Edge Of Sanity came out of the Swedish death metal
wave of the early nineties, but from the start they moved with a wider vision.
Led by Dan Swanö, the band approached
extreme metal with an openness that allowed long form storytelling, unusual
arrangements and strong personality. By the time “Crimson” arrived in 1996,
they were already known for stretching the format. The idea of a single long
concept track was a wild move in that era. The album became a point of
reference for adventurous metal fans. It also marked an important meeting of
creative minds, since Mikael Åkerfeldt of Opeth joined in on vocals and guitar. After years
out of print, the album returns in 2025 with a fresh remaster and a new remix
that places the spotlight back on one of the most talked about releases in
progressive death metal history.
The core
material of “Crimson” remains gripping. The movements shift from harsh violence
to sorrowful melodies and back again, carrying the story forward with steady
energy. The whole work moves with natural continuity, almost like a living
organism that twists, rises and collapses under its own emotional storm. Edge Of Sanity combined heaviness and melancholy
in a way that still feels striking. Swanö and
Åkerfeldt trade growls and clean phrasing
with strong chemistry, and the guitars build large shapes that tie the
narrative together. Everything feels connected without slipping into repetition
or padding. The band pushes through the narrative with raw confidence in their
own craft, turning a long concept into something that keeps attention from
start to finish.
The 2025
remaster brings new brightness and power. Swanö’s
new treatment adds stronger definition to the guitars, the harsh vocals have
more bite and the melodic lines cut through with more immediate presence. The
remix offers a different angle. It pushes the details forward in a way that
lets listeners experience familiar material through a fresh lens. Neither
version rewrites the past. They simply open the door so the album can reach a
new generation while giving long time followers something worth revisiting.
“Crimson”
remains one of the most ambitious stories ever told in death metal. It carries
emotional weight through harsh sound and tragic storytelling, showing how far
the genre can stretch without losing its core identity. This reissue is more
than a historical note. It brings back an album that still burns strongly. The
legacy keeps expanding, and with this edition the album returns with all its
fire intact.
Score: 9.0
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