After over a decade of silence, Crimson Glory has returned to the stage, debuting its refreshed lineup on October 5 at the Keep It True Rising IV festival in Würzburg, Germany. The new ensemble features original members Ben Jackson (guitar), Jeff Lords (bass), and Dana Burnell (drums) alongside newcomers Travis Wills (vocals) from the Dallas-based progressive metal band Infidel Rising, and guitarist Mark “Borgy” Borgmeyer from Florida’s The Lost Boys.
This performance marked the band’s first live appearance in over 12 years, a significant moment for fans and the band itself. Reflecting on the occasion, professionally filmed footage of the show, showcasing the group’s renewed energy and chemistry, can be seen in several clips below.
In January 2024, Crimson Glory released “Triskaideka,” their first single featuring the new lineup. Lead vocalist Travis Wills spoke candidly about his apprehensions and the reception of the track. “At first, I was a little nervous reading the comments,” Wills admitted. “But then I was, like, it is what it is. I’m just gonna go out there, do my best, and let the chips fall where they fall.” For Wills, the fans’ embrace of his performance and the band’s approval of his contributions have been both validating and encouraging. “It’s really important that the fans of the band dig it,” he emphasized.
Taking on the role of lead vocalist in a band with such a storied history has not been without its challenges. Wills acknowledged the weight of stepping into the shoes of the late, iconic Midnight, Crimson Glory‘s original vocalist. “There’s a lot of weight that is on your shoulders,” Wills said. “And I had to think about it if this is something that I feel like I could do… And I’m glad that these guys trust me to bring that to the band.”
The band’s upcoming material is being carefully crafted to strike a balance between honoring their roots and showcasing their evolution. Ben Jackson explained, “We’re trying to go back more towards the roots of the band, like the sound and style of the first two albums… It just seems that the fans have always really embraced and loved the first two albums the most, so we’re going to try to recapture that sort of vibe and sound for this new album.”
For Wills, the opportunity to pay homage to Crimson Glory‘s history while forging a unique path has been a rewarding experience. “There’s a lot of hat tipping to Midnight in it, and there’s a lot of revisiting the sound from the first two albums. So I think everybody’s gonna be really pleased,” he shared.
Jackson echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the balance of nostalgia and innovation in their new music. “Stylistically, the way we’re writing, I think it’s right up the alley of what we were doing then. And Travis is gonna bring something new to this, because he’s a different guy, he’s his own guy.”
With a blend of reverence for the past and a drive to create something fresh, Crimson Glory’s new lineup appears poised to reestablish the band’s place in the metal world. We can look forward to a modernized yet faithful sound, with the promise of stellar new material to come.
