Crimson Storm – Livin’ On the Bad Side

Crimson Storm
Livin’ On the Bad Side
Label: Fighter Records
Out: January 14^th, 2025
Playing time: 33:46

Crimson Storm was founded in 2009 by guitarist and main songwriter Lögan Heads. His intention was to bring new glamour to the Heavy/Power/Speed Metal of the 80s and bands like Riot. After various line-up changes, he found a stable line-up in 2012. The debut EP ‘Motor City Maniac’ was released in 2014. The single/EP ‘Speed Hammerin’ Metal’ followed one year later. After that, apart from a demo in 2020, it was relatively quiet. Now the band’s debut album ‘Livin’ On the Bad Side’ is scheduled for 2025.

The intro ‘Night Of The Tyrant’ starts with a short synth fade in. Then a melodic guitar hook line can be heard. The whole thing ends with some synth gimmicks. Well, I could do without that. The first regular song ‘Raging Eyes Of Darkness’ offers high-speed riffs, mercilessly driving drums and slightly raspy, sometimes pressed-sounding vocals. You can also hear melodic choruses from time to time. But also a fast guitar solo. This is where the mastermind can really let off steam. ‘Outrageous’ starts with siren wails, which are replaced by fast riffs. Once again, the musicians set a fast pace. Pau Correa occasionally belts out some high Metal screams. In ‘Abuse Of Power’, the band goes one better. The double bass repeatedly ensures a very high tempo. On the other hand, ‘Nightmare Deceiver’ can almost be seen as a breather. Very rhythmic with a few choruses, the song is more in the mid-tempo range.  Towards the end there is a huge guitar solo. With ‘Speed Hammerin’ Metal’, the title is the concept. A crazy Speed Metal cracker. The drums are hammering. Pol Esteban has hard work to do. And the singer once again belts out high Metal screams. The guitar solo is no less impressive. ‘Harakiri Rendez-Vous’ starts quietly. But that’s not what the band wants. Soon there is a high tempo to be heard here too. Guitarist Lögan Heads impresses once again with both his solo and the hook lines. The next Speed Metal banger follows with ‘Headfukker’. High Metal screams and thunderous drums stand out. The final song ‘Seven Days Of Mayhem’ is also pure Speed Metal.

Speed Metal often has the problem that it just blasts away. Crimson Storm, however, score points with their varied songwriting. Even though the songs have a high tempo throughout, there are always melodic passages to be heard. Pau Correas’ vocals are convincing, and Lögan Heads shows off his guitar skills time and again during his solos. ‘Livin‘ On the Bad Side’ is a successful debut album.

Crimson Storm – Raging Eyes of Darkness: https://youtu.be/9C_Kq-MUaN8?si=oeL-t3DRzAHcMzQK

Lineup:

Pau Correas – Vocals
Lögan Heads – Guitar, Backing Vocals
Aless Oppossed – Bass, Backing Vocals
Pol Esteban – Drums

Track list:

• Night Of The Tyrant
• Raging Eyes Of Darkness
• Outrageous
• Abuse Of Power
• Nightmare Deceiver
• Speed Hammerin’ Metal
• Harakiri Rendez-Vous
• Headfukker
• Seven Days Of Mayhem