Crimson Glory "Astronomica (Japan, King Records, KICP-688)"

Astronomica is the fourth studio 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.

"March to Glory" is a re-interpretation of the tune "Boadicea", to be found on Enya 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).

Tracklist:

1. March to Glory 03:30   
2. War of the Worlds 04:09  
3. New World Machine 04:14
4. Astronomica 04:59
5. Edge of Forever 05:46
6. Touch the Sun 05:56   
7. Lucifer's Hammer 04:25   
8. The Other Side of Midnight 04:29   
9. Cyber-Christ 05:13  
10. Cydonia 05:47
11. Dragon Lady (live) 07:30
12. Eternal World (live) 04:10

Time:  01:00:08

Includes a sticker and an extra booklet with Japanese lyrics.

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).

Recording information:

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.

Track 11, 12 recorded live at Manatee Civic Center, Bradenton, Florida, September 2nd 1989.

Crimson Glory "Astronomica (2CD, France, NTS, 3052352)"

Astronomica is the fourth studio 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.

"March to Glory" is a re-interpretation of the tune "Boadicea", to be found on Enya 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).

Tracklist:

Disc 1

1. March to Glory 03:30
2. War of the Worlds 04:09
3. New World Machine 04:14
4. Astronomica 04:59
5. Edge of Forever 05:46
6. Touch the Sun 05:56
7. Lucifer's Hammer 04:25
8. The Other Side of Midnight 04:29
9. Cyber-Christ 05:13
10. Cydonia 05:47

Time: 48:28

Disc 2

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

Time: 19:55

Recording information:

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.

Tracks 1, 2, 3 on Disc 2 recorded on September 2, 1989, at the Manatee Civic Center, Bradenton, Florida.

Crimson Glory "Astronomica (USA, Spitfire Records, 5043-2)"

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).

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.

Crimson Glory "Strange And Beautiful (Japan, F.E.M.S., APCY-8045)"

Strange and Beautiful is the third studio album from progressive metal band Crimson Glory. Signed to Atlantic Records in 1991, this album was a marked stylistic departure from their previous albums' decidedly progressive metal sound to a more bluesy, hard rock sound. It was the first album without longtime members, guitarist Ben Jackson and drummer Dana Burnell and it was also the last to feature vocalist Midnight. Two songs were co-written with former Drexel University Associate Professor and entertainment attorney, Marcy Rauer Wagman, while the first single "The Chant" was written by outside songwriters M. McKinley & Marti Frederiksen. Midnight departed the band prior to the tour and was replaced by future Michael Schenker Group frontman, David Van Landing. It was the only album in their canon to feature drummer Ravi Jakhotia and the band went on hiatus following the supporting tour.

Track listing

1. "Strange and Beautiful" Jon Drenning, Midnight 6:17
2. "Promise Land" Drenning, Jeff Lords, Marcy Rauer 5:22
3. "Love and Dreams" Drenning, Lords, Midnight 5:29
4. "The Chant" Marti Frederiksen, M. McKinley 3:45
5. "Dance on Fire" Drenning, Lords, Midnight 5:27
6. "Song for Angels" Drenning, Rauer 5:19
7. "In the Mood" Drenning, Lords, Midnight 5:55
8. "Starchamber" Drenning, Lords, Midnight 7:28
9. "Deep Inside Your Heart" Drenning, Lords, Midnight 5:14
10. "Make You Love Me" Drenning, Lords, Midnight 4:05
11. "Far Away" Midnight 4:44

Time:  59:10

Recording information:

Recorded at Kajem Studios (Gladwyne, PA) and Kajem/Victory Studios (Phila., PA). 

Mixed at Kajem Studios (Gladwyne, PA). 

Mastered at Sterling Sound (New York, NY).

Jon Drenning - producer, mixing

Mitch Goldfarb – producer, engineer, mixing

Brook Hendricks – second engineer

Brian Stover, John Fairhead, Jeff Chestek, Cherri Parker – assistant engineers

George Marino – mastering at Sterling Sound, New York

Justice Mitchell – artwork