Crowbar -“Zero and Below”

Rustbelt Rock Reviews

By: Z.M. Delgado

Zackolantern.com

Volume 1: Crowbar -“Zero and Below”

Release date: March 4, 2022

MNRK Heavy

For my first installment in my review series I have chosen Crowbar’s newest release, “Zero and Below” the 12th entry in their catalogue. The album opens with a punch in the gut by the name of The Fear That Binds You. A classic Windstein riff that immediately drew me in with a vibe similar to A Taste of Dying from 2014’s Symmetry in Black. Another similarity that emerges here, and is pervasive throughout the record, is the notion of survival and strength. This is also classic Crowbar. Battling through the darkness and defeating personal demons is one of the band’s most common lyrical themes. The next track, Her Evil is Sacred is Sludge Metal 101 for me. Windstein’s gravely vocals and its slow churning meter are staples of the genre. Lyrically I found this song interesting, as depending on your perspective on the person of “Her.” As a woman, or as the bands home city of New Orleans, the meaning could be quite different. Adding further intrigue to this is: Her Evil is Sacred contains the album’s only lyrical credit to anyone other than Kirk himself: here he shares the spotlight with the one and only R. Windstein, his wife. 

Confess to Nothing, I really enjoy. This song really embodies the bands “slower is heavier” philosophy, in the vein of Nothing from 1996’s Broken Glass. A strong lyrical contribution here as well, with addiction overtones and plenty of cold imagery lending to the album’s overall feel of “below zero”. If there was such a thing as a textbook Crowbar song, it would be the first single from the album, Chemical Godz. Dramatic tempo changes, chugging bluesy guitar licks, vocals variations from snarls to melodic: this is the sound that has defined this band from its inception. Ending with a big, musical guitar piece that perfectly showcases how Windstein earned the name “Riff Lord.” In stark contrast to the circle pit worthy rhythm of Chemical Godz, Denial of the Truth is slow to the point of crawling. Windstein’s vocals reverberate around the track in a manner that is nothing short of haunting. The energy ramps back up in Bleeding From Every Hole.  This song has the kind of power that you get from classic tracks like Conquering or As I Become One. I specifically enjoyed Wesley’s bass work here. I think it speaks to how well he has integrated into the group, not just on stage but now on the albums as well.  

Up next comes It’s Always Worth the Gain, which is the stand out track on the record. It has one of the most unique, yet quintessentially “Windstein” riffs. The start and stop rhythm of the guitar and vocal pattern, paired with Buckley’s constantly varying drum fills on this track add an improvisational feel to the steel tapestry woven throughout. Without a doubt, this is a song that I desperately hope finds a permanent home in the live set. 

If the album has a lull, so to speak, it would be at this point. Crush Negativity slows it down again, before delivering another blistering ending. Reanimating a Lie has a very groove metal sort vibe with some nice tempo changes that reminds me of Toxic from Windstein’s solo album.  That groove vibe turns into a brutal finale that sounds very similar to Cemetery Angels. The opinions that some of the new songs sound oddly familiar to older tracks are most apparent on the eighth and ninth songs. 

The album closes with the title track Zero and Below: A brooding, slow, almost contemplative death hymn. This is the sort of song a movie director chooses for the funeral scene; as the widow weeps and the casket is lowered into the earth. The yawning grave that graces the cover art and the title track go hand in hand. If Denial of the Truth is haunting, then Zero and Below is mourning; bordering on despair. While the rest of the album sticks to Crowbar’s lyrical themes of perseverance and strength, this song has more of a regretful foreboding to it. It finishes with some very beautiful, duel guitar work that has Windstein and Brunson fade the album away like ever weakening respiration. 

So now we come down to it: What did I think? Certainly, Zero and Below is not of the caliber of a genre defining Broken Glass, Odd Fellows Rest, or my personal favorite Sonic Excess in its Purest Form; but those records are revered for a reason. The one major criticism that I have seen, and I am inclined to agree with, is this record does seem to lack that one truly special song. I, of course, mean a song of the legendary power of a “Lasting Dose,” “All I Had (I Gave),” or Windstein’s masterpiece: “Planet’s Collide.” So if you’re main criticism is that this album lacks a legendary Riff Lord showstopper, I agree with you. This album has nothing along the quality of those songs. But let’s be honest, there was only one Stairway to Heaven, and there can only be one Planets Collide. Not many artists have the ability to write songs that can go on to immortality. That sort of magic is harnessed by few and not many have bent it to their will as often as Mr. Kirk Windstein. As I said before though It’s Always Worth the Gain, is a legitimate head banger and I think Zero and Below deserves a hard listen. 

So how do I rank this new album among the bands prior entries? A difficult question. This stems from one problem Crowbar suffers from: Undeniably consistency.  Closing in on forty years of unwaveringly solid Southern Sludge under their belts, Crowbar clearly still has plenty left in the tank. So no, Zero and Below is certainly not Crowbar’s best record, but it is not their worst by far; I think it holds a well deserved spot firmly in the middle. When discussing a back catalogue of Crowbars strength, that is saying something. 

So in short, I love it. I think the metal fans all over the world, will love it. I believe it shows growth in song structure and renewed energy since The Serpent Only Lies and is overall heavier and less somber in tone than Kirk’s most recent release: his solo album Dream In Motion. Yes, you feel shades of the early material throughout, but in a band as consistent in sound as Crowbar is: How could you not? And sure, maybe there isn’t a legendary song, but there are more than a few damn good ones. I highly recommend you pick this record up, and check out Crowbar live on their current tour. I know I’ll be there. 

(Crowbar- Zero and Below: An above average album with some impressive moments, by an incredible band. Horns up for the Riff Lord!)