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CRUCIBLE

Symphonic Prog • United States


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Crucible biography
Founded in Connecticut, USA around 1998 - Activity unknown since 2004

Formed in the eighties in Connecticut, CRUCIBLE has most often been classified in the neo-progressive genre, largely because of the generation in which they recorded, and their crisp production which was atypical of the more traditional progressive bands. Bassist Chris Vescera describes the group's musical approach as "a very symphonic prog sound while avoiding the overdramatic feel that plagues much of the neo-progressive movement". This is a fairly accurate synopsis since the band's compositions tend to be much less elaborated than earlier giants such as Genesis, Rush or Yes, although the strong influence of these bands can be heard in CRUCIBLE's music. Their music features heavy use of mellotron and especially Hammond organ, along with a sprinkling of flute.

The band's style is rather heavy leaning toward earlier RUSG, particularly in its tendency to combine mythical imagery with contemporary themes in tracks such as "The Sword Player" and "Noble Rot". Lead singer Bill Esposito clearly strives to emulate Geddy Lee on most of his vocal tracks, although he has also been compared to Steve Walsh of Kansas and Tommy Shaw of Styx, although the Rush influence is much stronger. The band's sophomore release also includes an energetic cover of Crack the Sky's "Nuclear Apathy".

CRUCIBLE released their debut as an independent production that is unavailable and difficult to find today. They developed a modest following largely due to appearances at such luminous events as Prog Day '98, NEARfest '99, and Baja Prog. Their second and final album, Curtains, was followed by an extended break while keyboardist Tim Horan returned to college. The remaining band members continued to tour regionally as a rock cover band under the name Second Wind. The band reformed briefly in 2004 but are currently on indefinite hiatus.

Bob Moore - (ClemofNazareth)

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CRUCIBLE discography


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CRUCIBLE top albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

3.87 | 82 ratings
Tall Tales
1997
3.40 | 35 ratings
Curtains
2001

CRUCIBLE Live Albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

CRUCIBLE Videos (DVD, Blu-ray, VHS etc)

CRUCIBLE Boxset & Compilations (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

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CRUCIBLE Reviews


Showing last 10 reviews only
 Tall Tales by CRUCIBLE album cover Studio Album, 1997
3.87 | 82 ratings

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Tall Tales
Crucible Symphonic Prog

Review by Squire Jaco

4 stars Start with a sound foundation of Gabriel-era Genesis, substitute the vocals with Triumph's Rik Emmett (with little or no vocal harmonies by the way), sprinkle in some Kansas-like guitar riffing, add some Jethro Tull flute, and finish it all with a much crisper modern sounding production, and you have the basic feel of Crucible's hard-to-find "Tall Tales". But more than merely "derivative" of early prog, this album succeeds by throwing in a lot of different atmospheres and instrumental changes from song to song, along with the usual time signature changes and complex arrangements we've come to expect from classic prog. Occasional comparisons to Rush also emerge with the Emmett-like vocalist singing lyrics in the storytelling tradition of Rush's "Trees"; but I did not find the lyrics as interesting or magical as the classic standby stuff (sometimes dealing with modern day things like...mortgages and deli meat?!). Great drumming on the album though, and you'll find yourself humming along on some of the better refrains after just a few listens. I wish they hadn't made such blatant rip-offs of various sections of Genesis' "Supper's Ready" during their own 20-minute epic "An Imp's Tale"; but overall, this is an enjoyable album on which most traditional prog fans should find many moments of real enjoyment.
 Tall Tales by CRUCIBLE album cover Studio Album, 1997
3.87 | 82 ratings

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Tall Tales
Crucible Symphonic Prog

Review by Mellotron Storm
Prog Reviewer

4 stars I feel like I've been having a throw-back week listening to Prog-Metal(HEAVEN'S CRY) and Neo-Prog this past week although I see CRUCIBLE is listed under Symphonic now. The vocals are certainly the focus of this American band with fairy tale lyrics and a sound that instantly brings GENESIS to mind. I've really enjoyed this album. I have heard the over 21 minute suite "An Imp's Tale" before on the Prog Day '98 disc I have which of course is a live version.

"Over The Falls" opens with piano as the mellotron rolls in then relaxed guitar followed by drums before a minute. GENESIS certainly comes to mind with the pulsating keys which is such a feel good sound for me. Vocals after 2 1/2 minutes and I really like the sound a minute later with the organ, vocals and mellotron. Love this stuff. "The Poet Liar" is a top two track for me. It's the only track that brings JETHRO TULL to mind and no not because there's flute, it's on the heavier sections. I do like the contrasts between the heavier passages and the beautiful pastoral sections. There is some nice flute late. "Find The Line" features laid back drums, piano and vocals early on but it does get a little fuller. A nice intricate guitar solo ends it.

"Lords And Leeches" opens with vocals and a relaxed sound but how good is this when the mellotron arrives 2 1/2 minutes in. Pulsating organ follows. A synth solo 7 minutes in as the drums and bass help out. A guitar solo before 8 1/2 minutes followed by organ and vocals. "In Ancient Tongue" is an instrumental that opens with what sounds like mandolin but check out the mellotron before 1 1/2 minutes. Nice. "The Salamander" has a reggae vibe to it with vocals. That vibe stops after 1 1/2 minutes as the vocals become more passionate. Contrasts continue though. "Land For Sale" is my other top two track. I just really enjoy the emotion in this one. Piano and drums standout early with intricate guitar as reserved vocals join in. Emotion 2 minutes in with floating organ. Back to that vocals, drum, guitar section as themes are repeated. Great song!

"An Imp's tale" is divided into seven parts. It opens with "Twice Upon A Time" where we get a strong GENESIS vibe then the vocals join in. There's some beautiful acoustic guitar on the "Adrift" section as the vocals join in. Such a gorgeous sound 2 1/2 minutes in. "Stone Of The Wise" is more uptempo and powerful with vocals as the mellotron joins in. "The Mortal Flaw" has powerful organ that floats in as the vocals arrive. It changes quickly though as vocals continue followed by pulsating organ then a guitar solo. "Nomad Brad" features flute and acoustic guitar to start then the organ, drums and bass take over. The flute is back before this section ends. "Release The Imps" is more powerful with guitar and drums as the mellotron drifts in then vocals. Lots of synths follow after the vocals stop. "Day Of The Hunting Dwarf" ends the suite and the album in an uplifting manner. An emotional yell and guitar before 2 minutes before a calm ends it.

This has been a pleasure both musically and lyrically, a real escape.

 Tall Tales by CRUCIBLE album cover Studio Album, 1997
3.87 | 82 ratings

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Tall Tales
Crucible Symphonic Prog

Review by Atavachron
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

3 stars Utterly solid debut from these Connecticutians, strongly in an old-fashioned symph vein aptly described as "a very symphonic prog sound while avoiding the overdramatic feel that plagues much of the neo-progressive movement". In fact this is the kind of act a promoter wouldn't book in front of Rush or Yes for fear of upstaging them.

Mind you, absolutely nothing musically new appears among the attractive and good-sounding set, but there are some really fine moments on Crucible's Tall Tales if uncorked and given a chance to breathe. Recalled are a host of familiarities such as Saga, Genesis, Marillion, and Bill Esposito's unmistakable Geddy Lee nasopharyngeals. But unlike with most of the other impostors out there, these tributes are welcome and tastefully done. Lead composer Tim Horan's keys (not to mention Dan Esposito's guitars) snare our attention for 'Over the Falls', and near-perfect 'The Poet Liar' might've been a hit if people had been listening to prog in the late '90s. 'Lords and Leeches' has a nice Americana vocal-pop appeal and includes Horan's squealing lead, 'Land For Sale' evokes early Rush, and seven-part 'An Imp's Tale' is the compositional highlight.

While not in the same creative league as a Wobbler or a Tangent, for most proggies Crucible will fit like a cherished pair of elderly shoes-- three concrete stars.

 Curtains by CRUCIBLE album cover Studio Album, 2001
3.40 | 35 ratings

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Curtains
Crucible Symphonic Prog

Review by b_olariu
Prog Reviewer

3 stars Thier second offer and aswell the swansong of this promising band , from 2001 named Curtains. Well, this is in same manner composed as previous one, but less adventurous in my opinion. Again Genesis meets Rush but melted with thier own ideas. Still plenty of great moments here like opening track The Swordplayer, Noble rot, the cover art of another good '70 american prog band Crack the sky - Nuclear apathy very uptempo and wel performed and the final one the title track a great and fresh instrumental piece. Not a bad album at all, but is not fantstic overall, the band is still in great shape but with all that the pieces are not catchy enough to give the same stars as on their debute, 3 stars, maybe 3.5 in places. Good album that turns to be the final chapter for this discret and quite unnoticed band.

 Tall Tales by CRUCIBLE album cover Studio Album, 1997
3.87 | 82 ratings

BUY
Tall Tales
Crucible Symphonic Prog

Review by b_olariu
Prog Reviewer

4 stars Crucible were one of the top symphonic prog acts from late '90's early '00 releasing two albums and then gone into oblivion. Thir first album from 1998 is a damn great one in every aspect, both musicaly and lyricaly. Tall tales is the name of the album with an excellent covert art. This is one of the most exciting records I've heared in long time, even is almost 15 years old this record never stops to amaze me every time I've listing to it. Combining symphonic prog passages a la Genesis Trick of the tail era with arrangements taken from Rush Hemispheres perios, Tall tales is a total winner. Bill Esposito vocal parts remind me a lot of Geddy Lee from that period fiting like a glove in the kind of music they offer here. Complex instrumental passages, the keybords sounds vintage like overall sound of the album, but in a modern way aproached here, never boring a moment. The guitar , druming all is top notch. From the opening track Over the Falls with nice ans mooth Horan's keyboards passages, through the Lords and Leeches and ending with epic piece An Imp's Tale divided in smaller parts this album is a killer one. Very good are the vocal parts, the guitar ones and the keyboards, really strong and inventive, with a clear '70's sound. Dan Esposito guitar is all over the places, showing that he is for sure a very strong and talented musician. All in all a great work by this band, the for some reasons never made it in prog scenes. 4 stars , reacommended , excellent album.

 Tall Tales by CRUCIBLE album cover Studio Album, 1997
3.87 | 82 ratings

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Tall Tales
Crucible Symphonic Prog

Review by Warthur
Prog Reviewer

4 stars Imagine a blend between the sounds of Discipline's debut album and Genesis' A Trick of the Tail, with the lyrical subject matter geared much towards the latter rather than the former: there you'll have a fairly good idea of the sound of Crucible, who like Discipline straddle the worlds of symphonic prog and neo-prog and are happy to pick the best ideas from both subgenres in producing their whimsical fairy tales. The Esposito brothers are the star players on this album, with Dan Esposito proving a capable guitarist in the Steve Hackett/Steve Rothery vein, whilst Bill Esposito has the vocal presence of a young Geddy Lee (but not quite such a high voice). Not game-changingly original, but very capably composed and delivered nonetheless.
 Curtains by CRUCIBLE album cover Studio Album, 2001
3.40 | 35 ratings

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Curtains
Crucible Symphonic Prog

Review by Mellotron Storm
Prog Reviewer

3 stars Here's another album that's been a pleasant surprise for me. American band CRUCIBLE put out two albums in their career and this is the second one called "Curtains". Instrumentally we get a GENESIS flavour but with the vocalist sounding nothing like Gabriel or Collins I sure wouldn't call them a clone band. Some mellotron on 4 of the tracks as well.

"The Swordplayer" opens with piano before the bass and drums joins in as the organ and guitar come and go. Vocals after 3 minutes. Mellotron after 5 minutes. Nice guitar solo after 6 1/2 minutes with organ. "I'd Rather Walk" opens with drums and guitar before the vocals then organ and chunky bass join in. Another guitar solo in this one as well. "A Man Of Two Minds" has a beat with vocals. I like the instrumental section that ends before 3 minutes.

"Noble Rot" opens with piano and vocals. Organ and guitar follow. Lots of piano in the middle. Very GENESIS-like after 3 minutes. "Nucleur Apathy" is a CRACK IN THE SKY cover. Strummed guitar and reserved vocals early. It kicks in with organ and drums 2 minutes in. I like the intricate guitar before 4 1/2 minutes, it reminds me of KING CRIMSON's "Discipline". "World's Apart" is mellow with reserved vocals, light drums and piano before it gets fuller. Contrasts continue. "Curtains" is the closing 9 1/2 minute instrumental and it's a good one at that.

3.5 stars for this one.Their debut is even better.

 Tall Tales by CRUCIBLE album cover Studio Album, 1997
3.87 | 82 ratings

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Tall Tales
Crucible Symphonic Prog

Review by Gerinski
Prog Reviewer

4 stars Surprisingly good for a debut, I fully endorse that despite its release date, this album be tagged as Symphonic Prog and not as Neo-Prog. The sound is closer to the 70's classics than to Neo.

This could be described as a seemingly strange combination of mid-70's Genesis with modern Rush, but no worries, this is not a clone of any of the big ones. The prominent keyboards of Tim Horan use a lot patches sounding like Tony Banks in Gabriel-era Genesis and this gives it a vintage feel, but the music itself is more modern, when it reminds of Genesis it's more like the period of Wind and Wuthering or And Then There Were Three. The Rush feel comes mostly from the voice of Bill Esposito which is a kind of mellow Geddy Lee, without the harsh screaming tones of the canadian, but also because some vocal melodies are similar to the softer tracks of mid-modern Rush. We can also feel some similarities with Kansas and Jethro Tull, and with the lesser known Iluvatar, and in fact the voice is like a mix of Geddy Lee and Iluvatar's Glenn McLaughlin.

The rest of the instruments play very competently but in a balanced way, without any of them particularly standing out.

The compositions are symphonic but with a modern touch, no bombastic moments and not much self-indulgence here even if we have a nice 21 minute suite divided in 7 parts. All the tracks are really good without actual weak moments, maybe the weakest track for my taste is the reggae-oriented The Salamander which is not bad anyway.

It's not far from deserving 5 stars, but the reason why it does not reach them is that even if all the music is really good, the compositions are somehow less inspired than those of the symphonic classics. There is no track which can be considered a timeless masterpiece, and as another reviewer put it, "even after some listens the music does not stick to your head". Sure enough if you let it spin enough it finally sticks and grows, but it's true that in the beginning it all sounds very good but nothing so outstanding as to make you think "whaw!".

But I have no hesitation in giving it 4 solid stars and strongly recommending it.

 Curtains by CRUCIBLE album cover Studio Album, 2001
3.40 | 35 ratings

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Curtains
Crucible Symphonic Prog

Review by Marty McFly
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

4 stars As I said many times and will say many times in future, I don't believe in this "everything sounds like Genesis, Yes, Camel" and few others myth. Because it does not sound like these. My threshold is probably hell high in the skies, so my point of view on this interesting, even not as good as their other album band is very positive. I'm finding new melodies, new structures, new patterns and in general, original impression it's making on me. Quite short for an album from 2001, but maybe they lacked ideas. It's somehow clear to see( and hear, both on cover and their sound) that sometimes, their sound lacks something important (Nuclear Apathy, too repetitive, without being thrilling song, it's prominent this way), but as I said, mostly it's not catastrophe.

4(-), decent Neo-Prog, not as good as Tall Tales, but still good. For me, so probably also for you. I consider current rating (3.17) quite unfair for them, as they have more to offer than as rating implies.

 Tall Tales by CRUCIBLE album cover Studio Album, 1997
3.87 | 82 ratings

BUY
Tall Tales
Crucible Symphonic Prog

Review by Marty McFly
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

5 stars Slow Neo Symphonic Prog that (for some) overuses melody themes and is more than (not my opinion) influenced by good ol' Gen. Not that this does matter a lot in my rating system, because I don't play this game of stealing ideas, clone bands etc. I've just lost rather lengthy review (I know, this is quickly becoming cliché, how many times I've had this ? About 10x/410 reviews), so again - you'll not be blessed (or damned, depending on how you like my style) by 300-words review, but instead with a short one. Which ends right

now

5(-), because listening this 8th time in a row isn't just as good as the first one. There's really no bad track, which I see as big advantage. When you expect them to fall, they surprise you with yet another sound, another chord, solo etc and story can continue.

Thanks to ProgLucky for the artist addition. and to Quinino for the last updates

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