Crimson Glory – Astronomica

From Midnight's Facebook page on November 11 2021:

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=10160378753262908&id=99197487907

Statement from John Zahner———Transcendence was an amazing album to be a part of. Even though I was never an official member of Crimson Glory I was there for the rehearsals and construction of this epic proto Prog Metal album. Midnight, Jon, and Jeff, did the lion share of writing with Dana, and Ben, and even myself all adding to the stew. Recording this album was unique as it was decided from the get go to be one of the first to be realized on a Synclavier II. This meant all events were recorded not just to tape but also digital world. Les Macar whose instrument it was had recently upgraded his system to include Winchester Drives where everything was stored. This set of drives also had a wide range of sampled sounds we could use as our orchestra. Rudimentary Drums were recorded and saved Next Dana played over the tracks adding cymbals and extra events, then Jeff added the bass which pulled all the rhythm tracks together and gave them that human element. Guitars went on next, layers of Brilliantly conceived Metal madness, but with deep foundations all supporting this monolith. Midnight sang many in one take the complex vocal arrangements augmented by Janelle Sadler and some of Tampa Bays best on backups. I along with Les, Jim, and usually Jeff helped flesh out the rest on the Synclav, EMU Emax, Yamaha DX7II, PPG Wave 2.3 and Roland D-50. After mixing and mastering we realized that bringing this album to our Crimson Glory fans would be an effort of love and require An extra vocalist, and a keyboardist, me. There is a full remaster of this CD planned, and maybe some more live DVDs of the 1989 tour. Happy Rock'n Anniversary Transcendence!

From Midnight's Facebook page on November 11 2021:

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=10160378753262908&id=99197487907

Statement from John Zahner———Transcendence was an amazing album to be a part of. Even though I was never an official member of Crimson Glory I was there for the rehearsals and construction of this epic proto Prog Metal album. Midnight, Jon, and Jeff, did the lion share of writing with Dana, and Ben, and even myself all adding to the stew. Recording this album was unique as it was decided from the get go to be one of the first to be realized on a Synclavier II. This meant all events were recorded not just to tape but also digital world. Les Macar whose instrument it was had recently upgraded his system to include Winchester Drives where everything was stored. This set of drives also had a wide range of sampled sounds we could use as our orchestra. Rudimentary Drums were recorded and saved Next Dana played over the tracks adding cymbals and extra events, then Jeff added the bass which pulled all the rhythm tracks together and gave them that human element. Guitars went on next, layers of Brilliantly conceived Metal madness, but with deep foundations all supporting this monolith. Midnight sang many in one take the complex vocal arrangements augmented by Janelle Sadler and some of Tampa Bays best on backups. I along with Les, Jim, and usually Jeff helped flesh out the rest on the Synclav, EMU Emax, Yamaha DX7II, PPG Wave 2.3 and Roland D-50. After mixing and mastering we realized that bringing this album to our Crimson Glory fans would be an effort of love and require An extra vocalist, and a keyboardist, me. There is a full remaster of this CD planned, and maybe some more live DVDs of the 1989 tour. Happy Rock'n Anniversary Transcendence!

From Midnight's Facebook page on November 11 2021:

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=10160378753262908&id=99197487907

Statement from John Zahner———Transcendence was an amazing album to be a part of. Even though I was never an official member of Crimson Glory I was there for the rehearsals and construction of this epic proto Prog Metal album. Midnight, Jon, and Jeff, did the lion share of writing with Dana, and Ben, and even myself all adding to the stew. Recording this album was unique as it was decided from the get go to be one of the first to be realized on a Synclavier II. This meant all events were recorded not just to tape but also digital world. Les Macar whose instrument it was had recently upgraded his system to include Winchester Drives where everything was stored. This set of drives also had a wide range of sampled sounds we could use as our orchestra. Rudimentary Drums were recorded and saved Next Dana played over the tracks adding cymbals and extra events, then Jeff added the bass which pulled all the rhythm tracks together and gave them that human element. Guitars went on next, layers of Brilliantly conceived Metal madness, but with deep foundations all supporting this monolith. Midnight sang many in one take the complex vocal arrangements augmented by Janelle Sadler and some of Tampa Bays best on backups. I along with Les, Jim, and usually Jeff helped flesh out the rest on the Synclav, EMU Emax, Yamaha DX7II, PPG Wave 2.3 and Roland D-50. After mixing and mastering we realized that bringing this album to our Crimson Glory fans would be an effort of love and require An extra vocalist, and a keyboardist, me. There is a full remaster of this CD planned, and maybe some more live DVDs of the 1989 tour. Happy Rock'n Anniversary Transcendence!

From Midnight's Facebook page on November 11 2021:

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=10160378753262908&id=99197487907

Statement from John Zahner———Transcendence was an amazing album to be a part of. Even though I was never an official member of Crimson Glory I was there for the rehearsals and construction of this epic proto Prog Metal album. Midnight, Jon, and Jeff, did the lion share of writing with Dana, and Ben, and even myself all adding to the stew. Recording this album was unique as it was decided from the get go to be one of the first to be realized on a Synclavier II. This meant all events were recorded not just to tape but also digital world. Les Macar whose instrument it was had recently upgraded his system to include Winchester Drives where everything was stored. This set of drives also had a wide range of sampled sounds we could use as our orchestra. Rudimentary Drums were recorded and saved Next Dana played over the tracks adding cymbals and extra events, then Jeff added the bass which pulled all the rhythm tracks together and gave them that human element. Guitars went on next, layers of Brilliantly conceived Metal madness, but with deep foundations all supporting this monolith. Midnight sang many in one take the complex vocal arrangements augmented by Janelle Sadler and some of Tampa Bays best on backups. I along with Les, Jim, and usually Jeff helped flesh out the rest on the Synclav, EMU Emax, Yamaha DX7II, PPG Wave 2.3 and Roland D-50. After mixing and mastering we realized that bringing this album to our Crimson Glory fans would be an effort of love and require An extra vocalist, and a keyboardist, me. There is a full remaster of this CD planned, and maybe some more live DVDs of the 1989 tour. Happy Rock'n Anniversary Transcendence!

John Zahner confirmed his use of the Yamaha DX7-IIFD during the production of the album "Transcendence" with Crimson Glory, stating, "I along with Les, Jim, and usually Jeff helped flesh out the rest on the Synclav, EMU Emax, Yamaha DX7II, PPG Wave 2.3 and Roland D-50." This was shared in a statement where Zahner discussed his involvement in the album's recording process and musical contributions.