The Crate
Greg Puciato
Child Soldier: Creator of God
Child Soldier: Creator of God is Greg Puciato’s debut solo album, released October 1, 2020 on his own Federal Prisoner label. Puciato handles most instruments, with drums recorded by Chris Hornbrook, Chris Pennie, and Ben Koller; it was produced by Nick Rowe and mixed by Steve Evetts. The work blends extreme metal, synth textures, and experimental sounds, and Metal Hammer named it the 45th best metal album of 2020. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_Soldier%3A_Creator_of_God))
Recording History
The album was recorded in Los Angeles from 2019 into early 2020, with Nick Rowe producing and Steve Evetts handling mixing; mastering was by Alan Douches. Puciato plays all instruments aside from drums, which were performed by Hornbrook, Pennie, and Koller. The project’s writing expanded from an initial impulse to release under a solo moniker into a full-length under Puciato’s name after a conversation with Jerry Cantrell. It includes the lead single “Fire for Water,” which premiered March 2, 2020. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_Soldier%3A_Creator_of_God))
Chart Performance & Recognition
In Australia, the album peaked at No. 69 on the ARIA Albums Chart. It received notable critical attention, with Dead Press praising the work upon release, and Metal Hammer ranking it among the year’s best metal albums (No. 45). ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_Soldier%3A_Creator_of_God))
Cultural Impact & Legacy
Critics highlighted the record as a bold, genre-blurring statement that synthesizes Puciato’s varied past with new directions, helping bridge his work with The Dillinger Escape Plan, The Black Queen, and related projects. The album’s positioning as a personal, integrative statement and its high-profile press coverage contributed to its lasting recognition in 2020–2021. Trivia: the dual-use title/identity—initially “Creator of God” or “Child Soldier”—was ultimately merged under his own name following Cantrell’s advice. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_Soldier%3A_Creator_of_God))