Musical Style: Melodic Metal/Hard Rock	Produced By: Raymond Christie & Kevin Wale
Record Label: Roxx Records	Country Of Origin: USA
Year Released: 2023	Artist Website:
Tracks: 10	Rating: 85%
Running Time: 46:31

There’s no shortage of quality albums released by the various side projects to feature iconic Bride vocalist Dale Thompson.  The first to come to mind is the modern metal meets hard rock of The World Will Burn, which has produced three full-length albums of which 90% Angelic Warlord reviewed 2019 most recent offering Nothing’s Real As It Seems star shines the brightest.  Second is Perpetual Paranoia with its drawing upon heavy metal and thrash to its 85% reviewed Retroactive Records first two albums The Reapers and Between The Altar & The Cross from 2018 and 2019, respectively.  Third The Thomas Thompson Earth Project traverses straightforward metal territory with touches of groove on its 2021 and 90% third album Systematic Brain Drain (attributing to Roxx Records) and fourth No Other God a joining of bluesy hard rock and metal to its first and only album Take It By Storm ( also 90% and Roxx either way).

Latest project from Dale Thompson to get in on the act is Crucible Divine and its Roxx Records June of 2023 sophomore effort Righteous Crusade.  Crucible Divine traces to 2009, when it placed a dynamic cover of “Ramming Speed” on the Deliverance tribute album Temporary Insanity (initially appearing on the 1991 release Stay Of Execution).  To suggest I was unduly impressed in describing it as ‘combining aspects of traditional and melody metal while highlighting elements of the epic, operatic and symphonic’ would be an understatement.

Independent full length debut Commitment followed two years later, and while not impressing to the same extent, was a competent albeit musically inconsistent release (70% review) joining aspects of melodic metal and hard rock.  Righteous Crusade takes things to the next level songwriting wise in presenting with a more consistent group of songs that whereas taking a similar musical heading, finds Crucible Divine expanding upon its repertoire in also exploring musical territory diverse as blues tinged classic rock, progressive rock and even power metal.

Band reveals said power metal side on opening two cuts “Victory Chant” and “No One Like You Left”.  Former is a minute-and-half introductory piece accented by ominous overtures, thunderous drums and brazen guitar riffs.  Latter is albums finest piece in playing up an epic Euro flair, as double kick drum and symphonic keyboards align to lead the gallant six-minute melody driven way.  All the while Thompson exhibits his earthy but varied delivery to range from lower register angst to high-end falsettos.

“Free to Love” takes a classy melodic metal approach.  With open-air guitar and pulsating bass to start, the song reinforces a weighty low end to see militant guitars hold sway over the grave verse sections and silky vocal melodies one of albums most immediately recognizable refrain.  Stryper comes to mind in the process.  Lyric snippet:

Bitterness will never let you go
It’s a spreading cancer in your soul
Arrogance never lets you breathe
Self-righteous anger brings you to your knees

Becoming tired with each passing day
Time for silence, a time to pray
When trouble becomes your friend
To know and feel too much within

Albums title track represents a quintessential joining of metal and hard rock.  The group’s melodic sensibilities continue to play a lead role - noting the presence of similar gripping vocal melodies - as does an element of muscular backbone to touch upon a heavier basis.  Bass solo leads the way to an eighties style jam based interlude to play up the intricate soloing of Kevin Wale.

“No Compromise” is another favorite with its bluesy classic rock meets hard rock flavorings.  The song divulges of the laid back and easy going, surprisingly up-tempo as poignant bass prevails alongside gritty guitars, relaxed as it gets backing vocals and Thompson’s distinctive blues soaked croon.  A more reserved version to Rez Band comes to mind.  Lyric snippet:

I have returned from my wandering
I am strong in the one who empowers me
I am unbending
I live a life on my original design
I am unyielding
In the law of perfect liberty

Surrounded by a cloud of witnesses
Revealed in forgiveness victory!

Crucible Divine showcases the progressive aspect to its songwriting on seven minute “Breaking The Silence”.  To say the song is intrinsic to complex time signatures would be an understatement, encompassing but not limited to the doom-ish keyboard driven opening moments, crescendos of sweeping riffs to follow, periodic double bass driven angst and manifold instrumental fun allowing the group to exhibit its technical acumen.  Despite the extended span, “Breaking The Silence” holds up in light of the spine tingling melody.

“Secret Sins” is first single off the album.  It proves worthy of such an indicator, home to albums catchiest guitar riff in addition to a vibrant tempo of an eighties inspired form and emotionally tinged leaning pointing to the commercial.  Another exceptional lead guitar break from Wales helps “Secret Sins” to rank with albums best.  Lyric snippet:

You say you live your life
According to His word
As you ignore the little things
Your vision becomes blurred

You say the blame is unbearable
But it helps you mask the pain
But He is there to set you free
If you’ll call on His name

Driving heavy metal to “Once Again” impresses as a forthright barnburner, starting to open air guitar prior to settling down to a momentum driven mid-tempo romp in which grinding guitars and every bit bearing low-end hold sway.  Despite the seething environs, hooks aplenty command not to mention a bluesy basis to extent Bride comes to mind.

“Victim Of Society” is another top of the line piece.  It begins its first minute pensively to pronounced rumblings and expansive keyboards, sustaining the sober sentiments through acerbic verse sections and soaring chorus of a pull you in at once variety.  The stop and start rhythm guitars with a classic metal bent align with occasional acoustic guitar.  Lyric snippet:

You’re a victim
Stuck in a maze of apathy
You’re a victim of society
Spinning around til nothing’s true

Then along came a message
Now you’re feeling fine
No more victim of society
Now there’s a way
You don’t have to hurt anymore

Album takes a slight step down with closing track “I Am Not Ashamed”, which while far from bad and not filler fails to realize the extra hooks, moody or catchy riff to garner your attention in similar fashion as the preceding eight songs.  That said, it cannot be denied the strength of message, as found in the ‘I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ’ refrain and lyrics:

Everyone that believeth, His power works for you
The Gospel is a roadmap, that’ll bring you safely through

Everyone that receives Him, He gave power to be strong
A born again believer, God adopts you as His son

I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ
It’s the power of God unto salvation

A literal plethora of side projects from Dale Thompson released over the years, with many of my favorites outlined in the introductory paragraph.  Sophomore Crucible Divine album Righteous Crusade deserves to rank with such esteemed company.  Strength of songwriting and musical variances account for such not to mention the solid musicianship and well-written faith based lyrics.  If into metal and hard rock in the various forms presented, you can do no wrong with Righteous Crusade.

Review by Andrew Rockwell

Track Listing: “Victory Chant” (1:37), “No One Like You Left” (6:06), “Free To Love” (4:15), “Righteous Crusade” (5:24), “No Compromise” (4:40), “Breaking The Silence” (7:23), “Secret Sins” (4:08), “Once Again” (4:09), “Victim Of Society” (5:10), “I Am Not Ashamed” (3:39)

Musicians
Dale Thompson - Lead Vocals
Raymond Christie - Guitars & Bass
Kevin Wale - Lead Guitar, Bass & Keyboards
Jon Patterson - Bass
Brandon Lopez - Drums

Additional Musicians
Tim Gaines - Bass
Brad Buell - Bass
Ramiro Rosalez Jr - Bass