003, Ben Jackson posted on his website that he wanted Crimson Glory to reunite with its original lineup, saying the band had been waiting for a sign from Midnight. Later, Midnight provided guest vocals on Jackson’s second solo album, All Over You.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which record labels has Crimson Glory released music on?
Crimson Glory has released music on Roadrunner, MCA, Atlantic and Spitfire.
Who are the current members of Crimson Glory?
The current members of Crimson Glory are listed as Jeff Lords, Ben Jackson, Dana Burnell, Mark Borgmeyer and Travis Wills.
More in American Progressive Metal Musical Groups
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