Unearthing the Metal Underground: Denmark’s Crucible

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Unearthing the Metal Underground: Denmark’s Crucible

Trends come and go, but classic heavy metal has stood the test of time. Some of our metal gods came from Denmark, the young upstarts in Mercyful Fate, including frontman King Diamond of course, and none other than Lars Ulrich. Fast forward to 2024, a few young Danes are proudly waving the flag of heavy metal with their demo “The Savage Weapon,” which caught the attention of From The Vaults who are releasing it on January 26. With “The Savage Weapon,” the trio —guitarists Jon Brogård and Thomas Carnell (Impalers), and vocalist Phillip Butler (Pectora)—worships at the altar of traditional metal with so much passion and energy that you can almost smell the denim and leather that they’re wearing.

The demo’s five songs, including a slamming cover of “Street Lethal” from Racer X, make it clear that they are a band that is genuine in their appreciation for metal’s early days. There’s an unhinged, almost punk element as the opening title track steamrolls with a loose but determined assault that’s speed metal in the most beautiful way. Butler charmingly attempts to reach for the heavens with his vocals, and there’s indeed a likable element to his unrefined voice that doesn’t quite reach the desired high points. At worst, though, his vocals are slightly annoying as he perpetually favors the higher register. He fares much better when he peppers “Mad Minute” with moments of the banshee-like wailing, though regularly keeping his singing in a much more comfortable and listenable mid-range for the better part of the rest of the song. Every rose has its thorn. At any rate, Crucible’s debut demo is definitely worth the attention of fans of Judas Priest and Motörhead who are looking for new blood.