Launched via: Rockshots Information
Free up Date: June twenty eighth, 2024
Style: Revolutionary Rock/Steel
Hyperlinks: https://harpazomusic.com/
Singers
DC Cooper as “The Messenger”
Gary Wehrkamp as Jude Solomon
Lee Lemperle as Princess Relena Umberto
Jennifer Eckhart as Ellie
Rey Parra as Moses
Christian Liljegren as Casimir Agnus
Les Carlsen as “The Stranger”
Michael Power as Pope John X
Lead guitars via Gary Wehrkamp
Bass via Gary Wehrkamp
Keys and Piano via Gary Wehrkamp
All drums carried out via Gary Wehrkamp apart from: Niklas Kahl on “I Am God”, “Exchange of Center
Pt. 1” and Mark Zonder on “Ichor”, “Golden Crown”, “The Crucible”, “The E-book of Existence”.
Further electrical guitars, drums and keys via Marc Centanni
Violins – Stephanie Morykin
Lead guitars via Gary Wehrkamp
Bass via Gary Wehrkamp
Keys and Piano via Gary Wehrkamp
All drums carried out via Gary Wehrkamp apart from: Niklas Kahl on “I Am God”, “Exchange of Center
Pt. 1” and Mark Zonder on “Ichor”, “Golden Crown”, “The Crucible”, “The E-book of Existence”.
Further electrical guitars, drums and keys via Marc Centanni
Violins – Stephanie Morykin
Trombones – Gary Bredbenner
Guitar Solo #2 on “Golden Crown” via Joe Stone
Keyboard solo on“Exchange of Center Pt. 2” via Bruno Sa
Backing vocals: Gary, Marc, John Zadeh, Gabriel Wehrkamp, Matthew O’Connell, Jim Roberti,
Rick Fisher.
Tracklist:
1. Ichor
2. Legion Program
3. I Am God
4. Golden Crown
5. The Crucible
6. Two Witnesses
7. Exchange of Center Pt. 1
8. Ultimatum
9. We Are Vulnerable
10. Small Worth to Pay
11. Exchange of Center Pt. 2
12. The E-book of Existence
Input the immersive global of Harpazo: The Crucible, a dystopian epic set in 2142. Jude Solomon, CEO of Ichor, unveils a progressive nanoid serum merging people with equipment, promising immortality and catalyzing a profound shift in human evolution. In opposition to the backdrop of world turmoil induced via catastrophic meteors, Solomon seizes energy, reworking Babylon right into a bastion of his visionary beliefs. This narrative of ambition, dominance, and the convergence of humanity and era unfolds with compelling depth.
Central to the saga is Michael Lightborne, referred to as “The Messenger,” an augmented murderer solid via Venture Talos. His cybernetic improvements render him an impressive software, but his odyssey is fraught with non-public struggle and moral reckoning. Charged with quelling spiritual dissent in Jerusalem, Michael embodies the radical’s core stress between conformity and insurrection, his personality imbued with intricate layers and poignant intensity.
Princess Relena Umberto’s quest to revive the Italian monarchy provides layers of political intrigue, intertwining all of a sudden with Solomon’s ambitions. Their alliance explores issues of ambition, loyalty, and tool in an international reshaped via each technological development and cataclysmic upheaval.
Harpazo: The Crucible captivates as a fusion of speculative fiction and political mystery, providing a thought-provoking exploration of humanity’s quest for transcendence and the moral quandaries it provokes. With its wealthy personality construction and complicated narrative arcs, this novel demanding situations readers to consider the cost of utopia in a long run the place the bounds between humanity and era blur.
Now, turning to the track side, spearheaded via guitarist Marc Centanni and manufacturer Gary Wehrkamp (Shadow Gallery, Ayreon), this undertaking has been long-awaited. Originating in 2010, the album “The Crucible” in the end emerges in 2024 beneath the banner of Rockshots Information. This meticulously crafted idea album represents a hard work of affection, that includes an excellent lineup of musicians together with DC Cooper (Royal Hunt), Mark Zonder (Fates Caution, Warlord), Les Carlsen (Bloodgood), Rey Parra (Deny the Fallen, Sacred Warrior), Christian Liljegren (Narnia), Michael Power Lee (Barren Go, Worldview), Niklas Kahl (Lord of the Misplaced, Flaming Row), Lee Lemperle (Out of doors the Wall), Bruno Sa (Operation Mindcrime), Enzo Donnarumma (Enzo and the Glory Ensemble), and Jennifer Eckhart (Jennifer Okay Eckhart & Stained Glass Highway).
The album unfolds with “Ichor,” introducing Jude’s personality with innovative hooks, sinister riffs, and keyboard preparations harking back to Kansas. “Legion Program” showcases skilled guitar paintings main into the epic “I Am God,” a standout monitor that blends up-tempo rhythms with tough guitar melodies, portraying Jude as an impressive architect reshaping humanity.
The identify monitor calls for consideration with its intricate track construction and impeccable vocal layering via Michael Power, complemented via Gary’s masterful guitar paintings and Mark Zonder’s dynamic drumming. “Two Witnesses” conjures up sunglasses of Trans-Siberian Orchestra with its robust riffs and dynamic preparations, delving deep into the struggle between The Messenger and the chaos he embodies.
To deep dive into the undertaking and the way it all got here in combination, take a look at our interview with each Marc and Gary beneath:
“Exchange of Center” Pt. 1 options the unique vocals of Les Carlsen (former Bloodgood), echoing the emotive vary of Tobias Sammet (Avantasia, Edguy), whilst DC Cooper as soon as once more impresses along with his commanding presence. All over, Wehrkamp’s virtuosic guitar craftsmanship resonates, hinting at influences like outdated Queensrÿche with its complexity and intensity.
This epic idea album calls for consideration from begin to end, handing over a story and musical revel in harking back to greats comparable to Queensrÿche, Dream Theater, and Shadow Gallery. A testomony to a decade-long adventure of determination and fervour, “The Crucible” resonates with issues related to as of late’s global—era, synthetic intelligence, and the pursuit of immortality. Meticulously crafted in each composition and lyrical content material, this album is a testomony to the dedication and creative imaginative and prescient of Marc, Gary, and their collaborators. I extremely counsel giving it the eye it merits—it’s a outstanding success!
Written via: Denys
Rankings: 9/10
Editors Select 
