Rob Halford returned to the classic heavy metal style that he helped make famous on the focused
Resurrection, an album that garnered critical acclaim for its spectacular metal focus. On the follow-up to this monumental release he continues down the same path, as his assembled backing band is quite possibly one of the best on the scene in the early '00s, and his vocals are as focused and exceptional as they have ever been. Songs such as "Betrayal" and "Wrath of God" highlight
Crucible, an album where
Rob's signature falsetto wail is distinct and picture-perfect, while bandmates
Pat Lachman, Mike Chlasciak,
Bobby Jarzombek, and
Ray Riendeau have seemingly topped their magnificent work on
Halford's previous outing.
Crucible keeps things fresh, as
Rob himself states that he dared not retread on themes abundant on
Resurrection; as a result, this is yet another classic metal album for the next generation. ~ Jason D. Taylor