| Musical Style: Progressive Metal | Produced By: Gary Wehrkamp |
| Record Label: Rockshots | Country Of Origin: Varies |
| Year Released: 2024 | Artist Website: |
| Tracks: 12 | Rating: 100% |
| Running Time: 70:51 |
Should you prefer a progressive metal album with rock opera sensibilities, look no further than the Rockshots Records June of 2024 debut full length from Harpazo, The Crucible. The project of guitarist Marc Centanni and producer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Gary Wehrkamp (Shadow Gallery), Harpazo embodies the rock opera aesthetic through its plethora of guest vocalist appearances to include DC Cooper (Royal Hunt), Les Carlsen (Bloodgood), Michael Drive (Barren Cross, Human Code), Rey Parra (Sacred Warrior), Christian Liljegren (Narnia) and others. When further factoring a futuristic Book of Revelation science fiction End Times conceptual theme, the picture is complete!
Further details regarding the concept from the groups press material:
“The Crucible is a concept album that explores a world in turmoil where technology and prophecy collide. The story unfolds across various epic tracks, weaving a tale of revolution, assassins and a charismatic leader with a dark agenda. The narrative primarily takes place in Rome, Jerusalem, New York, and Washington DC offering a rich backdrop for the complex and intense musical arrangements.
“Specifically, The Crucible is a fictional story based on Revelation. Centanni wrote this story after researching the biblical book of John and made a story that would follow the events of the Tribulation”.
Please note that while heavily rooted in the progressive side of things, The Crucible also draws upon power and symphonic metal while embodying classical influences. Hence, albums opening three cuts beginning with “Ichor”, four minutes of melodic power metal to see Cooper (gritty, mid-ranged) and Wehrkamp (classic tenor) vocally trade off over a backdrop of vibrant keyboards, lively guitars and brisk melodies. The breathing bass reinforces albums crystalline production.
It deserves mention Cooper and Wehrkamp share a history dating to classic 1998 Shadow Gallery album Tyranny (noting Cooper’s guest appearance on the track “New World Order”) and 90% Angelic Warlord reviewed 2007 album from Amaran’s Plight entitled Voice In The Light (to feature Cooper on lead vocals).
Ensuring one-minute classical guitar and keyboard instrumental “Legion Program” gives way to albums first single, “I Am God”. What we have is another power metal expedition, albeit heavier from Niklas Kahl’s impactful timekeeper but also not forsaking accessibility, as found in the layered vocal harmonies to bolster the persuasive refrain. Wehrkamp handles lead vocal duties.
“Golden Crown” follows as first of albums six epics in excess of eight minutes. It sees Cooper and soprano Lee Lemperle form a duet within a symphonic metal ballad setting, with acoustic guitar and radiant keyboards leading the way but interspersed with periodic unswerving rhythm guitar. All the while, a strong AOR tinged melody keeps the song a fresh listen despite the length. Classical instrumental moments are every bit delicate as the music.
Second “The Crucible” is this reviewer’s choice cut. Albums title track delivers the type of stupendous melody fans of Shadow Gallery will identify (it would fit in on the aforementioned Tyranny or 2005 release Room V). Song stays true to the rock opera theme with a potpourri of vocalists with Michael Drive joining Cooper, Wehrkamp and Lemperle. It takes a straightforward progressive metal heading as opposed to the symphonic tendencies to “Golden Crown”, elevated with a rawer rhythm guitar sound and forward lead guitar but every bit intricate in terms of manifold time signatures. Catchy refrain impresses as haunting from detailing End Times persecution of believers:
Let there armies come for me
We will not fear the cross
A global annihilation. A Christian holocaust
“Two Witnesses” is a ten-minute progressive jam session. Significant portions to the song are instrumental, including the ethereally done opening minute and half and mid-point break to take a heavier route with crunchy riffs and bluesy leads. In between, what we have is another rock opera masterpiece as Ray Parra works alongside Cooper, Wehrkamp and soulful front-lady Jennifer Eckhart to establish a worshipful setting in which the album reaches its musical and lyrical apex:
Born in Bethlehem
Was a man persecuted for no crime
Jesus was the Lamb
Sacrificed on the cross
To give everlasting life
He died for you and I…
Fourth consecutive epic “Change Of Heart Pt. 1” reveals as a semi ballad. With Les Carlsen, Cooper and Lemperle teaming up, song maneuvers its span drifting between calmer moments to see piano and keyboards hold sway and others of a more unhesitating frame in which hardened momentum takes over- back and forth and back and forth again. Once more, instrumental moments impress with a high level of technical acumen.
Ensuing is a string of shorter songs. First “Ultimatum” embraces melodic metal to highlight a commercial emphasizing of guitars and keyboards as an AOR laced melody plays a presiding role. The trade off between Cooper and Wehrkamp helps set the songs emotional tone.
“We Are Weak”, a mostly classic instrumental that at the end mirrors the melody to the hymn “Jesus Loves Me”, gives way to “Small Price To Pay”. Christian Liljegren’s middle register grit expertly fits a song returning to straight on metal territory, acknowledged in the anthem like vestiges and ominous keyboards pointing to the swarthy. Shouted backing vocals adorn the glowing (and quite engaging!) refrain.
Album closes to two final epics. “Change Of Heart Pt. 2” is progressive manifest with too many time signatures and instrumental excursions to adequately detail- from opening piano and jazzy bass to upbeat metal guitars to ethereal acoustic signatures (wash, rinse and repeat). Quality to music aside, it cannot be understated the magnitude of the message (with Lemperle’s poetic voice the guide):
I hear a voice say “It is done”
Jesus dies to save us all
If only we believe
The fire will lead into our hearts
Jesus dies to save us all
I know we can believe
Over the final minute and half she is joined by Cooper:
The truth is not a fantasy
God will give you strength
Jesus died to save us all
If only we believe
“The Book Of Life” closes the album as an exquisite ballad. Haunting church organ gets things started ahead of the acoustic guitar and symphonic keyboards (backed by regal melody) that carry the song its first four minutes. At moments notice, rhythm guitar fades in to bolster the moving environs as Lemperle aligns with a splendid choir (The 144) and Carlsen to ends things in worshipful fashion.
The Crucible in my opinion ranks among the best Christian progressive metal albums, including those from Affector (Harmagedon), Biogenesis (A Decadence Divine) and Veni Domine (Fall Babylon Fall & Material Sanctuary). Am I out of line to go so far as to suggest The Crucible is one of the most impactful albums recorded within the Christian hard music community the past thirty years? Hinge upon which the door revolves is not just the fantastic staple of vocalists and musicians, melodic progressive based songwriting (fans of Shadow Gallery and Theocracy rejoice) and science fiction End Times themed concept, but also the deeply rooted and inspiring faith based message. Give further credit to the group for sidestepping the temptation to use cheesy narration or cluttering the track listing with a preponderance of shorter interlude type cuts. Finally, I am stingy when it comes to assigning perfect scores, but if any album deserves 100% it is The Crucible!
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Ichor” (4:22), “Legion Program” (1:05), “I Am God” (3:50), “Golden Crown” (8:10), “The Crucible” (8:07), “Two Witnesses” (10:10), “Change Of Heart Pt. 1” (8:04), “Ultimatum” (3:25), “We Are Weak” (2:17), “Small Price To Pay” (3:55), “Change Of Heart Pt. 2” (9:21), “The Book Of Life” (8:00)
Musicians
Marc Centanni - Lyrics, Story, Guitars, Drums & Keyboards
Gary Wehrkamp - Lead Vocals, Guitars, Bass, Keyboards, Piano & Drums
DC Cooper - Lead Vocals
Lee Lemperle - Lead Vocals
Jennifer Eckhart - Lead Vocals
Rey Parra - Lead Vocals
Christian Liljegren - Lead Vocals
Les Carlsen - Lead Vocals
Michael Drive - Lead Vocals
Niklas Kahl - Drums
Mark Zonder - Drums
Stephanie Morykin - Violin
Gary Bredbenner - Trombones
Joe Stone - Lead Guitar
Bruno Sa - Keyboards
