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Jun 25, 20234 min read

Halford — Crucible

𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐑𝐘𝐏𝐓𝐒 - 𝐂𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐁𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐏𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐀𝐋𝐁𝐔𝐌 𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄𝐒 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐃 𝐑𝐎𝐂𝐊 & 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐕𝐘 𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐀𝐋…

21 years ago today, the Metal God unleashed the “Crucible” upon the “Hearts of Darkness”!

On June 25, 2002, Halford released his second full-length solo studio album, “Crucible” via Sanctuary/Metal-is Records/Metal God Records.

In contrast with the retrospective approach of the previous Halford album, “Resurrection”, “Crucible” was an intentional effort to depart from the traditional Metal themes.

The album has been described as "harder, darker, and more moody than “Resurrection".

Although no live recordings have been officially released to promote this album, a high-quality soundboard bootleg titled "Live: From the Disney House of Blues", was made available for download at robhalford.com in 2004.

Halford released bonus tracks in Japan, such as "She", "Fugitive", "Rock the World Forever", and "In the Morning".

A remixed and remastered edition was released in 2010.

Critical Reception:

In his review for Ink19, Joe Frietz states;

“…borrowing from Fight the way the first album (Resurrection) built on the Judas Priest legacy. Some tracks are quite heavy, such as "Handing Out Bullets" with its rapid-fire delivery, and "Hearts Of Darkness," with its creative use of overdubbing, where Rob harmonizes with himself in two different octaves. This is not to say that Priest fans will not find something of interest here. The gladiatorial "One Will" would be at home on several classic Priest albums. At the other end of the spectrum, tracks like “Sun” showcase the melodic virtuosity of the entire band.”

While, in his review for AllMusic, Jason D. Taylor writes;

“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, METAL 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.”

Halford Crucible Tour 2002-2003:

Halford European Tour 2002:

June 7, 2002 - Sweden Rock Festival, Solvesborg - Sweden

June 8, 2002 - Gods Of Metal Festival, Milano - Italy

June 29, 2002 - Bang Your Head Festival, Balingen - Germany

Jult 1, 2002 - Rockwave Festival, Athens - Greece (cancelled)...

"The event, which was set to include appearances by SLAYER, DREAM THEATER, HALFORD, IN FLAMES, JAG PANZER, MOTÖRHEAD, NEVERMORE, OPETH, PARADISE LOST, and RUNNING WILD, was called off due to "undercover coordinated actions from various parties," according to an official statement released by the festival organizers, Big Star Promotion.

Among the reasons given for the cancellation are: 1) The Mayor of Hellenikon refusing, without reason, to give permission for the festival, 2) The Police Department of Hellenikon and its supervising authority, the General Administrative Police Department of Athens, invoking, without justification, hypothetical and non-existent perils for the public safety, stating their unwillingness and weakness to provide any kind of protection, and 3) The Ministry of Transportation and Communication and the Civil Air Transportation Services withdrawing from responsibilities deriving from mutually-signed agreement between Big Star Promotion and the aforementioned."

July 3, 2002 - Akademic Stadium, Sofia - Bulgaria

July 5, 2002 - With Full Force Festival, Leipzig - Germany

July 6, 2002 - Graspop Metal Festival, Dessel - Belgium

February 2, 2003 - Warmup Show At the House of Blues, Hollywood, California

Halford Japan Tour 2003:

February 11, 2003 - Tokyo, Japan at Shibuya Kokaido

February 13, 2003 - Fukuoka, Japan at Zepp

February 14, 2003 - Osaka, Japan at Nenkin Hall

February 15, 2003 - Tokyo, Japan at Shibuya Kokaido

February 17, 2003 - Nagoya, Japan at TBA

February 19, 2003 - Sapporo, Japan at Zepp

Halford Early US Tour Dates 2003:

February 28, 2003 - Brooklyn, NY at L'Amour

March 14, 2003 - Brooklyn, NY at L'Amour

Halford - Metal Gods North America:

(Halford, Testament, Immortal, Primal Fear, Carnal Forge, Metal Mike's PainmuseuM)

(Some shows: Amon Amarth, Behemoth):

April 25, 2003 - House Of Blues, Chicago, IL

April 26, 2003 - Agora Theatre - Cleveland, OH

April 27, 2003 - Clutch Cargos, Detroit, MI

April 29, 2003 - Opera House, Toronto, Canada

May 1, 2003 - Webster Theatre, Hartford, CT

May 2, 2003 - BB Kings, NYC, NY

May 3, 2003 - BB Kings, NYC, NY

Links to Artists, Albums, and Music Videos:

Click this link to listen to “Crucible” via Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/crucible-remastered/1268085924

Click this link to watch the official music video for “Betrayal”: https://youtu.be/OieKufy50zc

Click this link to follow Rob Halford on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robhalfordlegacy

Click this link to follow “Metal” Mike Chlasciak on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MetalMikeC/

Click this link to follow Bobby Jarzombek on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BobbyJarzombekOfficial

Click this link to follow Roy Z on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/royzmusic

Note: The reviews shared here are for historical reference. The views and opinions expressed within are not always supported (in full or in part) by Into the Wells. — E.N. Wells

Halford — Crucible

Critical Reception:

Halford Crucible Tour 2002-2003:

Links to Artists, Albums, and Music Videos:

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