Review by illusionist for Edge of Sanity - Crimson (1996)

OPUS

A legendary achievement in progressive and melodic death metal. This album consists of just a single 40-minute song. But oh what a song it is!

Crimson is a true roller-coaster of emotions and sonic textures, with about 100 different awesome riffs stuffed in. Certainly on the meaty and riff-oriented end of the "melodeath spectrum" for much of the musical duration, with loads of atmosphere and neat details added in between. Alongside the music, a post-apocalyptic fantasy saga on the scale of epochs unfolds. In fact, it almost plays like a death metal audiobook at times, with the riff change-ups marking plot twists in the story. It helps, of course, that Dan Swäno's harsh vocals are easily understood, with some superb heartfelt cleans mixed in too.  

Altogether, it's a masterpiece - a musical journey greater than the sum of its parts. The really special moments sprinkled throughout this album are among my favorites in all of metal. I won't say it's a perfect album as some of the transitions are a bit rough and a couple of the riffs are re-used a few too many times, but overall, this is an album that simply must be heard by anyone who wants to experience all that metal is capable of. I can still remember the first time I stumbled upon this gem on YouTube. I knew it was going to be an all-time favorite as soon as that very first violent riff thundered in. I pulled up the lyrics and followed along to the whole song/album in one sitting, transfixed at my desk for the duration. Still one of the most memorable musical experiences I've had to this day.