CROWBAR - Sonic Excess In Its Purest Form
September 18, 2001, 22 years ago
(Spitfire)
Ah yes, slow and doomy unmitigated pain returns. This time, however, Crowbar's got a new trick up its collective sleeve: speed. After a thorough discography spent plucking away at the ol' instruments at snail's pace, the members of Crowbar finally decided to take a walk on the wild side. And what a welcome change Sonic Excess In Its Purest Form represents. Not only do the songs sound rejuvenated and more vibrant on this release, but it quickly becomes clear Crowbar is rocking harder than ever before. 'The Lasting Dose' provides all the hardcore NOLA fans with something more to (slowly) bang their heads to, while 'Awakening' pushes the boundaries of the Crowbar sound and smashes its way through the listener's psyche -- you might even be able to mosh to this one! The album then continues with 'Repulsive In Its Sp(l?)endid Beauty', a brilliantly titled exercise in the black dogs of misery, while album highlight 'Suffering Brings Wisdom' is cathartic, its emotionality dripping with masochistic intensity. Also of note is the instrumental 'In Times Of Sorrow', providing a welcome mellow respite from the rest of the bludgeoning sludge. Drowning your sorrows in a lake of tears just got a helluva lot more fun.
