Songs in Crimson is the seventh full-length album from England's Satan and picks up where their last album, 2022's Earth Eternal, left off. Always one of the quirkier bands from the NWOBHM, Satan's songwriting takes at least some inspiration from the prog rock greats like Yes and Genesis but keeps everything well over the line into metal territory. I found Songs in Crimson to be a slow starter with the first few songs not grabbing me but then, starting with "Sacramental Rites," a run of excellent, extremely catchy songs begins and continues through "Curse in Disguise" with the whole lot being winners. There are choruses to sing along with, odd yet engaging guitar phrasing and riffs and quality heavy metal all around. The album closes with a couple of tracks that mirror the openers in that I don't find them as interesting, though certainly not bad. Songs in Crimson is another strong album by the hardworking lads from Newcastle upon Tyne.
