Review
Crowbar
Sever The Wicked Hand

What can be said about Crowbar that hasn't already been said? Easily one of the heaviest band's in modern metal the Louisiana band has persevered for two decades. While most bands would go through various phases or at least get more mellow through the years Crowbar remains a sludgy standard bearer. The metal press has talked much about leader Kirk Windstein's newly found sobriety and how this would affect the music itself. Well, the good news is that it hasn't. The change in his lifestyle seems to have had no affect on his ability to write meticulous nearly overbearingly heavy riffs.
The main thing people listen for on Crowbar records seems to be the riffs. There is much to be had for anyone seeking great riffs while listening to this record. The guitars are sludgy and heavier than nearly any record i can recall from the past few years. The riffs creep along through the mix carrying their own muddy overtone throughout. This is not to deny the clarity of the recording whatsoever, as the production is clear as day, this quality helps to make the riffs more palpable to the listener allowing for a sense of atmosphere.
The rhythm section works well together to carry the songs along and create a consistently strong bed for the riffs to lie upon. The drums in particular are something special. Not relying on technicality as much as clarity, the drums are played with a strong sense of intuition for what each of the songs need. Drum Fills are kept to a minimum as they seem unnecessary in many of the songs.
The production is very crisp and classy. This is done in such a way to allow the grittiness and sludge style of the guitars to really come through without making the recording sound really dirty. There remains a perfect balance of clarity and nastiness throughout the album. This makes the album feel at once overbearingly heavy without being truly overbearing to the listener.
Six years after their last album Crowbar have returned. This seems to have been done with a strong sense of making a true album .Rather than relying on their already existing fanbase and pumping something out just to satiate them. The band has returned stronger than ever. Making Sever The Wicked Hand less of a return to form as it is a new chapter containing a strong sense of the chapters prior.