Crimson II by Edge Of Sanity

Edge of Sanity's 2003 album Crimson II is not only the second chapter in the narrative begun with 1996's masterpiece Crimson, but is also the band's final studio album to date.

We've already discussed Crimson in a dedicated article. “Crimson by Edge of Sanity” but let's not forget that Edge of Sanity had previously released masterpieces like "Unorthodox" and "Purgatory Afterglow," culminating in a crescendo that culminated with Crimson.

This is a beautiful reissue released in 2025 (Remastered by Dan Swanö) that couldn't be missing from any collection.

The mastermind behind this album is still the same, the genius Dan Swanö, who, in the years since their first album, has led the band to an evolution that is clearly felt in this work.

While at the time of Crimson, the band consisted of five members with two excellent guests, only Swano remains. He adds bass and drums to vocals, keyboards, rhythm, harmony, and acoustic guitar, and is fully responsible for composing, producing, and mixing. He continues (alone) the band's legacy. This album features the collaboration of Roger Johansson on growl lead vocals, Jonas Granvik on growl backing vocals, and Mike Wead with Simon Johansson on guitar.

This album also consists of a single, 43-minute track, divided into nine parts. It features rapid, rapid changes in tempo, including abrupt slowdowns, growl vocals alternating with splendid clear vocals, and guitars that range from melodic to harsh and powerful, revealing a remarkable complexity in the compositions.

I don't make comparisons with the first album, which has the surprise effect, its uniqueness. This second work contains years of evolution, research, and thought—elements you can feel. I love them both, precisely because of this evolutionary characteristic.

It evokes many emotions, from melancholic and melodic themes to aggressive and harsh ones.

It's impossible to make a track-by-track review; it's not an easy-listening album, nor is it monothematic and repetitive.

It must be listened to in its entirety and with great attention to fully appreciate all its nuances: the melodic and acoustic parts and the tendency towards hard rock, the death metal parts, and Swano's voice, which ranges from melodic to extreme harshness.

An excellent work that doesn't reach masterpiece status just because the first one amazed me more, but it's close.

A must-have for lovers of the genre, of Edge of Sanity, of Swano.

The Tracks

1. I - The Forbidden Words (1:40)
2. II - Incantation (6:00)
3. III - Passage of Time (9:51)
4. IV - The Silent Threat (3:20)
5. V - Achilles Heel (2:27)
6. VI - Covenant of Souls (7:31)
7. VII - Face to Face (3:27)
8. VIII - Disintegration (3:18)
9. IX - Aftermath (5:26)

Running Time: 43:00

Line-Up

- Dan Swanö - lead and rhythm guitar, bass, keyboards, drums, vocals (clean and growl), composer, producer, and mixer

Featuring:
- Roger Johansson - lead vocals (growl)
- Jonas Granvik - backing vocals (growl)
- Mike Wead - lead guitar
- Simon Johansson - lead guitar