Artist: Halford
Label: Metal-Is Records
Release: 2002
Well, there you go. I can now conclude that Rob hung around in Judas Priest for as long as heavy metal was “alive” (only Rob knew how long heavy metal stayed alive and when it was time to tell Judas Priest “hasta la vista”), then he started mixing the trends of the day with his own musical perception in Fight. Later he kept up the same approach with the Two project, and just when it looked like the guy was heading for retirement, he shook up the scene two years ago by bringing himself back to life (“Resurrection”). With that debut he really did come back from the dead and made exactly what people had expected from Judas Priest after 1990. The logical result was that he sent not just the “Priest-lovers” but the wider audience of the metal universe straight to seventh heaven.
Fair enough, he does whatever his heart desires. But was he honest with himself this time too? What Halford is serving us now with “Crucible” is exactly what he did with Fight and Two. He’s muddied the crystal-clear water again. And in Halford’s post-Priest career, every single one of his musical detours suspiciously coincides with him latching onto whatever trends were already out there (just think of industrial Rob and his vocals on that one). So I don’t believe the current Rob adventure is sincere either, or that it’s anything more than pure imitation of whatever they’re calling “modern” right here, right now.
So, chopped-up riffs. The music just never flows. That’s the song “Crucible”, and it sums up pretty much the whole record. The only flashes of brilliance are “One Will” and “Betrayal”. That’s the only place we hear the real Rob Halford. “Handing Out Bullets” is set up great, a proper thrash assault, but the singing wrecks it something awful. Everything else isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on. Uncle Halford has once again wandered off who-knows-where, and the devil only knows when he’ll strike again with another “Resurrection”. If ever.
What the hell are you experimenting with your vocals for, Rob? You crapped up more than half the album with it. The guys are burning exactly the way you want and ordering, and they burn really well, while you sing in a “soft” voice. Sure, the other songs, “Heretic”, “Golgotha”, “Crystal”, “Hearts Of Darkness”… are their own kind of adventures for the whole crew. There are way too many new bands that are authentic at this. What Rob was after was copying current trends, and that means a considerable step away from its predecessor. The new Halford is worth a taste for anyone who isn’t weighed down by his “Priest” legacy. But for those who know what kind of vocals Halford can pull out of himself, and who know what the real Halford means, this definitely won’t be the real satisfaction.
The production is perfect, mind you (producer Roy Z). It offers exactly what all we can wish for from bands. An unpolished, full and alive sound. Sadly, that’s not enough.
The limited edition has two bonus tracks that I wouldn’t miss one bit. “She” is a balladesque thing propped up by a sleepy groovy beat, with Rob’s “normal” vocals up front again. Meaning once more there’s no trace of the real “resurrection” Rob on it. “Fugitive” is yet another total flop, unworthy of any additional words. Lovely, we’re back at the rhetorical question: “Quo Vadis Halford?”
Line-up
Rob Halford – vocals
Pat Lachman – guitar
Mike Chlasciak – guitar
Ray Riendeau – bass
Bobby Jarzombek – drums
GUEST MUSICIAN:
Ed Roth – keyboards
Production
Roy Z & Ritchie Podolor
Track list
1. Park Manor [Instrumental]
2. Crucible
3. One Will
4. Betrayal
5. Handing Out Bullets
6. Hearts of Darkness
7. Crystal
8. Heretic
9. Golgotha
10. Wrath of God
11. Weaving Sorrow
12. Sun
13. Trail of Tears
14. She*
15. Fugitive*
*… bonus track
Album length: 56:35
