EDGE OF SANITY — Crimson (review)

Album · 1996 · Melodic Death Metal

5/5 · 2011-06-28
The Angry Scotsman

WOW

That's all I could say after first listening to this album. The sheer scope of what just hit me had left me floored, but later the greatness sunk in as well. After taking small steps away from traditional death metal, Edge of Sanity makes a huge leap with this one. "Crimson" consists of one, 40 minute song. Yes. This is the king of prog metal epics.

The album kicks off strong, with crushing guitar and Swano's powerful growls. However, don't expect it to last long...or anything for that matter. "Crimson" really moves. No part lasts longer than 2 minutes, before its on to something else. Sometimes abrupt, sometimes flowing smoothly, indeed the best part of this album is its construction. Keeps you on your toes, and never grows stale over 40 minutes. Everything that can be thrown at you will be: Edge of Sanity's classic melodic death metal riffing, blast beats, acoustic guitar, growls, clean singing (both of which are great but Swano's growls really are superb) slow and mid tempo sections, crushing guitars, solos and a few surprises thrown in. That's all I can really say, this album is a progressive death metal epic that twists and turns, never too quickly but never waits too long either. How this album moves is its strongest victory, and its power and melody really help back it up. Never technical or complex, "Crimson" makes up for it in these other ways. The music and composition is perfect, Swano's vocals are amazing and fit the music. That's all I'll say, and that you really need to just try it for yourself.

Fans of death metal and old EoS may want to approach this cautiously, as it can be challenging and is way out of left field than anything else out there. For fans of prog metal though, this is a must. Even non prog metal heads should absolutely give this a try, since it does move around quickly. Brilliant work.

Masterpiece

FIVE STARS

more than 2 years ago
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alvarex3x wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Classic!!! 10 out of 10, 5 stars, Epic!!!!

Xaxaar wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Very good album, indeed. In my top three death metal albums only sharing the spotlight with Symbolic and Focus. Classics.

UMUR wrote:

more than 2 years ago

I like the way you describe the ever changing structure of the track. The way it moves from one section to another.

The Angry Scotsman wrote:

more than 2 years ago

never get* around ...oi

The Angry Scotsman wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Yes, one of the albums I could never around to reviewing because I wasn't really sure how lol
It's always great to try new things CJ! And if you can tolerate some growls/intense music you should enjoy, it really does mix things up over 40 minutes anyway!

UMUR wrote:

more than 2 years ago

One of the most essential progressive death metal releases.