I’ve never liked much progressive metal. Not a fan of Fates Warning at all, only Queensryche albums that really grabbed me are Operation Mindcrime and Empire. But, I absolutely love Crimson Glory’s first two albums! Transcendence, in particular, is a masterpiece.
Transcendence is one of the best albums ever. The first two are very hard to beat and the band should have definitely been bigger. But it just didn't happen, unfortunately. But good thing they made these two great albums. They are pretty regular on my stereos. Awesome stuff! Never been much of a fan with the last two. They have some good stuff, but not really my cup of tea. So, my ranking would be the same as yours, Pete. Great that you decided to do this ranking.
Hey Pete, I think “Transcendance” is easily a top 10 album for the 80s decade. Thanks for ranking Crimson Glory and my favorite band Fates Warning! Just a suggestion. Surprised you have not ranked albums or top 10 songs from ZEBRA.
These guys were all over the magazines I was reading back in the late 80s (Kerrang, RAW), but I never really listened to them. Just listened to them. Really good.
So glad that you covered Crimson Glory's brief but unbelievable catalog. I worked at a Peaches Records store in the late 80's when "Transcendence" was first released. I picked it up because the album cover was cool and a friend told me that these guys were very good. I immediately became a fan and am saddened that Jon Drenning and company have not put out more material. I really enjoyed the "Astronomica" release back in 99 and was looking forward to hearing a lot more CG albums with Wade Black on vocals. Again, sadly, this never happened. I think you can hear a little bit of Uli Roth's famous vibrato in some of Jon Drenning's solos, albeit, with a more modern feel.
Good list. I have always been a Crimson Glory fan, although I never got around to listening to Strange and Beautiful. I guess it's finally time to check it out.
Geoff Tate, Bruce Dickenson, Ron Halford, Dio,...yeah these guys were all supreme A+ singers. But Midnight was "next-level" in every way. The guy was a true storyteller who had a dynamics toolbox that nobody else had. He was like a high rand Broadway Theater singer in a Metal band. No,...his insane vocal range was NOT what made him great. His Cirque Du Soliel "dynamics" and his "emoting" skills are what made this guy above everybody else.
Crimson Glory fan since the 1st album came out in '86. Saw them live in Chicago on the Transcendence tour. Your ranking and the reasons for it is spot on. RIP Midnight! 🤘
A band that very few people talk about, always felt they should've been better known, I remember discovering their song "Lonely" on VH1 Classic back in the early 2000's.
Looking back through your top ten songs list, I haven’t found one for CSNY. I’m of that era and this is my go to band even though they didn’t stay together too long...Big Egos...I have over the years just never stopped listening to and loving their music. My favorite song is Wooden Ships. Never get tired of it. If you never did it, sure wish you would...thanks Pete.
Cult member here. The demo Garden of Shadows with Todd LaTorre and some of the riffs laid down for other songs would have placed a new studio album way up there with Transcendence. Ashame it didn't happen but you are spot on with your assessment of these 4.
Loved this video. Hard for me to pick between the first 2 albums too. One of those things, there's no wrong answer. Astronomica is also very good, and also underrated. It's like their Juggulator, absolutely. I listen to it often. Hoping for either a US tour in the near future or some festival dates. 🙏
Transcendence is an all time personal favorite. I might have to revisit Strange & Beautiful. I might be able to appreciate what it was instead of being disappointed at what it wasn't. I've heard the other two but not really familiar with them.
Awesome that you decided to do an episode on them. Definitely one of my favorite bands and probably my favorite US Power Metal band for that matter. My ranking is the same as yours. Transcendence is by far their best album! There’s just not enough stuff that sounds like them anymore. Definitely a band that never got the recognition they should have.
Excellent video, Pete. Crimson Glory is one of my absolute faves with Agent Steel, Holy Terror and of course Twisted Sister, Motörhead and Venom! Astronomica is a sadly discarded album, even though it's almost as good as the first 2 and Wade Black is an amazing singer. Edge Of Forever is a masterpiece. My ranking: 1. Crimson Glory 2. Transcendence 3. Astronomica 4. Strange and Beautiful. It's been 11 years since Midnight passed, that was 8th of July 2009. One of the true masters of his art; such fantastic lyrics and an unmatched voice. R.I.P.
I think a lot of people will have the same rankings on these - mine are the same as yours Pete :) Astromonica is criminally underrated. Strange and Beautiful is one that you need to give a bit of time to - worth it though
Transcendence (9,5 / 10) is an amazing album. Lady of Winter, In Dark Places, Masque of the Red Death, Painted Skies, Lonely... all the songs are diamonds. Debut album (9 / 10) also rules. Heart of Steel, Azrael, Queen of the Masquerade, Lost Reflection...RIP Midnight... I remember Astronomica (8/10) was a bit different than those 2 first albums - but also good. I have never listened to the Strange and Beautiful album. It's sad that they didn't get bigger.
1. Transcendence, 2. Strange And Beautiful, 3. S/T, 4. Astronomica. To me, Strange And Beautiful is like their Led Zeppelin III album. It was different but I dug it.
Please do. "Strange and Beautiful" sounds different, but I like it a lot. Midnight really has a chance to shine on it even if the songs are different. I thought "Transcendence" had a drum problem but it's everything as advertised. I'm not a metal head per se but this band is great.
I have all 4 albums 3 on cd and Transcendence on vinyl. Love the lps. I almost was hopeful to see them with Wade Black for the Astronomica album tour in Cincy 2000 but they cancelled it. They were to play at venue called Annies. Which in 2000 saw there Armored Saint, Moonspell, Amorphis and Kovenant. Those 4 bands that were so killer and tremendous being with the lady friends that I was with. Met the bands took pics.
I'm not a huge fan, but I do like them and I've heard these all many, many times. Here ya go: 4) Strange and Beautiful (1991) 3) Astronomica (1999) 2) Crimson Glory (1986) 1) Transcendence (1988) Thanks, Pete!
Fenomenal band with one of the best singers in metal Mr. Midnight (RIP), fantastic twin guitar attack courtesy of Mr. Jon Drenning and Mr. Ben Jackson solid rhythm section provided (on the classic line-up) by Mr. Jeff Lords on Bass and Mr. Dana Burrell on Drums. They seem to have it all to become household names, but something happened and It infortunately wasn't meant to be. Todd la Torre (#queensryche) had a stint in the band from 2000-2013 and I believe there are some videos here on youtube of the band performing live with him. One of the best power metal bands EVER bar none! #Crimsonglory #midnight #JonDrenning #BenJackson
A killer band that should have been much bigger, wish they had put an album out with Todd La Torre, wasn't a great fan of Astronimica due to the vocals. Agree with you Transcendence is one of the very best ever Prog Metal albums, just stunning !!! BTW, you pointed at Jon Drenning vs Midnight on the back of S&B, sorry just being pedantic lol. 1. Transcendence - A stunning album top to bottom not a mediocre song on this thing !!! 2. Crimson Glory 3 Strange & Beautiful 4 Astronomica
Phenomenal Band. RIP Midnight My Ranking: 1- Transcendence - Killer album, not a weak song here! 2- Crimson Glory - very strong debut 3- Astronomica - There are some cool songs here, but not a fan of the drum machine:( 4- Strange and Beautiful - Not as strong as their first two but overall a solid Hard Rock/Prog album
My original configuration for my list had these as potentially a mulligan. When I cycled through the songs and gave it a listen, I changed the configuration and shuffled "Strange and Beautiful" up a slot. I actually like this one a lot. I came to the band late and purchased this one last. I thought the songs here really worked well with Midnight's voice. He was able to fully exercise his visible vocal prowess in a very emotive way. This is what would happen if you put slammed Geoff Tate's voice with Peter Gabriel's expressiveness. I agree, "Transcendence" songs in their catalog but the drums make it a difficult listen for me. I'm glad you represented the list in the form you gave it--because that was my original list--with me tettering between 1 and 2, ultimately ending in a mulligan.
@@musicnerd8969 Actually drums on Transcendence are programmed, and I heard from quite a few people that they couldn't get into that album just bcs of the drum sound. You are not alone in saying that... Imho the drum sound could have been Better but the whole atmosphere of the album is so strong that I don't mind it.
@@FlashBastard1964 Steve Wacholz appeared on promo photos but he didn't play on the album. You can hear a very annoying drum machine throughout the album...
It's hard to choose between the first two. I like the style of their first album the best, but I think I gotta give Transcendence the higher spot as it has better songs. I think I would've switched places for Strange&Beautiful and Astronomica though. I've only listened to Astronomica once or twice and no song in particular (besides maybe the first track) has stuck in my mind...but from S&B I really enjoy the title track, In the mood and Make you love me. The genre is way out of my comfort zone, but those songs are really catchy.
A band even more obscure than Fates Warning everyone! This is truly underrated prog metal and hard rock that deseves more merit. I've listened to them and can say that they are all excellent but Transcendence is truly the best. Dang that album rocks amazingly and is the best. The debut is second best. The other two are fantastic but Midnight was wrestling with personal demons so they lack the oomph but are great regardless. Pete, it'd be interesting for an 'Unknown 80s metal/hard rock bands you should listen to' with Magnum, Dokken Crimson Glory, etc. Just wear a big poofy wig and display your usual astonishing acumen.
4 years too late, but you pointed at Jon Drenning, not midnight! Anyway Loved this band back in the day. They're sort of still going, nice new single though.
While of course the first two albums are amazing, I love Astronomica. Edge of Forever, Cydonia, Touch the Sun, Other Side of Midnight..... AMAZING songs
All 4 albums are excellent in their own right. Strange and Beautiful would have been a perfect solo album for Midnight if he had decided to do that and keep Crimson Glory on the Power Prog Metal direction.
I actually predicted your list exact because it was pretty much how I felt about them lol. I'll say Burning Bridges is the best song they ever released!
Yeah Pete, the audio is cracklin'....all good,though....the content is great! Transcendence is a melodic,power Metal masterpiece! Purchased it the month it came out & still listen to it (for artistic inspiration).
My ranking is - #1. Astronomica -2. Strange And Beautiful -3. Transcendence -4. Crimson Glory I never really got into their debut. I love SAB because it's so different than their other albums and it took guts to put out such a different record. My favorite song though is Lady Of Winter. Btw when you pointed to Midnight you actually pointed to guitarist Jon Drenning. 😁
@@seaoftranquilityprog Sorry, My mistake. In one of the videos you were mentioning a bunch of more traditional metal bands you guys were going to cover, I thought you mentioned Wasp as well. Anyway Thanks for covering Crimson Glory🤘
I think that almost everybody, and that includes me, says that their first two albums are also their best...the difficult thing is which to put in the #1 spot...well, I will put their first album in #1, although Transcendence is also a FANTASTIC album...Strange and Beautiful are not bad albums at all, but they are not like their first two...
Crimson Glory is in my personal top 20 favourite Metal bands of all time, and the first two albums never leave my rotation. If you are a legit fan of Power of any flavour, you are doing yourself a disservice by not engraving this band on your soul.
My rankings are: 1. Crimson Glory (Self-titled) 2. Strange and Beautiful (Drums were corrected. Very different vibe but very good mix.) 3. Astronomica (Sounds like a different band but a very good album. Wade Black has a different vocal tone - but he sounds great.) 4. Transcendence (I prefer the drum sounds in the self-titled. The drums on this one are totally distracting. Bad mix. It should have been at #2 but the drums are distracting.) It's too bad this band couldn't have gotten their act together. Todd LaTore was brilliant as their vocalist--but I could tell in their interviews that things were not going to gel for them. The last important interview they had I thought Todd would get frustrated--and landing the gig with Queesnryche probably put an end to a brilliant band.
@@mardiluz I'm not sure this was the only album cut with the use of "synthetic" drum machines either. According to wikipedia (which isn't always true), the drums on "Transcendence" are a mashup of live drums through a synclavier without cymbals to get "true instrument separation". I love the tunes on that album--but the drum's placement in the mix kills it for me. If this had been live drums only this album would have been #2 or a mulligan. "Transcendence" sounds like the drums are in one channel and the rest of the instruments in another. The separation is rather annoying to me. I give them credit for attempting something different and challenging, but this experiment made this one a challenging listen. But I understand your comment. Rock music requires a human heart-beat--not a synthetic one.
Great Band - Azrael is my daughter's 3rd name after that song - her name is B.B. Jane Azrael XXXXX (Alice Cooper - B.B. on Mars) Jane (Jefferson Starship) and Azrael (Crimson Glory) the B.B. Causes problems on passports etc.
I knew three or four of the members personally since I've played the same circuit as they did at that time Tampa Bay had a great metal seen in the early 90s which was not anything like the rest of the country you had to have been there it was the best
Strange and beautiful featured gospel backup singers! Is all you had say! I wouldnt say Wade sang or hit higher notes. Yeah I'm starting to think you haven't listened to them much. There wasn't much of a change between disc one and two. You could swap songs and not notice. Anyway I feel that I need to mention some points of interest. Hold up, you should have definitely mentioned (even if your not familiar with them) the catalog midnight recorded before his passing. Ok crimson glorys ballads, haunting, romantic, ethereal. They definitely has a talent for them. Their first was the heaviest. If you like music that could be the soundtrack for Thor with all his power and majesty then you can't beat Valhalla. A stand of for the same album was lost rejection would go great with some kind of twisted horror flick. Yes the second album is awesome continuing a similar vibe a bit more polished and mature probably my favorite. The third day them going all over the place. From Indian reservations, back in time with a song sounding like it was written from King Arthur dedicated to Guinevere then blasting out into space, vampires, and the end of the world with a song called "the chant" which they had an official video for and I feel is very relevant today. Ah that about it Felt I had to do what I can to help turn ppl on. Midnight sang with the force of an arch angel. Rip
Strange and Beautiful is easily my favourite. Very underrated. Would have been better with a different singer. Vocals didn’t always fit the music. But musically it’s fantastic.
It's a shame that they never recorded an album with Todd. There's demos and live footage with him on You Tube though. Oddly enough, when I heard Todd with them live in 2010, my first thought was he should be in Queensryche.
Love Crimson Glory. Their first two albums are absolute classics and Midnight had some of the best pipes around.
I’ve never liked much progressive metal. Not a fan of Fates Warning at all, only Queensryche albums that really grabbed me are Operation Mindcrime and Empire. But, I absolutely love Crimson Glory’s first two albums! Transcendence, in particular, is a masterpiece.
I still remember buying Transcendence in my local store.... Couldn't stop listening to it. All their albums are great.
Midnight left us to soon the man can sing
I love Crimson Glory such a beautyful compositions.
Crimson Glory is one thing, but also check Midnight solo albums, Parish, Ben Jackson Group, Erotic Liquid Culture...
Transcendence is one of the best albums ever. The first two are very hard to beat and the band should have definitely been bigger. But it just didn't happen, unfortunately. But good thing they made these two great albums. They are pretty regular on my stereos. Awesome stuff! Never been much of a fan with the last two. They have some good stuff, but not really my cup of tea. So, my ranking would be the same as yours, Pete. Great that you decided to do this ranking.
Can you imagine Astronomica with Midnight on vocals?!!
Might have to re-record this...audio is way hot. Let me know if it's unbearable.
I can take it :)
Only like 40/50 miles away. Sounds good 👌 to me.
It sounds alright...
Yeahhhhhhhh from the few seconds I was caught off guard by how off-putting the audio is here. Def sounds like crap to me, very weird.
It was loud, but nonetheless it was fine
First 2 albums both 10/10. One of my favorit bands from the 80ies. Totally underrated.
Hey Pete, I think “Transcendance” is easily a top 10 album for the 80s decade. Thanks for ranking Crimson Glory and my favorite band Fates Warning! Just a suggestion. Surprised you have not ranked albums or top 10 songs from ZEBRA.
I just found a copy of Transcendence on Vinyl!
These guys were all over the magazines I was reading back in the late 80s (Kerrang, RAW), but I never really listened to them.
Just listened to them. Really good.
So glad that you covered Crimson Glory's brief but unbelievable catalog. I worked at a Peaches Records store in the late 80's when "Transcendence" was first released. I picked it up because the album cover was cool and a friend told me that these guys were very good. I immediately became a fan and am saddened that Jon Drenning and company have not put out more material. I really enjoyed the "Astronomica" release back in 99 and was looking forward to hearing a lot more CG albums with Wade Black on vocals. Again, sadly, this never happened.
I think you can hear a little bit of Uli Roth's famous vibrato in some of Jon Drenning's solos, albeit, with a more modern feel.
Good list. I have always been a Crimson Glory fan, although I never got around to listening to Strange and Beautiful. I guess it's finally time to check it out.
Pete thanks for this one, love the ranking the albums series videos! do a Great White ranking the albums.-
Geoff Tate, Bruce Dickenson, Ron Halford, Dio,...yeah these guys were all supreme A+ singers. But Midnight was "next-level" in every way. The guy was a true storyteller who had a dynamics toolbox that nobody else had. He was like a high rand Broadway Theater singer in a Metal band. No,...his insane vocal range was NOT what made him great. His Cirque Du Soliel "dynamics" and his "emoting" skills are what made this guy above everybody else.
The two first songs on Transcedence are amazing
Crimson Glory fan since the 1st album came out in '86. Saw them live in Chicago on the Transcendence tour. Your ranking and the reasons for it is spot on. RIP Midnight! 🤘
A band that very few people talk about, always felt they should've been better known, I remember discovering their song "Lonely" on VH1 Classic back in the early 2000's.
Thank you for ranking the studio albums of: Crimson Glory.🎤🎸🎵🥁
Looking back through your top ten songs list, I haven’t found one for CSNY. I’m of that era and this is my go to band even though they didn’t stay together too long...Big Egos...I have over the years just never stopped listening to and loving their music. My favorite song is Wooden Ships. Never get tired of it. If you never did it, sure wish you would...thanks Pete.
Pete. Best albums in your collection from groups few have ever heard of. If local, must be available on the internet.
I found Transcendence in a second hand vinyl shop. I thought the cover was cool and it was cheap so I got it. Oh my what a band!
Cult member here. The demo Garden of Shadows with Todd LaTorre and some of the riffs laid down for other songs would have placed a new studio album way up there with Transcendence. Ashame it didn't happen but you are spot on with your assessment of these 4.
Great vid! I didn't discover Crimson Glory until Todd joined Queensryche. Great band. Going to have to spend some more time on these albums.
Loved this video. Hard for me to pick between the first 2 albums too. One of those things, there's no wrong answer.
Astronomica is also very good, and also underrated. It's like their Juggulator, absolutely. I listen to it often. Hoping for either a US tour in the near future or some festival dates. 🙏
Great band, RIP Midnight
Transcendence is an all time personal favorite. I might have to revisit Strange & Beautiful. I might be able to appreciate what it was instead of being disappointed at what it wasn't.
I've heard the other two but not really familiar with them.
Awesome that you decided to do an episode on them. Definitely one of my favorite bands and probably my favorite US Power Metal band for that matter. My ranking is the same as yours. Transcendence is by far their best album! There’s just not enough stuff that sounds like them anymore. Definitely a band that never got the recognition they should have.
Never heard of them. Listened to a few songs, sounds pretty good.
Their first couple of albums are untouchable man
Excellent video, Pete. Crimson Glory is one of my absolute faves with Agent Steel, Holy Terror and of course Twisted Sister, Motörhead and Venom! Astronomica is a sadly discarded album, even though it's almost as good as the first 2 and Wade Black is an amazing singer. Edge Of Forever is a masterpiece. My ranking: 1. Crimson Glory 2. Transcendence 3. Astronomica 4. Strange and Beautiful. It's been 11 years since Midnight passed, that was 8th of July 2009. One of the true masters of his art; such fantastic lyrics and an unmatched voice. R.I.P.
I think a lot of people will have the same rankings on these - mine are the same as yours Pete :) Astromonica is criminally underrated. Strange and Beautiful is one that you need to give a bit of time to - worth it though
I love all the albums from 86 to 91, strange and beautiful is so different but I like it the same as the debut and transcendence. All masterpieces
Great great band, one of my top 5! Great video
Thanks for doing them. A weird history with this band and as with many I dream of what could have been.
1. Transcendence
2. Strange and Beautiful
3. Crimson Glory
4 Astronomica
🤟
Did not see it coming that there are people out there who rank the albums in the same order.
strange and beautiful #1 for me
Never did hear anything beyond the first 2 albums, but always wanted to.
Will definitely check them out. Cool shirt with Galactus!
Thanks for this. Gave Transcendence a spin and its right up my alley. So much like the ‘ryche!
Transcendence (9,5 / 10) is an amazing album. Lady of Winter, In Dark Places, Masque of the Red Death, Painted Skies, Lonely... all the songs are diamonds. Debut album (9 / 10) also rules. Heart of Steel, Azrael, Queen of the Masquerade, Lost Reflection...RIP Midnight... I remember Astronomica (8/10) was a bit different than those 2 first albums - but also good. I have never listened to the Strange and Beautiful album. It's sad that they didn't get bigger.
1. Transcendence, 2. Strange And Beautiful, 3. S/T, 4. Astronomica. To me, Strange And Beautiful is like their Led Zeppelin III album. It was different but I dug it.
Same ranking.
Yesss, absolute terrific band. Saw them at the Aardschokdag in... 1987?
1: Transcendence
2: Crimson Glory
3: Astronomica
4: Strange and beautiful
I bought their debut when it came out. Never got anything else by them. After this video I'm tempted to get the rest. Thanks
Please do. "Strange and Beautiful" sounds different, but I like it a lot. Midnight really has a chance to shine on it even if the songs are different. I thought "Transcendence" had a drum problem but it's everything as advertised. I'm not a metal head per se but this band is great.
I love the band great metal band , great singers , midnight is one of the greatest singers ever!!!
I have all 4 albums 3 on cd and Transcendence on vinyl. Love the lps. I almost was hopeful to see them with Wade Black for the Astronomica album tour in Cincy 2000 but they cancelled it. They were to play at venue called Annies. Which in 2000 saw there Armored Saint, Moonspell, Amorphis and Kovenant. Those 4 bands that were so killer and tremendous being with the lady friends that I was with. Met the bands took pics.
Wade Black was in Seven Churches also did an album with Leatherwolf and a bunch of unknown bands
I'm not a huge fan, but I do like them and I've heard these all many, many times. Here ya go:
4) Strange and Beautiful (1991)
3) Astronomica (1999)
2) Crimson Glory (1986)
1) Transcendence (1988)
Thanks, Pete!
Hell yea the debut, dragon lady!
1) Crimson Glory
2) Transcendence
3) Astronomica
4) Strange and Beautiful
Bought Transcendence on vinyl when it came out, hope I still have it.
'BLOODY RED SHARKS!'
It's not unbearable, it's fine :)
My list:
1. Transcendence
2. Crimson Glory
3. Strange and Beautiful
4. Astronomica
Fenomenal band with one of the best singers in metal Mr. Midnight (RIP), fantastic twin guitar attack courtesy of Mr. Jon Drenning and Mr. Ben Jackson solid rhythm section provided (on the classic line-up) by Mr. Jeff Lords on Bass and Mr. Dana Burrell on Drums. They seem to have it all to become household names, but something happened and It infortunately wasn't meant to be. Todd la Torre (#queensryche) had a stint in the band from 2000-2013 and I believe there are some videos here on youtube of the band performing live with him.
One of the best power metal bands EVER bar none!
#Crimsonglory #midnight #JonDrenning #BenJackson
A killer band that should have been much bigger, wish they had put an album out with Todd La Torre, wasn't a great fan of Astronimica due to the vocals. Agree with you Transcendence is one of the very best ever Prog Metal albums, just stunning !!! BTW, you pointed at Jon Drenning vs Midnight on the back of S&B, sorry just being pedantic lol.
1. Transcendence - A stunning album top to bottom not a mediocre song on this thing !!!
2. Crimson Glory
3 Strange & Beautiful
4 Astronomica
Off the top of my head I remember the 1st couple of albums were excellent.
Phenomenal Band. RIP Midnight
My Ranking:
1- Transcendence - Killer album, not a weak song here!
2- Crimson Glory - very strong debut
3- Astronomica - There are some cool songs here, but not a fan of the drum machine:(
4- Strange and Beautiful - Not as strong as their first two but overall a solid Hard Rock/Prog album
My original configuration for my list had these as potentially a mulligan. When I cycled through the songs and gave it a listen, I changed the configuration and shuffled "Strange and Beautiful" up a slot. I actually like this one a lot. I came to the band late and purchased this one last. I thought the songs here really worked well with Midnight's voice. He was able to fully exercise his visible vocal prowess in a very emotive way. This is what would happen if you put slammed Geoff Tate's voice with Peter Gabriel's expressiveness. I agree, "Transcendence" songs in their catalog but the drums make it a difficult listen for me. I'm glad you represented the list in the form you gave it--because that was my original list--with me tettering between 1 and 2, ultimately ending in a mulligan.
@@musicnerd8969 Actually drums on Transcendence are programmed, and I heard from quite a few people that they couldn't get into that album just bcs of the drum sound. You are not alone in saying that... Imho the drum sound could have been Better but the whole atmosphere of the album is so strong that I don't mind it.
I'm pretty sure the drummer from Savatage plays on "Astronomica".
@@FlashBastard1964 Steve Wacholz appeared on promo photos but he didn't play on the album. You can hear a very annoying drum machine throughout the album...
There is a demo track on iTunes featuring Todd LaTorre, outstanding track.
4. Astronomica
3. Strange and Beautiful
2. Transcendence
1. Crimson Glory
Great band. I just listened to Fifth Angel today.
"A couple big interviews coming." John Petrucci? He did announce a new solo album. 😉
Sounds like my kinda band, I’m going to check out the first 2...thanks Pete
Brill band some amazing songs written
Pete how about a rank the albums of Steve Hillage? The “L” album is a forgotten gem and the rest of his catalog is equally impressive.
It's hard to choose between the first two. I like the style of their first album the best, but I think I gotta give Transcendence the higher spot as it has better songs. I think I would've switched places for Strange&Beautiful and Astronomica though. I've only listened to Astronomica once or twice and no song in particular (besides maybe the first track) has stuck in my mind...but from S&B I really enjoy the title track, In the mood and Make you love me. The genre is way out of my comfort zone, but those songs are really catchy.
Hi Pete.., Can you do a ranking from the band ' AGALLOCH' from Portland Oregon
Do a ranking the studio albums for April Wine!
A band even more obscure than Fates Warning everyone! This is truly underrated prog metal and hard rock that deseves more merit.
I've listened to them and can say that they are all excellent but Transcendence is truly the best. Dang that album rocks amazingly and is the best. The debut is second best. The other two are fantastic but Midnight was wrestling with personal demons so they lack the oomph but are great regardless.
Pete, it'd be interesting for an 'Unknown 80s metal/hard rock bands you should listen to' with Magnum, Dokken Crimson Glory, etc. Just wear a big poofy wig and display your usual astonishing acumen.
Amazing band
4 years too late, but you pointed at Jon Drenning, not midnight! Anyway Loved this band back in the day. They're sort of still going, nice new single though.
While of course the first two albums are amazing, I love Astronomica. Edge of Forever, Cydonia, Touch the Sun, Other Side of Midnight..... AMAZING songs
Crimson glory second album is a good one. 😀👍🤘🎸
You should rank the Pyramaze albums. Such an underrated band.
Beloved band, seen em live with Wade Black. I suppose you dont like Cold Lake from Celtic Frost, too...
All 4 albums are excellent in their own right. Strange and Beautiful would have been a perfect solo album for Midnight if he had decided to do that and keep Crimson Glory on the Power Prog Metal direction.
I actually predicted your list exact because it was pretty much how I felt about them lol. I'll say Burning Bridges is the best song they ever released!
That first record is damn good.
Yeah Pete, the audio is cracklin'....all good,though....the content is great! Transcendence is a melodic,power Metal masterpiece! Purchased it the month it came out & still listen to it (for artistic inspiration).
Only 4 albums ? I thought they’d have at least 10. Notorious !
My ranking is - #1. Astronomica
-2. Strange And Beautiful
-3. Transcendence
-4. Crimson Glory
I never really got into their debut. I love SAB because it's so different than their other albums and it took guts to put out such a different record. My favorite song though is Lady Of Winter. Btw when you pointed to Midnight you actually pointed to guitarist Jon Drenning. 😁
Wade Black did a good job on Astronomica
Yes he did. Kinda sounded like Tim Owens.
Will you rank the catalogue of W.A.S.P. at some point?
I remember Pete saying he'll do a Wasp deep cut show with Jack Toledano a few weeks ago... It'd be cool to see that
@@LuchaLibertaria No, we didn't talk about WASP. Neither one of us are fans.
@@seaoftranquilityprog Thank you.
@@seaoftranquilityprog Sorry, My mistake. In one of the videos you were mentioning a bunch of more traditional metal bands you guys were going to cover, I thought you mentioned Wasp as well. Anyway Thanks for covering Crimson Glory🤘
I think that almost everybody, and that includes me, says that their first two albums are also their best...the difficult thing is which to put in the #1 spot...well, I will put their first album in #1, although Transcendence is also a FANTASTIC album...Strange and Beautiful are not bad albums at all, but they are not like their first two...
Crimson Glory is in my personal top 20 favourite Metal bands of all time, and the first two albums never leave my rotation.
If you are a legit fan of Power of any flavour, you are doing yourself a disservice by not engraving this band on your soul.
I slightly prefer the debut to Transcendence. Both are excellent though. The other two, I'm not a fan of.
My rankings are:
1. Crimson Glory (Self-titled)
2. Strange and Beautiful (Drums were corrected. Very different vibe but very good mix.)
3. Astronomica (Sounds like a different band but a very good album. Wade Black has a different vocal tone - but he sounds great.)
4. Transcendence (I prefer the drum sounds in the self-titled. The drums on this one are totally distracting. Bad mix. It should have been at #2 but the drums are distracting.)
It's too bad this band couldn't have gotten their act together. Todd LaTore was brilliant as their vocalist--but I could tell in their interviews that things were not going to gel for them. The last important interview they had I thought Todd would get frustrated--and landing the gig with Queesnryche probably put an end to a brilliant band.
Yea but Astronomica is all made through a use of a drum machine.
@@mardiluz I'm not sure this was the only album cut with the use of "synthetic" drum machines either. According to wikipedia (which isn't always true), the drums on "Transcendence" are a mashup of live drums through a synclavier without cymbals to get "true instrument separation". I love the tunes on that album--but the drum's placement in the mix kills it for me. If this had been live drums only this album would have been #2 or a mulligan. "Transcendence" sounds like the drums are in one channel and the rest of the instruments in another. The separation is rather annoying to me. I give them credit for attempting something different and challenging, but this experiment made this one a challenging listen. But I understand your comment. Rock music requires a human heart-beat--not a synthetic one.
Pete, Midnight passed in 09, not early 2000's.
Great Band - Azrael is my daughter's 3rd name after that song - her name is B.B. Jane Azrael XXXXX (Alice Cooper - B.B. on Mars) Jane (Jefferson Starship) and Azrael (Crimson Glory) the B.B. Causes problems on passports etc.
I didn't see them in your old videos but I might have missed it but if not would you consider doing a ranking of Dokken?
I did do a Top 10 Songs show on Dokken. Album ranking coming soon.
Awesome
I knew three or four of the members personally since I've played the same circuit as they did at that time Tampa Bay had a great metal seen in the early 90s which was not anything like the rest of the country you had to have been there it was the best
Strange and beautiful featured gospel backup singers! Is all you had say! I wouldnt say Wade sang or hit higher notes. Yeah I'm starting to think you haven't listened to them much. There wasn't much of a change between disc one and two. You could swap songs and not notice. Anyway I feel that I need to mention some points of interest. Hold up, you should have definitely mentioned (even if your not familiar with them) the catalog midnight recorded before his passing.
Ok crimson glorys ballads, haunting, romantic, ethereal. They definitely has a talent for them.
Their first was the heaviest. If you like music that could be the soundtrack for Thor with all his power and majesty then you can't beat Valhalla. A stand of for the same album was lost rejection would go great with some kind of twisted horror flick.
Yes the second album is awesome continuing a similar vibe a bit more polished and mature probably my favorite.
The third day them going all over the place. From Indian reservations, back in time with a song sounding like it was written from King Arthur dedicated to Guinevere then blasting out into space, vampires, and the end of the world with a song called "the chant" which they had an official video for and I feel is very relevant today.
Ah that about it
Felt I had to do what I can to help turn ppl on. Midnight sang with the force of an arch angel. Rip
I also think it's fine
Strange and Beautiful is easily my favourite. Very underrated. Would have been better with a different singer. Vocals didn’t always fit the music. But musically it’s fantastic.
Have you heard the band Heathen?
Yes indeed!
No one went higher than Midnight!
Are those remastered copies
Todd LaTorre rules!
It's a shame that they never recorded an album with Todd. There's demos and live footage with him on You Tube though. Oddly enough, when I heard Todd with them live in 2010, my first thought was he should be in Queensryche.
@@frankchase9049 Really? Lol! I've loved all his few records with Queensryche
Wish he had stayed and recorded with Crimson Glory.
Je connaissais pas. Ça me rappelle TNT en mieux. Et Queensryche. Le métal des années 80. La pêche.
...you pointed to Jon Drenning instead of Midnight. Just sayin'.
Tolerable to me, not gonna stop me from watching. But, you strike me as a bit of a perfectionist (in a good way).
I dig Crimson Glory, but it's definitely not prog.