Description
Crimson Glory – Strange And Beautiful – Vinyl Record
Crimson Glory’s Strange and Beautiful (1991) marks a significant departure from the band’s earlier progressive metal and power metal roots, embracing a more experimental and melodic approach that incorporates elements of hard rock and alternative metal. Known for their dramatic, operatic vocals and complex arrangements on albums like Crimson Glory (1986) and Transcendence (1988), Crimson Glory shifted gears on Strange and Beautiful, producing a record that diverged from the soaring metal anthems of their early work in favor of more accessible, radio-friendly material.
On Strange and Beautiful, Crimson Glory softened the sharp edges of their progressive metal style, introducing a more mainstream hard rock sound. This album features bluesy riffs, melodic vocals, and simpler song structures compared to their previous, more intricate work. Elements of alternative metal—which was gaining popularity in the early 90s—are present, reflecting a stylistic shift that aligned with broader trends in rock and metal at the time.
While their earlier albums were known for their complex arrangements and technical prowess, Strange and Beautiful focuses more on groove and atmosphere. The songs often feature mid-tempo rhythms, catchy guitar hooks, and a more stripped-down production style.
Key Tracks
‘Strange and Beautiful’: The title track is a standout, showcasing Crimson Glory’s new sound with melodic guitar work, a driving beat, and an emphasis on vocal harmonies. The song still has a bit of the band’s signature mystique but is much more accessible compared to their earlier material.
‘The Chant’: This track features a hypnotic groove and atmospheric elements, leaning heavily into the band’s desire to experiment with different textures and sounds. Its repetitive structure and haunting vocals set it apart from the band’s traditional metal work.
‘Dance on Fire’: One of the more energetic tracks on the album, ‘Dance on Fire’ combines Crimson Glory’s metal roots with a more straightforward rock approach, featuring bluesy guitar solos and anthemic choruses.
‘Song for Angels’: This ballad highlights the softer, more melodic side of Crimson Glory, with a focus on emotional vocals and gentle, acoustic guitar-driven arrangements.
As with their earlier albums, Strange and Beautiful contains lyrics that are often poetic and introspective. The title suggests themes of contrast—beauty and darkness, mystery and revelation—reflecting a mix of emotional depth and fantasy elements. The album explores themes of love, desire, and spirituality, but with a more grounded, personal approach than the high-concept fantasy themes of their earlier work. Songs like ‘Song for Angels’ and ‘Strange and Beautiful’ touch on emotional and existential questions, giving the album a more intimate feel.
Guitarists Ben Jackson and Jon Drenning tone down the complex, progressive shredding of earlier albums in favor of more melodic and groove-oriented playing. The solos are less intricate but maintain a bluesy, expressive quality that complements the album’s overall shift in tone.
Vocalist Midnight (John Patrick Jr. McDonald) continues to be a standout feature of the band’s sound, though on Strange and Beautiful, his vocals are less operatic and more soulful and melodic. Midnight’s unique voice still carries emotional intensity, but with a softer, more restrained delivery on many tracks.
The rhythm section, consisting of Jeff Lords on bass and Dana Burnell on drums (replaced on this album by Ravi Jakhotia), focuses more on groove and steady beats rather than the complex, shifting rhythms of their earlier progressive metal sound.
Released in 1991, Strange and Beautiful came at a time when the metal scene was shifting. The rise of grunge and alternative rock had begun to overshadow the glam metal and progressive metal scenes of the 80s. Crimson Glory’s stylistic shift can be seen as a response to these changing trends, as they sought to evolve their sound for a new era.
The album received mixed reviews upon release, as many fans of Crimson Glory’s earlier, more technical work were taken aback by the change in style. However, Strange and Beautiful has gained appreciation over time for its experimental nature and willingness to diverge from traditional metal tropes.
While Strange and Beautiful is often seen as a departure from their metal roots, it influenced bands that straddle the line between progressive rock and alternative metal, showing that Crimson Glory was willing to innovate and explore new directions.
Crimson Glory’s Strange and Beautiful (1991) represents a bold departure from the band’s earlier progressive metal sound, embracing a more melodic, hard rock style with elements of blues and alternative metal. While it may not have been as well-received by fans of their more technical work, the album showcases the band’s versatility and willingness to experiment. With a mix of accessible rock anthems and introspective ballads, Strange and Beautiful offers a different perspective on Crimson Glory’s musical journey, reflecting both the changing landscape of rock in the early 90s and the band’s evolving artistic vision.
Brand new, never played but not still sealed in the original plastic seal
Roadrunner Records
Track Listing
1. Strange And Beautiful
2. Promise Land
3. Love And Dreams
4. Chant, The
5. Dance On Fire
6. Songs For Angels
7. In The Mood
8. Starchamber
9. Deep Inside Your Heart
10. Make You Love Me
11. Far Away
