Crimson Glory - Transcendence (1988)

Now here's a metal album that refuses to date. It's been argued that vocalist Midnight is one of, if not the greatest metal singer of all time. Now sadly deceased, 'Transcendence' is just one of those metal albums that has everything for the metalhead. Crimson Glory werea w onderfully wistful and complex heavy metal band who stirred the emotions with their dark, brooding classic style of metal that reminds one of some type of glorious film soundtrack, the majestic title track reeks of a Zeepelin grace, whilst 'Painted Skies' soars like some Dio-esque opera, only far more clinical and wondrous, lifted to even higher levels of grace with those sultry vocals, 'Burning Bridges' and 'Red Sharks' conjuring more fantastic horizons, the album drawing the listener into a web of acoustic trances before unleashing a powerhouse of technical fury, 'Lady Of Winter' a perfect example of how Crimson Glory have perfected the art of progressive metal. Some may find this a little too epic, but one can't argue with the passion and prowess. Darkly magical. 8/10