CROWBAR:
Kirk Windstein – vocals/guitar
Matt Brunson – guitar
Shane Wesley – bass
Tommy Buckley – drums
CROWBAR’s enduring presence in the world of music spans an impressive 32 years. They have steadfastly remained true to their unique identity. A synonym for suffering, the essence of Southern desolation, and masters of delivering guitar riffs imbued with a fierce bite. Across their extensive discography of 11 previous albums, their auricular signature has remained unwavering. It’s a deliberate fusion of languor, though never excessively, and a profound, melancholic density.
With “Zero And Below,” the band ushers bassist Shane Wesley into their ranks. Kurt Windstein’s gritty vocals, which have become an emblem of their raw sound, continue to stand out amidst a backdrop of downtuned riffs and thundering drums. They waste no time, launching into a high-octane rhythmic onslaught with “The Fear That Binds You,” immediately plunging listeners into the depths of despair. A sentiment further solidified in tracks like “Her Evil Is Sacred.” The tempo drags at a sluggish pace, the weighty guitars oozing like molasses throughout, imposing a crushing gravity on the senses.
“Denial of Truth” slows the cadence considerably, tempering some of the aggression while retaining an ever-present sense of impending doom. “Chemical Godz” introduces a pervasive, bluesy groove, accentuated by the prominence of the bass, and its accompanying video delves into the harrowing consequences of addiction.
“Bleeding from Every Hole” stands out as a track where the bass guitar takes center stage, providing a pulsating foundation. “Confess To Nothing” and “Her Evil is Sacred” maintain a slow pummeling pace, paradoxically radiating an enduring energy.
“Denial Of The Truth” exudes a ’90s nostalgia, harkening back to the band’s early days of the bands inception. The album culminates with its title track, where Kirk Windstein’s raspy vocals traverse through a shimmering fog of sludge, perfectly encapsulating the melancholy, regret, and profound sense of loss that eternally haunts humanity, perhaps more poignant now than ever before. In these weighty times, the demand for heavy music remains, and CROWBAR consistently asserts their place among the heaviest of them all.
Zero And Below is available on CD, LP, cassette, and digitally. Preview and purchase the record at THIS LOCATION.
Track listing:
01. The Fear That Binds You
02. Her Evil Is Sacred
03. Confess To Nothing
04. Chemical Godz
05. Denial Of The Truth
06. Bleeding From Every Hole
07. It’s Always Worth The Gain
08. Crush Negativity
09. Reanimating A Lie
10. Zero And Below
CROWBAR w/ Primitive Man:
9/07/2023 Downtown Music Hall – Fort Walton Beach, FL
9/08/2023 Conduit – Orlando, FL
9/09/2023 The Orpheum – Tampa, FL
9/10/2023 Gramps – Miami, FL
w/ Primitive Man, Bodybox:
9/12/2023 Masquerade – Atlanta, GA
9/13/2023 New Brookland Tavern – Columbia, SC
9/14/2023 Asheville Music Hall – Asheville, NC
9/15/2023 The Camel – Richmond, VA
9/17/2023 Broken Goblet – Bensalem, PA
9/19/2023 Dingbatz – Clifton, NJ
9/20/2023 Song & Dance – Syracuse, NY
9/21/2023 Palladium – Worcester, MA
9/22/2023 Saint Vitus Bar – Brooklyn, NY
9/23/2023 Angel City Music Hall – Manchester, NH
9/24/2023 Space Ballroom – Hamden, CT
9/26/2023 Crafthouse – Pittsburgh, PA
9/27/2023 Hobart Art Theater – Hobart, IN
9/28/2023 Reggie’s – Chicago, IL
9/29/2023 Grog Shop – Cleveland, OH
9/30/2023 Pyramid Scheme – Grand Rapids, MI
10/01/2023 Wildwood – Iowa City, IA w/ Venom Inc #
10/02/2023 Red Flag – St Louis, MO
10/04/2023 Cobra – Nashville, TN
10/05/2023 George’s Majestic – Fayetteville, AR
# = No Support