Bringing The Darkness To The Light

Bringing The Darkness To The Light with Catherine Nadal

Crimson Glory Reborn: Ben Jackson on Legacy, Midnight, and Chasing the Hydra
Guest Ben Jackson from the Band Crimson Glory

A Metal Legend Steps Into the Light

In this episode of Bringing the Darkness to the Light, host Catherine Nadal welcomes Ben Jackson, guitarist for the 1980s metal band Crimson Glory. Catherine opens by expressing her excitement as a longtime fan of 1980s music and says she hopes to uncover stories that may not have been told before. Ben explains that Crimson Glory has been active again after a long absence, beginning with the single “Triskaideka” and continuing with a new album, Chasing the Hydra, released through BraveWords Records.

Crimson Glory’s Comeback and a New Chapter

Ben describes Crimson Glory’s return as a busy and rewarding comeback. After releasing “Triskaideka,” the band introduced two newer members, Travis Wills on vocals and Mark Borgmeyer on guitar. Since then, Crimson Glory has played European festivals, reintroduced itself to fans, and completed the album Chasing the Hydra. Ben says the response has been strong, with reviews praising the album and fans commenting that the new music sounds like classic Crimson Glory. The band is also preparing for a run of festival dates beginning in Spain.

Bandcamp, Fan Access, and a New Era of Connection

Catherine and Ben discuss how modern technology has changed the relationship between bands and fans. Ben mentions a live Bandcamp listening party where fans could chat directly with band members and ask questions. Catherine notes that this kind of interaction did not really exist in the 1980s, when fans often had little chance to meet their musical heroes unless they were somehow chosen from the crowd. Ben says Crimson Glory now makes itself available at shows for signings, photos, and casual fan interaction without charging extra.

Sarasota, Florida, and the Birth of Crimson Glory

Looking back to the band’s origins, Ben explains that Crimson Glory grew out of earlier bands he had formed with drummer Dana Burnell while they were still in high school. The lineup eventually came together with Jon Drenning, Jeff Lords, and vocalist Midnight. Ben says the group began in Sarasota, Florida, playing cover songs at parties and clubs before deciding that if they wanted a serious future, they needed to write original music. Around 1983, while still very young, they shifted away from covers and began developing their own sound.

Florida’s 1980s Metal Scene

Ben recalls that Florida had a strong music scene in the early 1980s, especially around Tampa. He mentions bands such as Savatage, Power Surge, Death, Morbid Angel, Deicide, and Roxx Gang as part of the broader Florida rock and metal environment. He describes the era as an exciting time when heavy metal was thriving, clubs were active, and fans embraced the music and fashion of the decade. Crimson Glory’s first album began taking off around 1985 and 1986 after recording demos at Morrisound in Tampa and signing with Par Records in the United States and Roadrunner Records in Europe.

Heavy Metal, Censorship, and Music as Therapy

Catherine brings up the 1980s controversy around censorship, parental concern, and artists like Dee Snider defending heavy metal. Ben recalls that period, including the Judas Priest court case, and says people questioned whether heavy metal was dangerous. Both Catherine and Ben contrast that older suspicion with today’s understanding that music can help people emotionally. Ben says music has been therapy for him, and he has heard from fans who say Crimson Glory’s albums helped carry them through difficult periods in their lives.

Ben’s First Pull Toward the Guitar

Catherine asks Ben how he first found himself holding a guitar. Ben says he was drawn to music as a child, listening to records by artists such as the Beatles, Iron Butterfly, Santana, and others. At first, he wanted to be a drummer, but by around age thirteen his focus shifted to guitar. He says the desire was not accidental; he thought about it, dreamed about it, and knew he wanted to play. He also describes growing up in a musical home, where his father played jazz piano on a baby grand and his parents listened to records regularly.

Remembering Midnight

A large part of the interview focuses on Midnight, Crimson Glory’s original vocalist. Ben says Midnight was the last major piece to join the band, coming in after the musicians were already together. At the time, Midnight was known more for playing acoustic guitar and singing softer, folky material such as Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin songs. Once he tried singing heavy rock and metal material, the band immediately realized he was special. Ben also shares the story of Midnight’s name, saying Midnight had already been known by that name in high school after a girl in California gave him the nickname shortly before she died in an accident.

Honoring a Friend Through Music

Ben also discusses the memorial tribute show Crimson Glory performed for Midnight at the ProgPower festival in Atlanta after his passing. The band was invited to appear and honor him, and singers from many other bands joined the performance. Ben says each Crimson Glory song featured different guest vocalists, with around seventeen or eighteen singers participating throughout the set. He describes the event as deeply special, memorable, and meaningful because of how loved Midnight was in the prog metal community.

Travis Wills and the Return to Classic Crimson Glory

Catherine asks how Crimson Glory sounds now with current vocalist Travis Wills. Ben says the band has returned strongly to the feel of its first two albums. While previous singers such as Wade Black and Todd La Torre were talented and important to the band’s history, Ben says Travis captures more of the essence of Midnight while still bringing his own voice and style. He believes the band currently sounds better live than it ever has, with Travis handling the old material well and bringing health, control, and consistency to the stage.

The New Songs: Red in the Sun, Chasing the Hydra, and Broken Together

The episode features several songs from the new album. Ben describes “Red in the Sun” as a powerful opening track written by Jeff Lords and Travis Wills, chosen because it has the heavy energy and excitement needed to begin the album. He calls “Chasing the Hydra” the title track and says its opening riff intentionally echoes the band’s older song “Red Sharks,” immediately signaling classic Crimson Glory. He describes “Broken Together” as more mysterious and emotional, beginning with a mellow acoustic section before developing into a harmony-driven piece that many fans have identified as one of the album’s strongest connections to the band’s earlier sound.

Touring, Fan Favorites, and Armor Against Fate

Catherine asks which songs Ben looks forward to playing live. He says he never tires of the classic material from the first two albums because audiences still love it, but he is especially excited to perform new songs such as “Angel in My Nightmare,” “Beyond the Unknown,” and “Pearls of Dust.” He closes the interview by discussing “Armor Against Fate,” a song he says reflects on time, regret, fate, past decisions, and the things left unsaid. Catherine thanks Ben for the interview, and the episode closes with “Armor Against Fate,” followed by the show’s outro.