With the release of album twelve Zero and Below the sound is still undeniable Crowbar from the get go, that distinctive essence of sludge that they have personally trademarked as their own. Being a force to be reckoned with is no easy feat in the industry today however as one of the pioneers of the sludge metal scene they are still true goliaths who cannot be matched. Still able to keep their committed fanbase with each new album, being at the top means that there are endless possibilities and directions in which to pursue.
The true heart of their music stems from New Orleans, Louisiana, notorious for being the birthplace of jazz, it is a testament to the creativity that NOLA natives have for the music that they play. There is a strong sense of community of bands that grew out of the New Orleans metal scene during the 90s forming a close-knit collective to solidify the notorious sound. This collective has produced a hive-mind of creativity to share and explore ideas, producing some of the most prolific albums of the metal scene during the 90s. With many musicians offering their talents in a handful of these bands, including Down, Acid Bath, Eyehategod, Exhorder.
The thick, immense, tar-like riffs give the name of the sludge metal genre they helped birth, with a hard hitting notion of emotional outpour from the bellowing, thunderous vocals of arguably metals most beloved frontman Kirk Windstein, it creates a place of safe sanctuary that many flock to express their true emotion.
With a career spanning as long as they have, and the introduction of new members in the past few years, including: Matt Brunson (guitar), Tommy Buckley (drums) and Shane Wesley (Bass). It’s no surprise that the tracks on this album flex, bend and break, exploring new and rediscovered avenues, whilst digging deep into their roots, they’ve used their experience to adapt to modern appetites whilst staying wholly unique on their own terms. There are many influences that span the album, none more so than ‘The Fear That Binds You’ which hits the ground running with an immense thrash laden opening anchoring the anticipation of what to expect perfectly, encapsulating the many faces of the band
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Another of these faces is the lead single from the album ‘Chemical Godz’, a track that ebbs and flows between big hitting guitar leads supported by Windstein’s growl, which then changes pace as quickly as it starts into a slogging headbang moment of syrupy riffs, instigating an early breakdown before being swept back up into the lead riff. There are moments that are parallel with that of ‘Planets Collide’ from Odd Fellow’s Rest (1998), which stuck true to the sound of many of the bands emerging out of the area, a blues/southern rock style injected with distortion and chugging riffs.
It’s safe to say that with the consistency and total impact that Crowbar can still offer and pursue within the metal community, they don’t seem to be slowing up anytime soon. Whilst a few lineup changes have donned new directions in the music, Zero and Below can gladly be added to a list of phenomenal records that still shows the true power, intensity and crushing brutality of their music.