Midnight- RIP Angel~4-29-62 to 7-8-09

Bio:

MIDNIGHT IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THE COLLABERATION WITH GUITARIST MATT LAPORTE OF JON OLIVAS PAIN AND BASSIST/DRUMMER LEE HARRISON OF MONSTROSITY. THESE REVERED MUSICIANS WILL ACCOMPANY MIDNIGHT ON HIS TEXAS TOUR AND ALSO ARE WORKING ON THE MUCH ANTICIPATED AND UPCOMING M2-DECENDING INTO MADNESS PROJECT. WELCOME TO THE FOLD GUYS!
ALSO REJOINING MIDNIGHT IS CO WRITER/PRODUCER OF SAKADA PHIL ANDERSON. PHIL BRINGS THE HAUNTING SOUNDS OF HIS HAMMER DULCIMER AND IS ALSO A WORLD RENOUNED DRUMMER

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The artist known as Midnight is perhaps one of the most revered and respected individuals ever to have emerged from the contemporary music scene. In truth, the categorization of 'rock singer' is simply too narrow and restricting to define his genius.

Blessed with the voice of an angel, a characteristically otherworldly texture and an amazing range, Midnight is able to channel an extraordinary amount of feeling into his songs as well as deliver them in the most unique manner. One of the most remarkable voices that has ever been and ever will be, a voice capable of sending shivers down your spine each and every time that you hear it. Midnights live performance has been compared to a cross between Luciano Pavarotti and Al Pacino. It is so theatrical yet so powerful and versatile that he can sound like several different characters during the course of a song.

But that is merely one of the multiple facets of the great man's artistry; his often off-the-wall lyrical imagery is capable of invoking mystical and magical symbolism, while the poetry paints exquisite depictions of rage and beauty.

His spell with progressive metal titans CRIMSON GLORY is well-publicized and familiar to most. The outfit actually formed back in 1982 and went through a couple of short-lived names including Pierced Arrow and Beowolf before settling on the distinctive Crimson Glory. Midnight joined soon after, and four years of song writing and intensive practice sessions preceded their global emergence in 1986, when their debut long-player was issued by Roadrunner Records. The album fused the majesty of Queensyche with the sheer power and sense of melody perfected by Iron Maiden, rivalling both of the aforementioned acts in terms of ingenuity and originality. The musicians' faces were obscured by silver masks, creating a sense of mystery and leading to speculation regarding their true identities, during this time they never allowed any photos without the masks... It took the newcomers only a couple of years to surpass their debut with an astounding sophomore effort, 1988's 'Transcendence', a joint release on MCA/Roadrunner. Crimson Glory had somehow managed to better their debut (itself a 10/10 release) by making 'Transcendence' even more complex, melodious, pompous and ambitious. Founding members Burnell and Jackson left the band before the release of the third album and subsequently formed an act called Parish. Crimson Glory, meanwhile, reshuffled their line-up and signed to Atlantic for 1991's 'Strange & Beautiful' set, an album which showed a move into more commercial, tamer waters. Not long after the sessions had been completed, Midnight left the band, leading to Crimson Glory's eventual demise. The other members dispersed and became involved with various other acts. All the while, Midnight remained out of sight. Speculation was rife that he had been unmasked as Mark Vanderbilt of Kamelot, a rumour which was swiftly quashed. Meanwhile, a new Crimson Glory returned for 1999's 'Astronomica' (on Rising Sun/Spitfire), featuring an excellent vocalist named Wade Black, which was more along the lines of their early work, although the fans were reluctant to acknowledge any incarnation of the band which was fronted by anyone other than Midnight. Midnight, however, reappeared a few years back with a low-budget demo/EP, which explored a more acoustic direction...midnight decided to release only 500 copies of the EP to his most diehard fans that frequent his website (www.themidnightmansion.com ) rendering it a rarity which can now fetch upwards of 150 dollars on ebay. Once again, Midnight vanished into the shadows before materialising again like the master illusionist he surely is, and in late 2004 it was announced that he had joined forces with Black Lotus Records to release his full-length debut solo album.

"Sakada", the forthcoming album, is a mesmerizing trip though the senses, an immaculately-produced affair which effortlessly mingles heavily psychedelic-tinged songs with several heavier numbers more reminiscent of the man's past, in addition to an impossibly-beautiful ballad that will surely conjure up some memories of a time long since passed...

So join the deviant angel, on a journey across the desert, on a camel that has no eyes, searching for a lonely paradise Midnight is back...

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Member Since:

March 29, 2006

Members:

Midnight; Vocals and Acoustic Guitar
Matt Laporte(Jon Olivas Pain): Guitars, Bass, Mandolin, Keyboards, Hammer Dulcimer,Programming
Lee Harrison (Monstrosity): Guitars, Bass, Keyboards, Drums, Editing
Phil Anderson (Spontaneous Habit) Hammer Dulcimer, Drums, Percussion
John Zahner (Jon Olivas Pain) Keyboards
Zane Black; Keyboards

Discography:
“M” (2000)
“Sakada” (2005)
"All Souls Midnight" (2008)

(With CRIMSON GLORY):
“Crimson Glory” (1986)
“Transcendence” (1988)
“Strange & Beautiful” (1991)


ANNOUNCING THE RELEASE OF THE ORIGINAL UNEDITED BAND MIX VERSION OF SAKADA (from 2005) AND THE RE-RELEASE OF M




This version of Sakada differs from the original commercial release. There are 9 songs totaling 52 minutes. It is about 6 min longer than the original and some of the songs are mixed quite differently from the commercial release. The bands original mix actually allows you to hear things that are not present on the commercial release. The reason for this is that the bands previous label remixed and edited portions of the album without the bands full consent. They also rearranged the song list order. This current UNEDITED version of Sakada is burned directly from the bands original final studio mix as the band would like you to hear it. With the exception of a few promo packs, this version of Sakada has never been distributed to the public. This Album is a full band production with a wide range of both acoustic and electric instrumentation. It is collaboration between vocalist Midnight, drummer/ hammer dulcimer player Phil Anderson, and guitarist/ bassist Scott Gibson. There is also an array of other guest musicians including Midnights former Crimson Glory band mate Ben Jackson. The edited remixed commercial Sakada Album was originally distributed worldwide on the Black Lotus record label in 2005.

Midnight "M" ( from 2000).

5 songs total M is mostly an acoustic Album with Mid playing most of the acoustic guitar tracks. This Album was never intended for mass commercial distribution. Only 500 pressed copies were made in the year 2000 and were sold on his website to his closest fans. That Album was sold out in a matter of weeks. In 2008 Midnight decided to re-release a few hundred copies of M. This is a limited edition re-release.

The cost of each album is $25 USD, which includes Shipping and handling, within the USA. There is an additional $7 charge for shipping to Europe and South America. Additional shipping charges may apply depending on the location.

All sales and shipping will be handled by Lee Harrison (armageddon3@hotmail.com) or Sabrina (lmw21200@msn.com).

Influences:

Joining Midnight are, among others, guitarist Matt LaPorte of JON OLIVA'S PAIN (ex-CIRCLE II CIRCLE) and drummer/guitarist Lee Harrison, best known as the founder and leader of Tampa, FL death metal legends MONSTROSITY. Harrison has also performed with such influential bands as ATHEIST and MALEVOLENT CREATION. The collabaration came about after the two sought out the much-fabled siren, known for his unique style and mystique. Says LaPorte: "Lee and I have always been fans of CRIMSON GLORY and Midnight. We have harbored a strong desire for years to work with Mid, one our idols. We both consider it an honor, as well as our duty, to be a part of bringing his magical, angelic voice back to the metal masses." The two will join Midnight on his July tour of Texas, along with drummer/percussionist master Phil Anderson, whose work on Midnight's 2005 release "Sakada" (Black Lotus Records) gave the record a very unique sound. The approach on the "Sakada" CD caught many fans of Midnight's work with CRIMSON GLORY off guard and entranced many a listener, including LaPorte. "While I was doing a press junket for the last OLIVA record, a journalist gave me a promo copy of 'Sakada'," Matt says. "For the next six weeks, while on tour, I listened to it 8-10 times every day. The hammer dulcimer is the most beautiful sound ever to grace my ears." In addition to finishing the "M2" record, Midnight and co. are structuring a setlist for their live shows, which will showcase not only songs from Midnight's acoustic-oriented solo releases, but also honor his famed CRIMSON GLORY back catalog, including several compositions from the much-heralded 1988 release "Transcendence".

Sounds Like:

MIDNIGHT - THE END MIDNIGHT - DESCENDING INTO MADNESS TRAILER MIDNIGHT - LITTLE AQUAFINA PRE-PRODUCTION VIDEO