After listening to Crimson for the first time, I was Shock. Dan Swanö is getting more and more of my admiration on each of his project I listen to. I first hear Swanö's work with Bloodbath and Katatonia. Like his mate Mikeal Akerfeldt of Opeth, Swanö seems to be a gifted musician.
Crimson II is the second part of the the crimson concept first release in 1996. Being now the only band member Dan Swanö decided to use his multiple talent. He's playing all of the instruments and singing all of the vocal parts. His voice seems to have improve a lot compare to the first crimson. He sings clean parts a lot more since Akerfeldt is not a guest this time. This album is divided in 9 chapter and Each chapter divided in small parts. This 43 minute song will put you on the ground.
The Forbiden Words.
The album starts with sad synth parts then a mighty death metal riff comes in. This reminds me a lot of Bloodbath works. The vocal is really low and can be compared to Akerfeldt. This intro starts the album with ferocious death metal groove.
Incantation
This parts have a lot more keyboard but is still in death metal mode. The riffing is great and the keyboard fits perfectly beside all this madness. Some of the riffs are more Chuga-chuga oriented. No clean vocal yet. Some Lead comes in and make the song pretty intersting. In IV parts you can hear clean guitar for the first time. A lot of progressive elements are in this chapter. All these element make it fun to listen. Some parts are so well executed that you can't think all of this come from one man.
Passage Of Time
Still in the same vein of Incantation, Passage Of Time starts with a small lead but the death metal groove is still on. Some of the Heaviest moment are coming from this chapter. This is the longest chapter. It is divided in 10 parts. The first solo can be heard in the third part. then he came Back to the death metal than another solo. The part Number V contain the first clean singng parts. This voice reminds me a bit of old akerfeldt clean voice in the Morningrise era. After this quiet passage the Frenzy is back again. A cool solo in the IX part comes to blow your mind. The Final part include piano for the first time. A beautiful part I must say. Nice singing again.
The Silent Threat
The Silent Threat is the punishing chapter. The start is really evil and slow. I love the keyboard overdubs in the Third part. The next part feature piano and acoustic guitar with delay. Another beautiful part.
Achile Heel
This chapter reminds me a lot of old dream theater. The vocal are growled and evil. This chapter is slow and have a lot of keyboard lead.
Covenant Of Souls
The first riff of The Forbidden Words is back again. It's so brutal. I love Swanö's drumming here. The song fades to black then came back with clean guitar melody and keyboard. This part is probably one of the the most progressive of the record. I love Dan's voice more and more at each listen. I nice emotional solo comes then a fast one hit pierce your ears. The ending of this chapter is a mix of death metal and clean parts
Face To Face
Face To face is probably my favorite part of this masterpiece. It's a lot more melodic. I love the leads. Dan is without a doubt a great guitarist and he showed with great these great melody.
Disintagration
This part starts with a cool melody then came back to the classical death metal style. The solo is really nice. Then a classic thrash triplet riff comes. The last part feature a nice riff with keyboard overdubs.
Aftermath
This if for me the best part. The most melodic part of all. A lot of solo. Clean and growling vocal. The song finishes with one of the best riff repeated for the cause. The clean vocal part is really nice. The solo is really apocalyptic. I love these kind of endings. The song fades with keyboard.
Pros:
-Creativity
-Heaviness
-The Melody
-The variety in the vocal
Cons:
-May be hard to listen to the whole record from the start to the head for some
-Some riffs are repetitive but remember that the whole record is a song by itself so some riff came twice.
