Crowbar - Sever the Wicked Hand (CD)

New Orleans metal and substance abuse go hand-in-hand, but there is only so long a band can survive that lifestyle. “Sever the Wicked Hand” represents the literal severance between Crowbar Kirk Windstein and his addictions. Their 9th studio album following a six-year hiatus and Kirk’s first completely sober, it received mostly positive reviews for its fresh take on the band’s proven heaviness.

One of the big five sludge metal bands that helped pioneer the sound and put NOLA on the world metal map, Crowbar’s influence should not be overshadowed. The earliest days of Crowbar point back to hardcore band ShellShock but then guitarist Mike Hatch committed suicide. The band went on a tailspin. After many name and lineup changes verging on total collapse, Crowbar found their footing. They’d put out a debut album in 1991 but by commercial standards, wouldn’t make it anywhere. Finally, the band caught a break thanks to connections with Phil Anselmo of Pantera and their band’s rising success. Crowbar was able to rise with the floodwaters. As more people started taking notice of the NOLA metal scene, Crowbar floated to the top thanks to their unique blend of doom, hardcore and Melvin’s inspired songwriting.

Tracklist:

1. Isolation (Desperation)
2. Sever the Wicked Hand
3. Liquid Sky and Cold Black Earth
4. Let Me Mourn
5. The Cemetery Angels
6. As I Become One
7. A Farewell to Misery
8. Protectors of the Shrine
9. I Only Deal in Truth
10. Echo An Eternity
11. Cleanse Me, Heal Me
12. Symbiosis