Crowbar
Crowbar · 1993
36 min · 10 tracks · sludge metal
A heavy blend of crushing riffs and haunting melodies that perfectly encapsulates the essence of sludge metal.
Top tracks — play these first
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High Rate Extinction — This opening track sets a relentless tone with its aggressive rhythms and raw vocals, establishing the album's dark atmosphere immediately.
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No Quarter — A cover of Led Zeppelin's classic, this rendition transforms the original into a slow, brooding masterpiece that showcases Crowbar's unique interpretation and heavy sound.
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Existence Is Punishment — The song's stark lyrics and crushing instrumental backdrop delve into themes of despair and hopelessness, resonating with the album's overall mood.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Crowbar's self-titled album showcases heavy riffs and dynamic shifts, solidifying its place in sludge metal.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of downtuned guitars, creating a heavy and oppressive sound throughout its ten tracks.
- Several tracks incorporate tempo shifts, alternating between slow, crushing riffs and faster, aggressive sections.
- Vocals are delivered in a harsh, guttural style that complements the music's intensity, often layered with melodic elements in the choruses.
- 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
- short bursts of intense emotion
- cathartic release of despair
- heavy riffs for late nights
- oppressive atmosphere of tension
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of lighthearted tunes
- prefer uplifting, positive vibes
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1993, Crowbar's self-titled album marked their third studio effort, following the critically acclaimed 'Time Heals Nothing'. At this point, the band was solidifying its presence in the underground metal scene, showcasing a distinct sound that combined elements of doom and hardcore.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Down· Eyehategod· Acid Bath
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 High Rate Extinction 2:43
- 2 All I Had (I Gave) 3:10
- 3 Will That Never Dies 3:56
- 4 Fixation 3:45
- 5 No Quarter 4:29
- 6 Self-Inflicted 2:44
- 7 Negative Pollution 3:11
- 8 Existence Is Punishment 4:28
- 9 Holding Nothing 3:12
- 10 I Have Failed 4:23
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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