Crimson Glory is an American progressive metal band that formed in 1982.
Crimson Glory began life in Sarasota, Florida in 1982 under the moniker 'Beowulf' with guitarists Jon Drenning and Ben Jackson, bassist Jeff Lords and drummer Dana Burnell. While searching for a singer, the group discovered one in the form of an old school mate of Jeff's - the mystically-named Midnight (John Patrick McDonald). They rehearsed diligently, finding and developing their sound for almost four years before recording their self-titled debut album on Par Records in 1986. This would later be re-issued after signing on with their new label, Roadrunner Records. Tight dual-lead harmonies and soaring vocals would feature prominently on this release, as well as the follow-up, "Transcendence".
In an era of sound-and-lookalike metal bands, Crimson Glory's goal was to have themselves be immediately identifiable from the others, so they wore full-face metallic silver masks on-stage, as well as for all photo shoots and public appearances. Vocalist Midnight was the exception to this, as his mask left his mouth uncovered.
Their sophomore release, “Transcendence” was a landmark in the genre and it garnered them much-deserved praise and attention, both at home and abroad. While on tour in support of their self-titled debut album, they discovered how hot the masks would be on stage. To keep the mystique, they cut them down into a partial “Phantom of the Opera” style for the 'Transcendence' tour. (However, after this tour, the masks would be permanently retired.)
While touring behind "Transcendence", they performed live in front of 5000 faithful, screaming fans at the Manatee Civic Center in their hometown of Bradenton, Florida on Sept. 2, 1989. This concert was simul-cast across America on Z Rock Radio. In addition, the band performed "In Dark Places" at the 1989 Tampa Bay Music Awards and walked away with three awards that night – Most Outstanding Male Vocalist (Midnight), Most Outstanding Local Release (Transcendence) and Most Outstanding Metal Band (beating fellow Florida band Savatage for this one). When the tour ended, drummer Dana Burnell and guitarist Ben Jackson decided to leave the group. Together, they would go on to form the group Parish with guitarist David Edward and New England-based vocalist, John David. After many successful shows around Florida, they recorded their debut CD entitled "Envision". Dana would leave before the recording was completed to be with his young family and Ben left after the release of the album, effectively ending the group.
Burnell would be replaced by Ravi Jakhotia in 1991, who brought a decidedly more “tribal” feel to the band and the material they would write for their next album was more 'hard rock' oriented and based more upon drum grooves as opposed to guitar riffs, on which their first two albums were largely based. It signified a bold and definite shift away from the metal sound upon which the band had built their reputation. It was at this time the band continued on as a four-piece.
The revamped group was signed to Atlantic Records and released their third album, entitled "Strange and Beautiful". Prior to the start of the tour, vocalist Midnight departed as well and dropped into a self-imposed exile for almost a decade before anyone heard from him again. Guitarist Jon Drenning recruited vocalist David Van Landing as a replacement for Midnight on what would be a short-lived tour. Drenning would then move the band to Van Landing's home state of Arizona and regroup the band twice - first as ‘Crush', and then as 'Erotic Liquid Culture’. They would release one album under each name and both are out of print and much sought-after by fans. The music on both albums more or less continued the style the band established on "Strange And Beautiful". In 1998, after an almost five year hiatus, Drenning would move back to Florida and reform Crimson Glory. He welcomed Ben Jackson back into the band and found a replacement for Midnight in the form of Wade Black, formerly of Lucian Blaque (1991-1995). This incarnation of the group would release “Astronomica” and following a brief tour, would go on hiatus again. Ben Jackson and Midnight launched solo careers and Wade Black would go on to front Seven Witches in 2000, Leash Law in 2004 and Leatherwolf in 2006.
Answering the demand of the fan base, affectionately referred to by the band as the ‘Crimson Militia’, Drenning reunited all the original members: vocalist Midnight, guitarist Ben Jackson, bassist Jeff Lords and after much secrecy and to the delight of the fans, drummer Dana Burnell. A surprising addition has been the inclusion of former Astronomica tour drummer Jesse Rojas, now backing up the group in live performances on percussion and some lead vocal work. The band signed with Black Lotus Records for a new DVD of the 1989 Bradenton concert, as well as a re-release of the two first albums. (Black Lotus Records has since gone under and the material was never released.) Sadly, the reunion was not to last. In late January 2007, citing personal differences, Crimson Glory once more parted ways with singer Midnight. After Midnight's dismissal, former vocalist Wade Black was brought back into the fold, but the band has since only played three shows. Following Black Lotus' bankruptcy, they quietly went on indefinite hiatus, with Jon Drenning's decision to return to school to pursue a career in Nuclear Medicine having some bearing on this.
In hospital with family, friends and bandmates by his side, former singer Midnight passed away from kidney and liver failure at 3:30am on July 8, 2009.[1] In light of the passing of Midnight, the band has decided to come together once more and will play at least two shows - the first in tribute to Midnight, headlining this year's ProgPower in Atlanta, Georgia with many special guest vocalists, and following this show, the band will embark on the inaugural Triton Power Cruise from Miami, Florida to the Bahamas in April 2010. Any future plans or releases beyond this are unknown at this time.