Crowbar – Zero and Below (MNRK Heavy)
Friday, 11th March 2022
The embodiment of crushingly heavy, Crowbar have firmly established credibility through their consistent studio outings, as well as providing the legions of metalheads globally with head leveling performances from the stage. Zero and Below is the group’s twelfth studio album and first in six years – recorded and ready to go a couple of years back but awaiting proper touring avenues to open back up for the best release window. Lifers when it comes to metal, guitarist/vocalist Kirk Windstein and company understand that each new record should continue to give more of what Crowbar followers treasure – while occasionally throwing the slider or off-speed pitch to keep people on their toes over the course of these ten tracks.
The low-tuned rhythms and massive bass/drum combinations create a sonic barrage that won’t soon be forgotten – right out of the gate “The Fear That Binds You” captivates in that mid-tempo to slightly slower sludge-oriented churn that melts paint on impact. Primal attitude pervades the music – the drumming forceful, sharp, and locked in the pocket, the bass parts deeper and haunting, while vocally Kirk channels rage, pain, and fear to the common man. The low swinging riffs plus harmonic accents for “Confess to Nothing” a front half highlight, Windstein and fellow guitarist Matt Brunson laying down early Black Sabbath meets Type O-esque measures. Conversely when the band wants to ramp up the tempo a bit in a punk/hardcore/crossover mold, look no further than “Bleeding from Every Hole” – a delightful energetic outing sure to make for pit frenzy action in clubs and theaters. Emphasizing a bit more of their natural doom affinity this go around, the closing title cut provides that left-field atmosphere, acoustic and electric instrumentation setting up this reflective, circular vibe that winds down the record calmly.
We all have our favorite records to return to when it comes to a long-running act such as Crowbar (for this scribe – Odd Fellows Rest and Sever the Wicked Hand), and at this point Zero and Below could end up on that third rung for mandatory, consistent airplay. Metal would not be the same without this band and their work – glad to see them still moving mountains to preserve forever.
