Crimson Glory "Astronomica"

Astronomica is the fourth album by the American progressive metal band Crimson Glory, released in 1999 via Spitfire Records (USA) and Rising Sun (Europe). After a long hiatus following their less-than-successful album Strange and Beautiful, the band reformed with Wade Black on vocals and Steve Wacholz (of Savatage fame) on drums. Although he is pictured in the album artwork (with the intention of being the new drummer), Wacholz never actually played on the record – a drum machine was used. Wade Black's vocal delivery was not appreciated by all fans, who were accustomed to Midnight's voice. Still, the album was greeted as a successful comeback.

Track listing

All music by Jon Drenning/Jeff Lords – all lyrics by Billy Martinez/Jon Drenning except where noted.

1. "March to Glory" (instrumental) – 3:28
2. "War of the Worlds" (Drenning/Lords) – 4:08
3. "New World Machine" (Drenning/Lords/Martinez) – 4:14
4. "Astronomica" – 4:54
5. "Edge of Forever" – 5:47
6. "Touch the Sun" – 5:55
7. "Lucifer's Hammer" (Drenning/Lords) – 4:25
8. "The Other Side of Midnight" – 4:29
9. "Cyber-Christ" (Drenning/Lords) – 5:14
10. "Cydonia" – 5:47

"March to Glory" is a re-interpretation of the tune Boadicea, to be found on Enya (album) by Irish singer and songwriter Enya, which was released in 1987 and re-released in 1992 bearing the title "The Celts".

"Cydonia" contains a hidden track which includes 20:15 minutes of recorded police scanner communications that describe alleged U.F.O. sightings (on the 1999 Spitfire Records edition only).

A limited edition was released with a second disc with 3 live tracks with Midnight on vocals, recorded at Manatee Civic Center on Sept. 2, 1989, limited to 5000.

Catalogue # 0072892 RS

Music and lyrics by:

Jon Drenning, Jeff Lords, Billy Martinez (tracks 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10).

Jon Drenning, Jeff Lords (2, 7, 9).

Limited edition digipak includes a bonus CD:

1. Painted Skies (Live) (07:08)
2. Queen of the Masquerade (Live) (06:19)
3. Lost Reflection (Live) (06:28)

Japanese version released by King Records includes the bonus tracks:

1. Dragon Lady (Live) (07:30)
2. Eternal Wold (Live) (04:10)

Recording information:

Produced, engineered and mixed by Jon Drenning for Interstellar Productions.

Co-produced by Jeff "Sgt. Rock" Lords.

Additional pre-production by Mitch Goldfarb.

Recorded and mixed at Dreamland, Anna Maria, Florida.

This CD was recorded and mixed using a Mackie recording console and two Roland VS-880 8-tracks digital recorders.