CRIMSON GLORYCRIMSON GLORY
By Andrew Paul
1999 saw the long awaited return of Crimson Glory with their new album "Astronomica", their first since 1992's "Strange & Beautiful". With Wade Black replacing the legendary Midnight in the vocal department, and with the addition of ex-Savatage drummer Steve Wacholz to the ranks, Crimson Glory are primed for the challenge's ahead, including in April, their European tour with Kamelot.
Andrew Paul:- First, congratulations on the
masterpiece 'Astronomica'. 'March of Glory' apart from a
wonderful introduction seems to act as a snapshot of the 20th
century. Do you think this is a fair comment?
Jon
Drenning:- On 'March to Glory', we tried to capture an important
piece of history and place it within the context of a song. I
don't if many bands have attempted to do this before, but I
thought it was a good idea; and the melody/march really lended
itself to what I had in mind. The song concentrates on the Allied
forces landing at Normandy, France, during WWII and the battles
that ensued. It's also symbolic of our return to the prob/power
metal scene. We wanted to make a strong statement and to
recapture the fans attention, and say, "We're Back!!!".
We also think it would make a good song to open our shows with on
our upcoming tour early next year. This song is a perfect example
for how we try to come up with new ways to get our influeneces
and ideas across within our music.
Andrew:- The album could be a soundtrack for the return of the Egyptian Gods.Were you hoping for that type of response in the listeners imaginative process?
Jon:- Well, your always
trying top get the full attention of the listener and take them
places within their mind; so that they can "see" the
pictures your creating within your music. And we're always
flattered when fans tell us the positive effect our music has on
them, and how it personally has effected their lives.
Andrew:-Unlike many bands/artists who return after a period of while, you seem to captured the essence of classic Glory whilst absorbing some of the 'now' how difficult was that to achieve?
Jon :- Well, it wasn't difficult really. We just went into the studio and created music the way we had done in the past. But everything you encounter in your life is going to effect your music, So I imagine some of the newer bands and sounds have influenced us in some ways. I think that may be why we were able to achieve the "classic" sound -- and at the same time still sound 'new'.
Andrew:-
The press release mentions your interest in Robert Bauval, Graham
Hancock & Adrian Gilbert (Have you read the latter's 'Holy
Kingdom' yet? It suggests a truth behind Arthurian tales). Did
their work fire the concept of 'Astronomica'? Is the fact that
those writers question the status quo part of their appeal, do
Crimson Glory feel some kind of kinship to them?
Jon: Yes, I have read all of the authors works except for 'Holy Kingdom'. So I think it's fair to say they had an influence on me and for many of my ideas and concepts for Atronomica. But I've always been extremely interested in esoteric subject matter, particularly when it involves mankind and our place within the universe.
Andrew:-
And was there any one thing that raised doubts in your mind about
the 'certainties' of conventional Egyptology? For example, seeing
granite blocks carved with industrial precision when ancient
Egypt was only supposed to possess soft bronze.
Jon: Well, when you consider the amount of technology it takes to build some of the buildings we have constructed today, it is truly amazing how the Egyptians were able to achieve such fantastic architecture thousands of years ago. The pyramids in particular -- as they truly seem to be more than just tombs as has been suggested by the old school Egyptian archeologist. Indeed, they appear to be true 'monuments' to mankind. The sheer magnitude of the structures and the detail involved certainly raises many questions as to how and who really constructed them, and has led to many controversies surrounding the subject.
Andrew:-
Why the halt after the superb 'Strange & Beautiful' album?
And was the excellent Erotic Liquid Culture album the catalyst
for Crimson Glory's return? And what happened to Midnight, and do
you maintain contact with him?
Jon: Jeff and I decided to put the brakes on everything right after recording Strange & Beautiful. Prior to S&B, we had developed a good working chemistry within the band. Jeff and I were the primary songwriters, and Midnight took care of the majority of the lyrics; while also contributing a song for each album, i.e., 'Lost Reflection' and 'Transcendence'. On our third album, Midnight insisted upon us using more of his songs, lyrics, music, everything.And since he "was" our vocalist, we basically we had to give in to his demands. The end result speaks for itself, as it drastically effected and changed our style and musical direction.
Don't get me wrong, I not saying that "Strange & Beautiful" is not a good album; it's just not a true Crimson Glory record. Therefore, Jeff and I decided to wait until we could reform the band in the future at some point; when we could recapture the original sound we had envisioned for the band. We knew whichever new singer we chose would have to be as unique and as versatile as Midnight -- not the same mind you -- but equally 'special'. We also wanted to do an album at a time it would not fall of deaf ears, as the music scene had really changed; going into a more grunge direction. In the meantime, Jeff, Ben and I did do several side projects -- just keeping busy. But they weren't the bands we wanted to pursue full-time in the future. We always knew reforming Crimson Glory was and would always be our primary objective; we knew CG 'was' our future... As far as Midnight's concerned, I believe he's presently working as a painter of some sort. I know he's not into music scene anymore. We did approach him in the beginning about singing on "Astronomica," but he was really not into it; nor was he in the condition to perform at the level needed to make a comeback -- at least not in our minds.
Andrew:-
Wade Black is an excellent singer. How did you find him?
Jon: Jeff and I first saw Wade singing for the band Lucian Blaque while opening another one of our side projects called Crush in 1993. He really intrigued us with his aggressive vocal style as well as with his strong stage presence. I remember telling Jeff at that very moment we first saw him , "We could make kick ass records with this guy!" So, we asked Wade for his telephone number after the show and told him we'd stay in touch. However,I didn't call him for three years (laughs). As time passed Jeff and I would bring him up during our conversations while driving or whatever, and we would imagine what it would sound like with him singing our songs. We really used to get pumped up just thinking about the possibilities! (laughs).
So, after is was obvious Midnight wasn't going to be able to rise to the occasion, I immediately called Wade and had him come down to our studio to sing on the demos within 24 hours! It 'was' that simple. We had a clear vision of what we wanted for the band, so we were very pleased by the results from the first song Wade recorded for us. It confirmed for us he was indeed the perfect singer for us. I always knew Wade was the man for us from the verybeginning. To be perfectly honest, we think he fits our new sound much better then Midnight would... In regards to Midnight, I remember some people didn't like him at all in the beginning; he reminded people of the screechy-sounding singer for Krokus (laughs). But Ben and I thought he would make a great singer, especially after hearing his unique ability to express emotion through words. Fortunately, through tutoring and coaching, he developed into a great singer and fit in well with our music. And I think Wade, in a lot of ways, reminds me of early Midnight because of his hunger, his drive; qualities Midnight possessed in the beginning. Wade's a special singer who. I think in time become a star...
Andrew:-
How did Steve 'Doc' Wachloz come to join the ranks?
Jon: We've been friends
for many years, ever since the inception of our bands. We're all
from the same area within Florida and had met on several
occasions and knew about each other through friends. When we
began working on Astronomica, we approached him directly and
played him four songs. He was blown away!!! We made it perfectly
clear to him he was the only drummer that we were interested in
the band. Doc fits well with us and has a similar professional
approach to the music business. He's professional, has lots of
experience, and is a good person with strong values -- he's
definitely is the right drummer for us at this stage.
Andrew:- The time is right in Europe for the style of music you are presenting. Have you kept in touch with the developing progressive/power metal scene? And how do you think the USA will react to 'Astronomica'? Will there be room for such an epic & intelligent approach?
Jon: I've recently been
listening to more and more CDs from the newer bands in the
prog/power metal scene. I really like Vanden Plas, Angel D ust,
and a band form Sweden called Pain of Salvation. Hopefully bands
like us and others can help get the scene in America happening
again. We would be proud to be one of the bands that puts the US
back on the map for our musically genre. But I think bands like
Dream Theater and Fates Warning have made some good albums over
the last few years and have helped to keep the flame burning
here... American fans are more trend oriented than Europeans.
However, they are beginning to really appreciate the great music
that is coming out of Europe these days, so hopefully we'll be as
appreciated as well..
Andrew:- What are your expectations for the album? Obviously sales are important, but will you be equally pleased if it fires someone's imagination enough to investigate ancient mysteries, such as Egypt, further?
Jon: Well, I don't know if it will cause there to be investigations into the mysteries of ancient Egypt (laughs). But I hope it gets people's attention and stirs their imaginations, as well as opening their minds to he possibilities that are 'out there'... the possibilities for the future...
Andrew:-
What touring plans are there? And will you perform the album, a
la 'Mindcrime', i.e. in it's entirety?
Jon: We're presently
working on a tour for Europe early next year.Hopefully, with a
band like Vanden Plas and/or another band like Angel Dust. I
think it would make a great bill with the three of us together. I
really like those bands. But it's still in the early stages to
say for sure who we'll be touring together. We also have plans to
go to Japan in February before returning to the US in early
spring for some shows. We also have been confirmed for the larger
outdoor festivals in Europe next summer... We'll play the
majority of the material off of our new CD, but we also look
forward to playing many of our older songs as well.
Andrew:- So, will you see the new century in watching the Sun rise over the Giza plateau?
Jon: Right now, I have no definite plans. But I would love to be somewhere special to herald in the new millennium. However, I think it's more important with who your with than where you are. I'm sure I'll think of something special...