By keith Menser

After a 5 year break-up Crimson Glory are back in fine form with a brand new CD "Astrnomica", the fourth record that united this progressive power metal group back into the metal worlds.  The biggest change of all is no Midnight!!!  Vox Wade Black is the new kid on the block replacing the powerful Midnight.  but I must admit it took a few listens to really grab hold.    Wade's vocal strength is amazing, with an ability to leap into various textures.   This line-up features original guitar/bass team with Jon Grennings, Ben Jackson & Jeff Lords that somewhat preserves that classic Crimson sound musically.   Ex-Savatage skin beater Steve "Kill drum" wacholz has joined the ranks to complete the Glory and he proves that his skill is at high levels through his stellar performance.

The Cd kicks off with "March of Glory", a 5:00 minute intro made with layers of vintage WWII news/broadcast voice overs that lose the listener with it's 'Too long length'.   Slamming into the thunderous "War of the Worlds" sets the mode for what follows beyond.   This song boasts a Judas Priest feel with the vocals sounding like a split image of Ripper Owens/Harford and driving  CG guitar work.   "New World Machine" flows with it's bit chin' bass lines holding down the groove throughout the entire cut.  Wade really heats up the chords with soaring vocal lines...

A middle eastern rhythmic vibe opens the title track that kicks into a melodic power ballad of epic flavors.  "Edge of Forever" holds that classic Crimson sound and the vocals kill with Black's outro chorus screams resembling thoughs of the early Ian Gillan's Deep Purple days.   Next comes "Touch the Sun" which is by far one of the best cut's of this record and it could of well fit in the middle of "Trancendence" with it's powerful moving structures.   Again Wade takes control in his own right, show casing his range!!!   "Lucifer's Hammer" has a more modern approach and the Tim Omens voice shines bite once again.   "Cyber-Christ" keeps the record moving with more energy.   The disc ends with yet another stylish CG classic in "Cydonia", which holds all their early ingredence that made this group such a legend .  In this song Wade's voice prove's he can handle singing the early materials without questioning and he seems to have done a good job filling some big shoes.   I wonder what "Astronmica" would have sounded with Mr. Midnight?  I take my hat off to Crimson Glory for their standing comeback and want to thank the group for delivering us CG fans a new chapter.   "Astronomica" is a balance between classic Glory brought to new heights with     A must for the true CG fans!!!  

www.crimsonglory.com

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