Release date: 12th September 2025

Emerging from the underground with unstoppable energy, Danish speed metal warriors CRUCIBLE unveil their debut album, Hail To The Force. Across 37 minutes of pure intensity, the band blends powerful melodies, driving riffs, and a fearless heavy metal spirit into a sound that refuses to be ignored. With four tracks from their first demo alongside six new songs written in 2024, Hail To The Force captures a band hitting its stride and pushing forward with undeniable momentum.

Crucible’s current lineup solidified in 2024, when Ole Iversen joined on drums in the spring and Kenneth Frandsen stepped in on bass for the recording sessions and the band’s first live appearances that fall. Without a predetermined concept, their approach was simple: write songs that leave an impact. Guitarists Jon Brogård and Thomas Carnell (Impalers) shaped the album with influences from Riot City, Racer X, Hellripper, Vampire, and even cinematic scores like Blade Runner. The result? A dynamic collection majestic speed metal anthems alongside raw, hard-hitting tracks tackling themes of war and destruction. CRUCIBLE has arrived, ready to make their mark.

Review

Deathdealer is the opening track! Straight away your speakers leak energy coming from a razor sharp riff attack that could tear anything apart. The cymbal hits emphasise this almighty force before we are pulled into a tornado of lightning speed thrash drums and a continuous riff barrage from Jon and Thomas. Everything feels like it has been injected with a huge dose of pure adrenaline. If you love to mosh and break a sweat at shows then this will certainly help you achieve that. This track is just a proper frenzy of face melting metal and the vocal delivery from Phillip Butler perfectly matches the fire and intensity that this song radiates. The rhythm section made up of Ole and Kenneth are locked in so tight that they could hit their target with super precision every time with each beat and bass twang! The riffs chop and change throughout never making anything dull and the solo is just explosive as hell!

Embrace Of Steele explodes in your speakers with a crazy sonic assault. Crucible comes at you with absolute thunder with booming bass, pummelling kick drums from Ole and furious quick picking guitar riffs. Throughout it is just a non stop storm and Phillip Butler’s vocals just add to the already chaotic mix of face melting metal. The solo is just glorious with flurries of scales and sparkling high notes it reaches to the heavens. Considering that this is just the second track on the album, in three and half minutes I am already breaking a sweat!

Redwing continues the assault. This is another speed assassin ready to pounce and cut you to pieces with its electrifying barrage of riffs. The rhythms blaze at warp speed and will literally pull the skin back from the bones on your face.The dashes of group shouts are a great touch and simply add to the intensity. I felt at moments that the music may hit high up on the g-force scale. I can imagine that in a hot sweaty gig the band would be trying very hard to hold on to their sticks and pics at some of the speed they are playing! But the song is not all speed as there are some points where it drops down some hard and heavy power walking. Of course that does not last long as we get thrown back into our seats for more lightspeed action.

Far Beyond The Grave starts of with a classic harmony, 16th note hi-hat patterns and deep resonate bass twangs from Kenneth before we hit the ballsy metal mania. This is a midtempo stomper where you can feel the almighty power from each chug of the rhythms delivered by Thomas and Jon. But as a reflection of that, it also about some top notch harmonised lead work that is very prominent in this song.It all just feels so uplifting and striking. Phillip’s vocal work here is superb and shines through sounding like Bruce Dickinson in many ways! Considering that the album so far has been like a speeding fighter jet, its is great to see some balance brought to the album.

Savage Weapon lock, loads and goes all guns blazing. Once again we are blasted at super speed and my speakers are literally like molten lava right now. These guys know how to write a riff or two I’ll tell you! If I was seeing the band play the album live I think I would be drenched in sweat by now. This is like one of those ultimate moshpit tunes that will turn a venue upside down. I literally feel like tectonic plates are shifting because the ground is breaking apart and rumbling under my feet! The solo section screeches and squeals spitting out notes left right and centre. If you want to air guitar this is that moment! Considering we are only half way through I am truly impressed!

Evilforce may be one of the shortest tracks on the album, but it delivers a gut punch of pure chaos. Sinister riffs swarm like a plague of cursed hornets, tearing through the air with feral aggression. Ole’s drumming is relentless and you can almost hear the snare skin screaming under the onslaught, wondering whether a drumstick might have met its end. This is raw, unapologetic, and utterly demonic, a sonic incantation that demands full-body immersion. You won’t just listen; you’ll roar with the chant of “evil force,” fists raised, caught in the unholy fervour. Teeth clenched, face contorted, every ounce of energy surging through your veins as this metal monster devours your senses.

“Splashed To The Four Winds” kicks off with a throttled, looping riff that feels slightly uncertain at first—but any hesitation is quickly bulldozed by the juggernaut force of the kick drumming, which hits with chest-rattling impact. This is a mostly mid-tempo track, but it smartly plays with pacing, injecting bursts of intensity to elevate key moments.While there are some compelling ideas woven throughout, the song doesn’t quite leap out in the way others on the album do. The vocals, at times, seem buried in the mix, which is a shame: they could’ve added more punch if brought forward.What does shine are the small, sharp solos sprinkled throughout. They add just the right touch of flair and keep the track from feeling too predictable. Overall, though, this one plays it a bit safe – solid, but not a standout.

And so we arrive at the title track, Hail To The Force which is a fitting centrepiece that launches you skyward like a warhead, all momentum and no brakes. The rhythm section hits like a flamethrower: searing, aggressive, and relentless. Admittedly, the first solo and some early vocal lines feel a touch scattered or underpowered; one of the few moments on the album where things waver slightly. As the title track, the chorus could’ve packed more weight, perhaps with stacked lead vocals to drive it home more forcefully. That said, the group shouts land well and add a raw, live energy that keeps things grounded. As the song progresses, it steadily gains focus and power, revealing some excellent ideas. By the end, it’s clear: the true standout here is the rhythm work, which carves a lasting impression with its fiery precision and sheer drive.

Unexpectedly, “While My Guitar Gently Sweeps” launches with futuristic, spacey synths that evoke the sensation of drifting through the cosmos, gliding past burning stars. A soft, looping guitar riff enters, gently building momentum alongside crisp hi-hat patterns. The track then settles into a steady 4/4 groove as the lead guitar gracefully takes the reins. Unlike more aggressive or chaotic compositions, this section leans into restraint, preserving the dreamlike sensation of floating through space and time.As the journey continues, a mesmerising tapped guitar section lulls the listener into a trance only to be jolted awake by a rapid-fire burst of inventive guitar phrases. Just as quickly as the energy flares, the synths return for a extremely short and fleeting passage, bringing the track to a brief yet satisfying close.

Mad Minute is the final track on the album and has a bit of a punky edge to it. A huge snare roll rolls in before thrashy drums take charge.The attitude and not caring vibe literally runs through the veins of this track especially on the guitar work. Even the vocals have that bit of flair. The sparkling tapping lead injected is a great addition to this song before we are giving a feverish solo section that delivers! Either away this fun track is a great way to end a blistering album!

Conclusion

This album is a battlefield! A merciless war of sound where precision riffs slice through the air like steel, the drums thunder like charging cavalry, and every track explodes with an untamed ferocity that refuses to let up. From the adrenaline-soaked fury of Deathdealer to the electrifying speed assassin Redwing and the triumphant stomp of Far Beyond The Grave, each song is a weapon honed for maximum impact. Even when the band momentarily slows its assault for While My Guitar Gently Sweeps, it’s only to lure you into a false sense of security before the final blitz of Mad Minute leaves no survivors. If your speakers are still intact after this, you haven’t turned the volume up enough. A strong contender for one of my top ten albums of the year!

TheNwothm Score: 9/10

Links

Bandcamp: https://crucibledk.bandcamp.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cruciblespeedmetal

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cruciblespeedmetal/

Label: https://fromthevaults.dk/