Crimson Moonlight
| Crimson Moonlight | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Background information | |
| Origin | Jönköping, Sweden |
| Genres | Black metal,Unblack metal,Christian metal,symphonic black metal |
| Years active | 1997–present |
| Labels |
Endtime (2006–present) Rivel Records (2003–2006) |
| Associated acts | Antestor, Sanctifica, Pantokrator, Miseration, Inevitable End |
| Website | crimsonmoonlight.com |
| Members | Pilgrim Bestiarius XII Gustav Elowsson Per Sundberg Johan Wold Ylenstrand |
| Past members | See former members |
Crimson Moonlight is a Swedish unblack metal band. The band was formed in the summer of 1997 with the mere intention of recording a primitive old school black metal demo and playing one show before breaking up. However, the breakup never happened, and they have since recorded two EPs and three full-length albums. They were previously signed to Rivel Records, currently to Endtime Productions. They have toured US twice, and have been featured in two metal documentary films.
Crimson Moonlight was formed by Simon "Pilgrim" Rosén (vocals), Gustav "Gurra" Elowsson (drums), Petter Stenmarker (guitar, keyboards), Jonathan Jansson (guitar), and Simon Lindh (bass) in the summer of 1997. They recorded a demo called Glorification of the Master of Light. Originally, their intention was to split the band after recording that demo, but they decided to carry on. In the year 1998, they recorded their first studio EP titled Eternal Emperor, which presented a more keyboard-driven symphonic black metal style, in contrast to the more primitive, Horde-inspired music found on their demo. In 1998, Crimson Moonlight released a live album titled Live in Varsås, and in 2001 released their second demo titled Heralding the Dawn.
A few years later, Crimson Moonlight signed a record deal with Rivel Records, a small Swedish label held by Christian Rivel. During that time, Jonathan Jansson and Simon Lindh left the band. Hubertus Liljegren, formerly of the then-split-up group Sanctifica, along with Per Sundberg, joined Crimson Moonlight as guitarists. In 2003, Crimson Moonlight recorded their first studio album titled The Covenant Progress. Musically, the album took a more melodic black metal direction with less emphasis on symphonic keyboards. The album received positive reviews from metal music media, and by 2005 it had sold 2300 copies. During 2003, Crimson Moonlight played several tours around Europe to support The Covenant Progress.
In 2004, Crimson Moonlight recorded their second album titled Veil of Remembrance. The album showcased several changes in the band's style: they left keyboards in order to achieve a far more brutal sound, and went to incorporate grindcore and brutal death metal influences into their sound, inspired by groups such as Nile, Origin, Rotten Sound, and Nasum. During the studio sessions, Jani Stefanovic (of Divinefire, Renascent, and many other band's fame) was in Crimson Moonlight's line-up and had a notable role in creating their new style, now called death/black metal. Just like its predecessor, Veil of Remembrance was officially released on January 26, 2005 although it was already available since December 4, 2004. The album received positive reviews like its predecessor, but ended up selling fewer copies than The Covenant Progress. In an interview with Harm magazine, the band believed that p2p-filesharing affected the low sales. They toured Europe again to support the album. At the end of 2004, they also released a compilation album titled Songs from the Archives, which included the Eternal Emperor EP, tracks from both albums, demo tracks, and live recordings.
...
Wikipedia