Interview with CRUCIBLE
!!!SAVAGE SPEED METAL FROM DENMARK!!!
Welcome to the FILTHY DOGS OF METAL Webzine.
Tell us a few things about CRUCIBLE (Members, Starting Year etc).
Jon: Band was started by me and Thomas. Metal archives tells us it was 2022 so lets go with that date. Phil joined us on vocals for the demo and newest addition is Ole, a young promising drummer. We were especially inspired by NWOTHM bands like Riot City, Skull Fist and so on so start a no bullshit Speed Metal band. Lots of double bass drumming, shred guitar solos and tons of epic metal screams. I remember some drunken talk at a camp during Metal Magic festival a few years ago where Thomas and I were both in full geek mode over the Riot City debut 'Burn the Night' that had just come out. I think that was the spark that eventually lead to us forming the band formally and started to work towards a demo.
You have recently released your demo ''The Savage Weapon''. What is the feedback from your audience as well as from the press?
Jon: So far almost only positive feedback. Some people dig it more than others. Interestingly enough the reviewers who did their homework and read up on the band and who accept the premise that this is a DIY demo original intended to attract the remaining members are the ones most positive. They accept the rough edges and see the potential in the band and are not too bothered by the SKYNET drums.
Label or DIY and why?
Jon: Created DIY at home because we got no money haha. The debut album will be coming out on a label (From the Vaults). That will be recorded in a proper studio with roaring Marshall Plexis and a drumset with 666 bass drums. All the nonsense.
Is there any funny or weird story from the recordings or from your live shows that you would like to share with us?
Jon: Well the vocals were recorded in the fall in Thomas' living room. Very ghetto setup involving a single mic and many blankets. That night during a little celebration out on the town we ran into the head of From the Vaults records. He was interested to hear what we had been cooking up and we straight away went into contract negotiations the following days. So before we had even mixed the demo it had already done more that we had dare hope for.
Do you prefer Vinyl, Tape, CD or Digital Format and why is that?
Jon: Personally I prefer to sit and listen to LP's and geek out over the album covers and read the lyrics. I grew up doing that wit my parents record collection but in daily life music on streaming services is what is often end up doing. Mostly for practical reasons.
Your music style is Speed Metal. Which are your main influences (Favourite Artists / Bands etc.)
Jon: Well for me it is definitely bands like Riot City, Racer X, Skull Fist, Enforcer, Savage Grace and Riot that I find inspiration in for Crucible. We all have our own personal favourites by we can all agree on bands like Judas Priest, Motörhead and Riot City are kings and common ground for inspirations.
Which things do you think a band should sacrifice in order to succeed? Have you ever sacrificed anything in your life for a better future for your band?
Jon: I intend to do things my own way and do not buy into any cliche that I have to sacrifice this or that or do things a specific way to succeed. At the end of the day I don't think too much about succeeding. For me music is not a competition. I believe you should make the music for yourself and stay true to your ideals and ideas. Don't make music for others. Just raise your flag high and see who salutes.
Describe your ideal live show as a performance band. Have you already experienced that?
Jon: We have not played live yet. First show it going to be at Odense Metalfest 26th of October. I think the ideal live show is one where we are able to pull off all the stunt guitar stuff effortlessly haha.
What attributes do you think that a new Speed Metal Band should have in order to gain identity and be unique?
Jon: If you are a Speed Metal band and just stay true to yourself you automatically end up with the right identity and attitude. Being unique for the sake of being unique is not a trait to strive for IMO. It is something that should come natural. Speed Metal is a pretty straight forward thing not a ground breaking genre and that is perfectly fine. No need to try and reinvent the hot water by introducing all sorts of gimmicks, just to try and impress some hipster reviewers looking for the "new direction" in metal. Just perfect your craft and do what you do well.
Do you believe that Digital Platforms help the new Speed Metal Bands? Which, do you think, is the ideal way for a band to promote its work?
Jon: No doubt about that. The NWOTHM movement would not be where it is without the Youtube channel 'NWOTHM Full Albums'. This is the channel through a lot of us discover various new metal bands keeping the flame alive.
Tell us a few things about the New Underground Metal Scene in Denmark (Bands, Fanzines, Webzines, Metal Clubs etc.)
Jon: It is mostly extreme metal that exists in Denmark. We do have a few bands besides us playing actual heavy metal (Steel Inferno, Pectora, Speed Slut, Street Fighter, Excelerate). We hope to change the scene up a bit and remind people that heavy metal still lives.
Do you know anything about the Hellenic Metal Scene?
Jon: I know you like epic metal and have some great bands in that genre. Also some cool thrashy speed metal bands. I just remembered I have a record with Sacral Rage in my collection. Ferocious guitar playing on that one. And of course you have 'Up the Hammers Festival' that always delivers a great lineup. Would definitely not be the worst place to go and play. Book us when Virgin Steele plays there next time haha
The last 4 years, worldwide in the world, we have faced many dark, strange & new situations in our everyday life (covid, lock-down etc.) Did all of this affect you positively or negatively?
Jon: It sucked all the festivals went out the window those years. Crucible started up towards the end of the Corona years so we were not as affected by it.
What are your future plans?
Jon: Finish writing songs for the debut album, find a great bass player who can become a permanent member and then play some live shows towards the end of 2024 before hitting the studio to record the debut.
Thank you very much for your time & keep up the good work! The closure is yours.
Jon: Thanks for taking the time to interview Crucible and if you are interested in the band follow us on the anti-social medias (Instagram and Facebook). Our demo is out on From The Vaults and available on all the streaming platforms. And always remember: IF WE DON'T GOT IT, YOU DON'T WANT IT!
By Steve the Filthy Dog.
CRUCIBLE CONTACT:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553921887488
https://www.instagram.com/cruciblespeedmetal/
https://crucibledk.bandcamp.com/album/the-savage-weapon-demo
https://open.spotify.com/artist/3lrAhuwowhHp20nbSvdPBq