The Crucible E.P. on Penny Black: The Crucible seem to be drawing on that decades-deep tradition of hallucinogenic rock and metal that starts way back with Led Zeppelin and moves up to the current day via the more progressive fringes of the 90's grunge wave. Simple three chord sequences, bluesy detuned riffs and hooks, distant effect-washed vocals, clattering drums and splashing cymbals ... all the ingredients are present and correct. The atmosphere is spot on, too; paranoid, dazed and confused, with more than a hint of the dreamscape about it. The Crucible sure aren't short on ideas; if anything, they have a few too many per song, but better that than the tedium of verse-chorus pop structures. It might be well worth watching out for them on tour. Review by Paul Raven |