CRUCIBLE – Hail To The Force

Danish speed-metalers Crucible have released their debut, Hail to the Force via From the Vaults Records on September 12, 2025.  In 2024, Crucible broke into the Danish metal scene with the release of their demo The Savage Weapon. The lineup consists of Thomas Carnell (guitar), Jon Brogård (guitar), Phillip Butler (vocals), Ole Iversen (drums), and Kenneth Frandsen (bass). Hail to the Force was produced by Marco Angioni (Tygers of Pan Tang, Iron Fire, Meridian) at Angioni Studios. Danial Porta (Unto Others, Ice War, Idle Hands) is credited with the album artwork.

Crucible

Crucible formed in 2022 under the influence of New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal (NWOTHM) bands such as Riot City, Racer X, and Skullfist to name a few. The band was founded by Jon Brogård and Thomas Carnell over the bond of NWOTHM. The duo later added Phillip on vocals and Ole on drums. The band’s formula is based on shredding guitar solos, double bass drums, and metal screams. Crucible is noted for having a DIY attitude by recording their demo in their basement and self-promotion on social media and streaming services to get them to where they are now with their first full length release via From The Vault Records.

Hail to the Force is an aural assault with a runtime of 37 minutes across 10 songs. Lyrically, Crucible sing about cold war era thermonuclear references in “Redwing”. “Embrace of Steele” is classic tale of heroes and valor. The opening track “Deathdealer”, is inspired by Frank Franzetta’s sword and sorcery art leading into tales of fantasy.

Assessment

The album takes off at full speed (metal) with the opening track “Deathdealer”. The pace does not let up across the next two tracks, “Embrace of Steele” and “Redwing”. “Far Beyond The Grave” brings the tempo down to a classic Judas Priest Heavy Metal track complete with heavy riffs and tempo changes and soring solos. The next three tracks kick the speed back up to full speed metal throttle with each song having its own identity and feel to avoid sounding repetitive. “Splashed to the Four Winds” and “Hail to the Force”, change the tempo just enough to deliver Traditional Heavy Metal tracks with thematic soaring solos and vocals very reminiscent of early era Iron Maiden and Judas Priest. Crucible also delivers a very solid instrumental, “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”.

Overall performance on this album is very good from start to finish. Carnell’s and Brogård’s guitar playing is crisp and consistent across the span of this album. The solos feel natural and flow with each song with nothing feeling out of place or out of time. The rhythm section of Frandsen’s bass playing and Iversen’s drumming provide the tempo and foundation of each song. Butler’s vocals are on par with the genre and solidly deliver wails and screams notably on tracks “Deathdealer”, “Redwing”, and “Savage Weapon” to name a few.

As mentioned above, the production gives the album a classic feal to the music. The tonality of the guitars has a slightly muffled feel which takes away the clarity of modern production. This could be a detractor for some listeners. Speed metal purists will be happy with this release as it delivers a modern edge to the genre of Speed Metal yet has that 1980s classic sound. This album is recommended for fans of Riot City, early Anthrax / Metallica, and Racer X.

Lineup

Thomas Carnell – guitar
Jon Brogård – guitar
Phillip Butler – vocals
Ole Iversen – drums
Kenneth Frandsen – bass

Tracklist

1. Deathdealer
2. Embrace of Steel
3. Redwing
4. Far Beyond the Grave
5. Savage Weapon
6. Evilforce
7. Splashed to the Four Winds
8. Hail to the Force
9. While My Guitar Gently Weeps
10. Mad Minute