Astronomica is the fourth (and so far last) album by the American progressive metal

Progressive metal

Progressive metal is a subgenre of heavy metal originating in the United Kingdom and North America in the late 1980s...

 band Crimson Glory

Crimson Glory

Crimson Glory is an American progressive metal band that formed in 1982. They broke up in 1992, but decided to reform six years later.-Formation and debut album :...

, released in 1999 via Spitfire Records

Spitfire Records

Spitfire Records was a subdivision of Eagle Rock Entertainment located in New York, United States.In September 1998, Paul Bibeau founded, launched and rapidly developed Spitfire Records Inc. from a two-man operation located in his home bedroom in suburban Long Island, New York, to one of the...

 (USA) and Rising Sun (Europe). After a long hiatus following their less-than-successful album Strange and Beautiful

Strange and Beautiful (album)

Strange and Beautiful is the third album from progressive metal band Crimson Glory. Initially released in 1991, it was the first album after the departure of guitarist Ben Jackson and drummer Dana Burnell. The record was also their first, and last, for new label, Atlantic Records...

, the band reformed with Wade Black on vocals and Steve Wacholz (of Savatage

Savatage

Savatage is an American heavy metal band founded by the brothers Jon and Criss Oliva in 1978 at Astro Skate in Tarpon Springs, Florida.-Early days :...

fame) on drums. Although he is pictured in the album artwork (with the intention of being the new drummer), Wacholz never actually played on the record - a drum machine was used. Wade Black's vocal delivery was not appreciated by all fans, who were accustomed to Midnight's voice. Still, the album was greeted as a successful comeback.

Track listing

All tracks by Jon Drenning, Jeff Lords & B. Martinez except were noted

1. "March to Glory" – 3:28
2. "War of the Worlds" (Drenning, Lords) – 4:08
3. "New World Machine" – 4:14
4. "Astronomica" – 4:54
5. "Edge of Forever" – 5:47
6. "Touch the Sun" – 5:55
7. "Lucifer's Hammer" (Drenning, Lords) – 4:25
8. "The Other Side of Midnight" – 4:29
9. "Cyber-Christ" (Drenning, Lords) – 5:14
10. "Cydonia" – 5:47

A limited edition was released with a second disc with 3 live tracks with Midnight on vocals, recorded at Manatee Civic Center on Sept. 2, 1989, limited to 5000.

1. "Painted Skies" (J. Drenning, J. Lord, Midnight) - 7:10
2. "Queen of the Masquerade" (J. Drenning, J. Lord, Midnight) - 6:19
3. "Lost Reflection" (J. Drenning, J. Lord, Midnight) - 6:29

Credits

• Wade Black - Vocals
• Jon Drenning - Lead Guitar
• Ben Jackson - Rhythm Guitar
• Jeff Lords - Bass