Review CRIMSON GLORY “Chasing the Hydra”

Among progressive metal albums, few stir as much tension between anticipation and apprehension as a new release from Crimson Glory. Regarded as one of the genre’s most influential ’80s bands, the Florida-based group set high standards with their self-titled debut and the landmark follow-up, “Transcendence. ” While “Strange and Beautiful” proved to be a more scattered effort, it was followed by the band’s split – marking the beginning of their decades-long on-and-off trajectory that lasted until 2023.

Crimson Glory’s current lineup features three founding members—Jeff Lords, Dana Burnell, and Ben Jackson—alongside Mark Borgmeyer and vocalist Travis Wills. With “Chasing the Hydra,” the band presents its first studio album in 27 years – a release that few metal fans realistically expected.

The title track, released earlier this year as the album’s lead single, offered the first glimpse of the band’s new material. Listening to it for the first time evokes a mix of curiosity and hesitation. However, the song reveals its strengths with repeated listens. Nuanced details emerge, and Wills’ dynamic vocal range, from controlled melodies to soaring highs, adds depth and intensity. The real challenge lies in approaching the track and the album as a whole without constantly comparing them to the band’s iconic 1980s output. “Chasing the Hydra” is not a nostalgic replica, but rather a contemporary interpretation of Crimson Glory’s signature sound.

The album opens with “Redden the Sun,” a powerful and energetic track blending progressive structures with classic U.S. metal intensity. It is a strong and promising introduction. In contrast, “Broken Together” begins with acoustic guitar, gradually building into a six-minute composition that showcases the band’s musical range. Wills’ emotive delivery, including his signature high-pitched screams, recalls one of the band’s defining elements, and the song’s epic melodic framework reinforces another.

“Angel in My Nightmare” follows a similar path, standing out as one of the album’s highlights by successfully bringing together melody, complexity, and emotional weight. “Indelible Ashes” echoes progressive metal pioneers like Queensrÿche, and “Armor Against Fate” explores intricate arrangements. At the other end of the spectrum is the more straightforward “Pearls of Dust,” driven by Dana Burnell’s steady and powerful drumming.

The album concludes with “Triskaideka,” a dark and layered composition that lives up to its enigmatic title. Its complexity and shifting structures demand multiple listens to fully appreciate the depth of its melodies and arrangements.

Overall, “Chasing the Hydra” is a solid and engaging progressive metal album that captures the essence of Crimson Glory’s musical identity. While it does not surpass the towering legacy of their early works, it successfully reintroduces the band’s distinctive sound to modern times. The first two albums remain classic masterpieces, and Midnight’s unique voice continues to cast a long shadow. However, this fifth full-length effort proves that Crimson Glory still has a meaningful creative force decades later.