The Crimson Armada was an American extreme metal band from Columbus, Ohio. The band initially formed in Westerville, Ohio in 2007, but after several live shows and demos, the band went on hiatus. After pressure from the local music scene, the group reformed a year later. According to Allmusic, the band has found itself "on a meteoric rise through the extreme metal world." The band's lyrics contain spiritual themes, and the band has members who are Christian. However, the band's songwriter and lead vocalist Saud Ahmed has stated that the band is not Christian, as the band has never written a song about Jesus, but has lyrics quoted from the Qur'an about God.
History
Formation and ''Guardians'' (2007–2010)
The band originally formed in Westerville, Ohio in 2007 but after releasing several demos and playing some live shows with bands like The Black Dahlia Murder and It Prevails, the band went on hiatus in early 2008. At the urging of the local music scene however, The Crimson Armada reformed in 2008 in Columbus, Ohio. In the summer of 2008, the group inked a deal with Metal Blade Records, and in July, 2009, the band released its debut album, Guardians. Following the album's release, the band went on several tours with acts such as The Chariot, and Mychildren Mybride. In the Summer of 2010 the group headed out on the Scream the Prayer Tour. They closed out the album's touring cycle in the fall of 2010 the "Monument Tour".
''Conviction'' and break-up (2011–2012)
In January 2011, The Crimson Armada signed a new record deal with Artery Recordings, and has announced a new album entitled Conviction that was released June 21, 2011. The album contains a song featuring Andy Adkins of A Plea for Purging called "Composed Of Stone", and a song featuring Levi Benton of Miss May I called "Napalm". The Crimson Armada played on April 14 at the 13th Annual New England Metal and Hardcore Festival, a three-day festival. They are also set for a summer tour with MyChildren MyBride, Impending Doom, This or the Apocalypse. In February 2012, Brandon McMaster left the band, stating that The Crimson Armada was "too much metal for one band." He was replaced by current lead guitarist Cye Marshall. On October 29, 2012 the band announced that lead vocalist Saud's side project, The Holy Guile, had become a full-time band with new members, and that The Crimson Armada would not be putting out another album.
