Released 30 years ago
Broken Glass
Crowbar · 1996
38 min · 10 tracks · sludge metal
Heavy, brooding riffs intertwine with anguished vocals, creating a suffocating atmosphere that defines the essence of sludge metal.
Top tracks — play these first
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Like Broken Glass — This track exemplifies the emotional weight of the album, featuring a slow build-up that culminates in explosive riffs, perfectly encapsulating Crowbar's signature style.
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(Can't) Turn Away From Dying — The song's relentless tempo and biting lyrics create an unyielding sense of despair, showcasing Crowbar's ability to blend aggression with introspective themes.
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I Am Forever — A standout track that combines melodic elements with heavy instrumentation, it highlights the band's range and serves as an anthem of perseverance amid struggle.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's heavy riffs and emotional vocals define its sludge metal identity while maintaining strong cohesion and distinctiveness.
What we noticed
- The album features heavy, downtuned guitar riffs that create a dense wall of sound, characteristic of the sludge metal genre.
- Vocals alternate between anguished screams and deep growls, enhancing the emotional weight of the lyrics throughout the tracks.
- Several tracks incorporate tempo changes, moving from slow, crushing sections to faster, aggressive passages, which adds dynamic contrast.
- The final track ends with a prolonged fade-out, leaving a lingering sense of heaviness that resonates after the music stops.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- suffocating atmosphere of despair
- urgent bursts of raw energy
- emotional catharsis through intensity
- short tracks for quick impact
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of light-hearted themes
- prefer melodic, soothing sounds
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1996, Broken Glass is Crowbar's fifth studio album and showcases their evolution within the sludge metal genre. At this point, they were solidifying their reputation after achieving recognition with previous albums like 1993's Sonic Excess in Its Purest Form. The record reflects their continued exploration of themes surrounding pain and resilience.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Down· Eyehategod· Acid Bath
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Conquering 2:48
- 2 Like Broken Glass 3:43
- 3 (Can't) Turn Away From Dying 5:00
- 4 Wrath of Time Be Judgement 3:32
- 5 Nothing 5:29
- 6 Burn Your World 2:44
- 7 I Am Forever 4:17
- 8 Above, Below and Inbetween 3:00
- 9 You Know (I'll Live Again) 3:08
- 10 Reborn Thru Me 4:30
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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