CRIMSON MOON is an occultic, melodic, black/death metal band which came into existence in 1994 with members Nocturnal Overlord, Scorpios, and Trommelnd Herr, all from the ashes of San Diego Death Metal band "Infested". After some short rehearsals Trommelnd Herr left the band for unknown personal reasons, and Crimson Moon continued on as a two piece.
Shortly after, an un-rehearsed and limited recording was made in Dec '94 which later became known as the 1994 self titled demo. Only to be re-recorded and re-arranged in early 1995 with an extra track and released as the first official and widely distributed '95 demo "Into the Nocturnal Forest".
From mid 1995 to early 1996, Overlord would write the majority of what was originally supposed to be the next demo. Meanwhile, Scorpios moved to Los Angeles, causing distance problems within CM. In 1996 this material was finally recorded and was later released in 1997 as the debut Crimson Moon CD "To Embrace the Vampyric Blood" on Abyss Productions. Aphazel from the Norwegian black metal band Ancient also recorded a session/lead guitar track on the song "The Eye of Draconis" on Vampyric Blood. Two t-shirts and a long sleeve were also made to accompany the CD release.
Between 1996 and 1997, main songwriter Overlord started working and recording new material which later was known as the "Under the Serpentine Spell" rehearsal session. Drummer Grimfist joined the band in late '96, but due to distance issues shortly quit the band. In October of 1997 the "To Embrace the Vampyric Blood" CD was finally officially released and Blood Moon Ausar (from Dagon) came out to CA for 2 weeks and recorded most of the synths for UTSS as a session member. Shortly after the rehearsal recordings were finished in late '97, talks were made of re-recording the material for an official second CD release, but it never came to be.
Late 1997 Overlord started writing again for a third full length album.
In 1998 Scorpios went on tour with the band Ancient and then moved to Europe, never to move back to the US again. Between 1998 and 1999, Overlord continued as the main force of CM, and finished writing the music for the 3rd full length, meanwhile CM is put on hold and silent.
After two years of silence, 3 tracks from the Serpentine Spell rehearsal session were released as a limited promo CDr and cassette on Kthulu Productions in 1999.
In 2000, Overlord came up with the idea to re-record the "Into the Nocturnal Forest" demo, along with some new re-recorded versions of some other songs. A rehearsal recording was made and then never used.
Then after 3 years in Europe, Scorpios returned to the US for a short visit in late 2001.
The re-recorded demo songs were dug back up and re-recorded yet again along with some newer songs for the release "The Choice of Spirit". Talks were made with Blood Moon Ausar to do the synths for TCOS, but after years of waiting, Overlord decided to take over the synth duties and recorded them in 2003.
The first two CM t-shirt designs were again re-pressed in 2002 in limited quantities.
In 2004 the Serpentine Spell rehearsals were remixed and remastered by Overlord. After talking to some labels, it was decided to release UTSS as an official CD through Total Holocaust Records and Kthulu Productions. The "Under the Serpentine Spell" CD was officially released in February 2005 as both a regular CD version and a special limited edition version bearing the symbol of Crimson Moon, encased in a black shrouded pouch, resting upon serpent skin, wormwood, dragons blood, and the sacred Salvia Divinorum.
Also in 2005, a new song (As Predators Upon Prey) was started and recorded by Overlord to be included on "The Choice of Spirit". The song was finished in 2006, and "The Choice of Spirit" CD was finally released on 6/6/6 on Kthulu Productions. Two new t-shirt designs were also made before the release.
2006 also marked the first live Crimson Moon shows with a southwestern US headlining tour entitled "Alignment of the Serpentine Path" in support for The Choice of Spirit album. The tour brought CM throughout the southwest including performances headlining the Gathering of Shadows Fest in Colorado, playing the Sacrifice of the Nazarene Child Fest in Texas, and opening up for Belphegor in Tijuana Mexico.
A small Mexico Tour was then planned for late 2006. Scorpios was then released from the band due to personal differences and distance problems, and unfortunetly the tour had to be cancelled.
But with setbacks and delays removed, a new and stronger Crimson Moon emerged.
Plans were made to recruite a new CM line up and finally record the already written 3rd full length album.
In mid 2007, ex-drummer Trommelnd Herr returns to Crimson Moon, after 13 years, as full time drummer and percussionist. Rehearsals are quickly underway and going strong. Plans are made to record the next full length album in early/mid 2008.
Vocalist Lugubrem from Mexico's Mordskog is then initiated into the Cult of the Crimson Moon in January 2008. Recording sessions for the new album have begun, as well as possiblities of some select live shows in the summer of 2008.
I am now
recording for a new set of releases called the "Persona Series". These
cassettes will be commissioned works (not by content, but by payment)
for individuals. If John Smith in London, England wants his own Zebulon
Kosted album, I will make a 45 minute album (one side of a 90 minute
tape), 2 hand drawn mini posters, I will name the album after him
(Zebulon Kosted - John Smith), and the fan will retain all rights to
the recording (for use of any future release, sampling, or broadcasting
rights). One copy of the album will remain in my personal collection,
and one will be sent to the customer, so that the only copy that will
be in circulation will be John Smiths copy! Each album is available for
the ridiculously low price of $10 (not including shipping), and will be
shipped in its completed form no later than 6 weeks from the date of
purchase!!!
