Sarasota, Florida based CRIMSON GLORY first came to attention with their image of each band member's identity hidden behind silver face masks. Although technically proficient the media soon decided CRIMSON GLORY's brand of epic Metal, and in particular MIDNIGHT's distinctly Geoff Tate tainted vocals, were a bit too close to their better known Seattle counterparts for comfort. Fortunately as time passed, successive releases shed this stigma and the European Metal market in particular soon placed the band in great esteem.

The band started out in 1979 under the name PIERCED ARROW, then later changed their name to BEOWULF. PIERCED ARROW comprised singer Tony Wise, lead guitarist Bernado Hernandez, second guitarist Ben Jackson, bass player Jeff Lords and Dana St. James (a.k.a. Dana Burnell) on drums. Hernandez and Lords were replaced by Chris Campbell on guitar and John Colemorgan on bass in late 1981/early 82. Lords rejoined in 1983. Vocalist Mark Ormes and lead guitarist Jon Drenning also joined that same year. Finally, the vocal talents of Midnight (a.k.a. John Patrick McDonald Jr.) were added. It's a little known fact that the group did not play a full scale live show until five years after their original formation.

CRIMSON GLORY debuted in 1986 on the PAR label. The group's self-titled first album, produced by Dan Johnson, was subsequently licensed to Roadrunner for European consumption and, upon promoting the first album, the band put in a solitary British show opening for ANTHRAX and METAL CHURCH at London's Hammersmith Odeon. February of 1987 saw the band traversing mainland Europe as support to CELTIC FROST and ANTHRAX.

Following 1989's 'Transcendence', laid down at Tampa's Morrisound complex with Jim Morris behind the desk, the band's mask's had now become 'half-masks' revealing more of their features. Unfortunately, at this critical juncture CRIMSON GLORY was racked by line-up problems with both guitarist Ben Jackson and drummer Dana Burnell leaving the fold. Jackson joined PARISH and recorded an album entitled 'Envision'. Dana Burnell made a guest appearance.

The 1991 'Strange And Beautiful' album, co-produced by Mitch Goldfarb, saw the band ditching the facial disguises altogether, dropping the black leather, Midnight's falsetto and debuting new drummer Robi Jakhotia. A new deal found Atlantic Records servicing the band for the USA, issuing two singles, 'Song For Angels' and 'The Chant', as promotional tools.

With 'Strange And Beautiful' the group changed tack in quite radical fashion, incorporating world elements as well as the inclusion of piano, saxophone, female backing vocals and a notably greater orientation towards keyboards, these embellishments not finding widespread favour amongst fans. Overall, CRIMSON GLORY had jumped genres from metal to rock in an experiment that sealed their fate.

Midnight quit the group after getting married and wishing to spend more time with his new bride and left before an upcoming tour. David Van Landing, who had previously worked with TONY MACALPINE was recruited for the shows. Further dates in Japan were booked yet subsequently cancelled as the group broke up, Van Landing hooking up with the MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP. Meantime, Swedish Metal band MORGANA LEFAY covered 'Lost Reflections' on their 1995 'Past, Present, Future' album.

Drenning, Lords and Jakhotia formed the Arizona based EROTIC LIQUID CULTURE during 1996 and released an album of Funk Metal through a Japanese label and in the UK via Quadra Records. The trio were soon back in the ranks of the CRIMSON GLORY mothership by the following year in a revised line-up that featured Drenning, Lords, Jakhotia, guitarist Billy Martinez and new vocalist Wade Black, previously with LUCIAN BLAQUE, to record a new album entitled 'Astronomica'. The album was finally released in 1999 and featured a line-up of Black, Jackson, Drenning, Lords and drummer Steve Wacholz of SAVATAGE repute. After many delays the album was greeted with almost universal appreciation especially in Europe.

MIDNIGHT, meanwhile, was approached by the Swedish group ZOIC to record with them but the group's finances were too tight so the deal fell through. However, the singer did unite with ATHEIST guitarist Rand Burkey to work on new material until the pair fell out publicly. Black decamped to SEVEN WITCHES in 2000. As 2001 dawned it emerged that Black, Ben Jackson and Jesse Martillo had founded a new Progressive Rock act SECTOR 9.

Jackson would also develop the BEN JACKSON GROUP announcing a roll call of Jackson on vocals and guitar, guitarist Mark Borgmeyer, bass player Danny Binz and drummer Rich Tabor. Recordings for a debut album entitled 'Here I Come' would see guitarist John Bajas guesting and CRIMSON GLORY colleagues vocalist Wade Black and bassist Jeff Lords contributing.

MIDNIGHT's album 'M' arrived in December 2001. Ex-singer Wade Black broke away from SEVEN WITCHES in mid 2002 and enlisted the services of the former NOCTURNUS pairing of guitarist Mike Davis and bassist/vocalist Emo Mowery for a fresh side band project billed as TIWANAKU.

Signals from the CRIMSON GLORY camp in July of 2003 pointed to a possible full blown, original line up reunion. However, this did not transpire. In December of 2004 the Greek Black Lotus label announced they had signed singer MIDNIGHT for a solo deal and an album project entitled 'Sakada'. Joining the vocalist in this venture would be CRIMSON GLORY colleague Ben Jackson on guitar, Scott Gibson on guitar and bass with Phil Anderson handling drums.

CRIMSON GLORY's own plans for 2005 would be announced as including a new studio album, dubbed 'Metatron, Lucifer And The Divine Chaos', plus a DVD 'Phantoms Of The Opera' featuring an entire vintage concert from 1989 plus footage from the 'Transcendence' world tour. Also in the works would be a retrospective, 20th anniversary box set 'Valley Of Shadows - Kingdoms Of Light' set to comprise unheard tracks and demos. Wade Black joined Anaheim Metal veterans LEATHERWOLF in July.

Having reunited with MIDNIGHT, the band announced signature of a multi-album deal with Black Lotus Records in April. This campaign was set to open with a series of original album remasters, the group taking the opportunity to re-issue the debut under a new title of 'Lost Reflections', adding not only all new artwork but previously hard to find bonus tracks 'Love Me - Kill Me' and 'Dream Dancer'. The second CRIMSON GLORY album, re-dubbed 'Transcendence : Renovatio', also came in for similar treatment with new album art and additional tracks.

However, it seemed all their effort had been in vain when, in May 2006, an ailing Black Lotus Records postponed all releases. Fortunately a new CRIMSON GLORY studio album was due in 2007. Polish label Metal Mind Productions kept the band in the public eye with November digipack re-issues of 'Astronomica' and 'Strange And Beautiful', the former hosting a bonus disc of demos and live tracks and both limited to 2000 hand numbered copies.

CRIMSON GLORY came in for some unwelcome press when on January 20th 2007 when Midnight was arrested in Sarasota, Florida. The singer was charged with DUI (driving under the influence). Midnight was also cited for driving with an unfit license. Bond for the 44-year-old vocalist, who had given his occupation as "painter" to the authorities at the time of the arrest, was set at $1,500.

The group quickly issued a statement reading "CRIMSON GLORY is saddened to announce that we have been forced to officially part ways with our longtime friend and vocalist, Midnight. This was a difficult but necessary decision for original band members who recently reunited for a rare performance at the Rockwave Festival last year in Greece.

We are brokenhearted by Midnight's personal crisis, and pray that he seeks help for his problems. We love and care for him very much, and really wanted him to be part of the future of this band. Unfortunately, working with Midnight at this time would be difficult, as his current state of mind and his present physical condition would impede plans we have in place for future appearances, releases and recordings." CRIMSON GLORY duly re-enlisted former singer Wade Black.

Midnight died on Wednesday 8th July 2009 at St. Anthony's Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida from "total kidney and liver failure." He was 47 years old. 

CRIMSON GLORY bassist Jeff Lords would not participate in the band's headlining appearance at the 'ProgPower' USA tenth anniversary festival on Friday, 11th September 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Garry Sharpe-Young