CROWBAR
Zero And Below
2022, MNRK Heavy
The old adage goes that writing about music is like dancing about architecture. It is true that eventually, we simply run out of adjectives and our lexicons become either lazy or, worse yet, incapable. The band sounds like the band - it’s precisely why we like the band. They have it, a sound or otherwise evocative quality that keeps fanbases clamoring for more. CROWBAR have always sounded like a ten ton hammer, son.
On a seemingly impossible upward trajectory of increasingly awesome albums since reviving itself in 2005, CROWBAR is basically an entity at this point - the tone is theirs alone and their pacing and atmosphere is as welcoming as a black hole. Never once plodding or pandering to be considered doom, Windstein and company much prefer to slather you in riffs like BBQ sauce on ribs at a Southern backyard shindig. Low and slow is the way to go.
Wasting absolutely no time, opening salvo “The Fear That Binds You” shows Kirk gleefully flouting his plumage, riffing all over the place like a man on fire, his tone absolutely dialed in with none of the performance being so. The low end (yes, it can go lower) of drummer Tommy Buckley and Shane Wesley snaps, crackles and pops all over the track and certainly lays a strong foundation on what is to come. And what is that, you may ask? Well, not only is Zero And Below sure to go down as one of CROWBAR’s best and most balanced albums, it deftly puts on display exactly why phrases like “band sounds like band” exist. It isn’t a cop out - it’s a compliment. The simple phrase indicates that, beyond a doubt, the band exists in its own sphere.
I think that “Her Evil Is Sacred” is supposed to be a love song. “Confess To Nothing” gives me serious SOILENT GREEN flashbacks. The front half of this ten track platter of splatter definitely matters, but midpoint slow burner “Denial Of Truth” is a perfect icebreaker of a riff fest. It’s slow, it plods with pachydermic determination and a singular sense of vision and scope. Lyrically, Zero And Below finds Windstein pensive, reflective, offering of warning and self realization and, ultimately, redemption. If you are taking a deep dive into the lyrics be sure to have some deep breaths beforehand.
Oftentimes in album format at least, there can be a tendency for the pacing of an album to be front loaded with the back end not being especially memorable, but serviceable nonetheless. This is not the case with Zero And Below. Beginning with “Bleeding From Every Hole”, it plainly slaps. I cannot think of a better word (remember that lexical lamenting…) and must provide kudos for the best goregrind or death metal song title not on the market anymore. Follow up “It’s Always Worth The Gain” is aptly monikered, and if that riff wasn’t so damn gnarly the interplay of guitar and drums would not be out of place in your favorite 80s metal band.
Zero And Below shows a band long in the tooth, sure. But CROWBAR is definitely not out of ideas or excitement. We should all be so lucky. Worship the riff lord. This is easily one of my personal favorites, and 31 years after their debut - CROWBAR still sounds like a ten ton hammer.
4.5 Out Of 5.0
