Review Summary: With "Transcendence" Crimson Glory managed to write their name on the golden pages of metal and also to sign the condemnation of their future career.
I firmly believe that this is one of the most inaccessible peaks of heavy metal. Perhaps not as bright or as other much-discussed, but a peak that probably some place higher than many others. If the first sample, with the title "Crimson Glory", was more of a warning, then with "Transcendence" this mysterious band managed to write her name on the golden pages of metal and also to sign the condemnation of their future career.
Ask a fan of heavy metal music to tell you his favorite album of 1988 and you will see the questioning on his face. How to choose between "Operation: Mindcrime", "Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son", "Keeper Of The Seven Keys pt. II" or "Transcendence". Those who know what this album is about will agree, while those who do not know will just get an idea of their artistic merit, and a well-deserved standing beside the other giants. It’s a sad story though that Crimson Glory stayed there and didn’t move forward or beyond “Transcendence”, so many people forget about their existence, their albums are sold in second hand stores and their name acquires a rather cult status.
Even today, however, the songs included in this album seem insurmountable in many ways, as compositions, melodies, guitar work and above all as the unique charisma of Midnight’s voice. “Transcendence” is the apotheosis of inspired heavy metal! From the rousing opening riff of "Lady Of Winter", with vocal lines from another planet, to the beauty that has the atmosphere of the title track to close, listening to the album is a journey into the grandeur of this music and indeed " somehow "a transfer to a transcendent dimension. This sentiment was captured by the first time I heard it and remains unchanged to this day, nearly fifteen years later.
Listening this masterpiece over and over for so many years, makes my absolutely sure that belongs to the category of supreme albums , unable to imagine how could be repeated either by themselves, or aspiring imitators. Their masks, their commercial spirit, the themes of their songs and their general approach simply accompany the greatness of their music and helped them to set up an even bigger myth surrounding them.
A myth that is centered on the magical voice of Midnight and on many rumors surrounding his life. This potential “Robert Plant of heavy metal” left an indelible name among the best with such a small sample script which makes me think he was rather passing from this world and belonged somewhere else.
A diamond-album of an era that is gone for good, but Crimson Glory’s legacy remains unsurpassed for many.
