CRIMSON GLORY – Chasing the Hydra

Crimson Glory have risen from the depths of obscurity to release their latest studio album, Chasing the Hydra (2026), and given it’s their first new album in 26 years, it’d be an understatement to say a lot was at stake for the band’s comeback. Formed in 1983 in Sarasota, Florida, Crimson Glory busted onto the American heavy metal scene alongside its contemporaries such as Queensrÿche, Dream Theater, Fates Warning, and Watchtower. Is it a bit strange to dress like prehistoric humanoid robots? Yes, but the same can be said for Kiss with their superhero makeup. Hey, props to them for wanting to stand out in the crowd! The lineup that plays on Chasing the Hydra includes Jeff Lords on bass guitar, Ben Jackson on rhythm guitar and backing vocals, Dana Burnell on drums, Travis Wills on lead vocals, and Mark Borgmeyer on lead guitar.

The Good and the Bad

Sorry to disappoint listeners who prefer classic radio heavy metal hits like Judas Priest’s “Breaking the Law” and Ozzy Osbourne’s “Crazy Train,” but Crimson Glory are not a commercial band! They are the complete opposite with chaotic guitar melodies, long jam sessions, and a lack of memorable hooks. To top things off, Wills’ singing voice ain’t exactly Jon Bon Jovi’s singing voice. In fact, he sounds more like Arthur Fonzarelli from Happy Days pretending to be a college girl while doing an impression of Rob Halford from Judas Priest. It’s not a pleasant listen! Chasing the Hydra sounds like a mismatched alphabet soup; there are lots of tasty ingredients, but the execution falls flat.

There are a few bright moments, thankfully. “Redden the Sun” is a gutsy and bombastic heavy metal song with a chugging guitar riff and a menacing bass line. The title track has a decent hook with the pre-chorus. “Angel in My Nightmare,” though it’s the longest song on the album at six minutes and 42 seconds, it’s got a haunting atmosphere that tells a story with the instrumentation. Also, the usage of acoustic guitars is gorgeous. “Beyond the Unknown” has a good beat, the bass line is fantastic, the song’s concept is smart and relatable, and the vocal melodies are not bad.

As mentioned earlier, most of the songs have the right ingredients, but the execution is terrible. “Broken Together,” like “Angel in My Nightmare,” also uses gorgeous acoustic guitar instrumentation, but it’s missing a memorable hook to latch onto. “Indelible Ashes” has a killer bass line, but the song stays at the same level the entire time. Think of a roller coaster without any drops or loops; that’s what “Indelible Ashes” sounds like. “Armor Against Fate” has a really cool guitar solo, but the song is all over the place that it’s easy to get lost in the music and not in a good way. “Triskaideka” has a dark and menacing bass line, but the song lacks excitement and emotion, and the closing guitar riff ends the song on a confusing note.

Final Assessment

There’s no denying the members of Crimson Glory are excellent musicians; they can really play! The album’s production highlights the band’s abilities by making the bass prominent in the mix and creating a raw and unpolished drum sound, which worked to Burnell’s benefit. It’s also worth mentioning that the album cover is freaking dope with the evil dragons, sparkling green gem in the middle, and the striking colors. Of course, everyone thinks differently and has their own musical taste. Therefore, for those who are interested in uncategorized progressive heavy metal, give Crimson Glory’s Chasing the Hydra a chance!

Album Tracklist

1. Redden the Sun
2. Chasing the Hydra
3. Broken Together
4. Angel in My Nightmare
5. Indelible Ashes
6. Beyond the Unknown
7. Armor Against Fate
8. Pearls of Dust
9. Triskaideka

Band Lineup

Jeff Lords – bass guitar
Ben Jackson – rhythm guitar and backing vocals
Dana Burnell – drums
Travis Wills – lead vocals
Mark Borgmeyer – lead guitar

Check out the latest single, “Angel in My Nightmare,” from Crimson Glory’s Chasing the Hydra!