Crimson (Edge of Sanity album)
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Crimson is a concept album by Edge of Sanity, recorded in 1996. It features a single 40 minute track, telling a story in the distant future when human civilization is about to end. For several years, it was the longest song in all of metal, until Green Carnation released Light of Day, Day of Darkness, clocking in at 60 minutes.
The album tells the story of a world where humans can no longer beget children. Into this atmosphere of despair a child is born to the King and Queen of the barren Earth. The birth of the child takes the life of the Queen, and the King is left to rule the Earth and raise his daughter on his own. The people think the child is a sign that God will give them back the ability to give birth, but the child grows into a teenager and the humans still cannot reproduce. Then the king dies, and men fight over his throne, one eventually gaining it.
This new king crushes the rebellions against his illegitimate rule and is generally hated by the populace. Eventually they persuade the Child to lead an overthrow. She is left alone to plan, and then the forces of evil beckon to her. She accepts an unholy Master and gains powers. She slays the false king easily and begins ruling Earth. The people watch her intensely, because it was thought that by restoring the rightful ruler, they might be granted the gift of breeding. But the child (now the Queen) misleads the people, and slays the elders who the humans had preserved for their wisdom. Word of this gets out and a group of rebels gathers to stop her. They find a way to neutralize her power and then place her in the same preservative tank that the elders were kept in.
The content is weighty, and it uses archetypal devices and characters to create a rich and fulfilling story. The music goes well with the story. It relies on repeating themes and reprises to convey emotions and suggest action. It goes from high to low and back again while following the arc of the story.
Track listing
- Crimson (40:00)
Personnel
- Andreas Axelsson - Right Guitar
- Benny Larsson - Drums, Inspiration
- Anders Lindberg - Bass Guitar
- Sami Nerberg - Left Guitar
- Dan Swanö - Center Rhythm and Harmony Guitar, Clean and Acoustic Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals
- Anders Måreby - Death-Cello Bizarre
- Mikael Åkerfeldt - Lead Guitar & Additional Vocals.
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