Halford--Crucible

Halford--Crucible (2002/Metal-Is) Rating--8.6

'Crucible' is the second studio release from the re-metallized Rob Halford, and it is another fine offering for his Priest-reared legions. This isn't 'Resurrection' all over again; instead, there are several different styles apparent, some of which are hard to pinpoint exactly. You have your 'Painkiller'-era rippers, a few Fight influenced tracks, perhaps, and then there are a couple that show a flair that's maybe new to even Halford. There's a little experimentation... but it's still metal, though-- not to worry there.
Within the tracks, many fans will likely notice that several of the solos are very Priest-like in style, circa 'Screaming' and 'Defenders'. Nice.
The title track is a building tune, and the slower and churning "Golgotha" has a pick-up section as well.
"Betrayal" is wide open, there are layered vocals in the high octane "Handing Out Bullets," "Wrath of Gods" is driven by double-bass drumming, and "Weaving Sorrow" is highlighted by a pulsing groove. Each of "Hearts of Darkness," "Heretic," and "Fugitive" have their moments, with the latter being one of two bonus tracks included (which are supposedly limited to the first 20,000 copies).
TRACK LIST: Park Manor/Crucible/One Will/Betrayal/Handing Out Bullets/Hearts of Darkness/Crystal/Heretic/Golgotha/Wrath of Gods/Weaving Sorrow/Sun/Trail of Tears/She/ Fugitive

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