Album
Type : Full Length
Date
Released : 26/5/2014
Label
: Century Media
Symmetry in
Black, track listing :
01. Walk With Knowledge Wisely (05:21)
02. Symmetry In White (04:08)
03. The Taste Of Dying (03:13)
04. Reflection Of Deceit (05:00)
05. Ageless Decay (03:40)
06. Amaranthine (02:47)
07. The Foreboding (04:13)
08. Shaman Of Belief (03:38)
09. Teach The Blind To See (03:42)
10. A Wealth Of Empathy (04:08)
11. Symbolic Suicide (04:22)
12. The Piety Of Self-Loathing (03:57)
The Band :
Kirk Windstein | guitar / vocals
Matt Brunson | guitar
Tommy Buckley | drums
Jeff Golden | bass
Review :
Crowbar
need no introduction for anyone reading this, so... They return, three years on
from Sever The Wicked Hand (a fine record) and with Kirk Windstein now fully
focused on the band following his departure from Down. The album, therefore,
needed to be a good one- this is now Kirk's full time employment and one would
expect the record to reflect this in terms of quality. Believe me, it does. As
a long time Crowbar listener, I would admit that some of their albums are more
familiar and get more playing time than others. The self titled album,
Lifesblood For The Downtrodden and Sonic Excess In Its Purest Form would be my
favourites but, truthfully, they have never made a bad record and even their
more average albums are much better than most bands' best.
First
off, the sound is massive- drums batter out of the speakers with brutal intent
as ‘Walk With Knowledge Wisely’ crushes all in its path. Massive riffs,
great vocal performance, this is exactly the type of thing Crowbar are known
for. The quasi-title track (in white) takes things down a notch in parts but is
still weighty and melancholy all at the same time.
‘The
Taste of Dying’
is a lurching groove-fest of epic proportions and yet again you will realise
what good songs Crowbar write- it sets them apart, it really does. Windstein
has always professed a love for everything from Motorhead to much more
mainstream 70's pop songs and that eclectic approach to listening pays off in
his writing. ‘Refelection of Deceit’ is downbeat and maudlin prior to ‘Ageless
Decay’ roaring out at hardcore pace- Broken Glass springs to mind- and
exploding with rage and energy. The pacing drops for weight to drag the track
along but then gloriously returns to faster tempos. ‘Amaranthine’ has a
very nice clean intro- very Crowbar- as Kirk's vocals mistily seep from the
mix. The track works really well as a half way point before ‘The Foreboding’
continues on the style with added dynamics. Superb stuff. Melancholy and slow,
the band refuse to play just in one way and the diversity benefits the record.
‘Shaman
of Belief’
boasts a large riff and more anger than the previous track- again ringing the
changes- with the hooks strong and the dynamics sharp. ‘Teach The Blind To
See’ is monumentally heavy and downtuned with riffs upon riffs. Note the
fact that the album is well on the way to its conclusion and the quality is
right up there...
‘A
Wealth Of Empathy’
comes on slow and strong with that harmony aspect that Crowbar use (Thin Lizzy
in full effect!). Introspective and mood shifting it showcases a lot of what
Crowbar do best. ‘Symbolic Suicide’ is fast and Motorhead-ish in its
approach, but of course it slows for the chorus to allow that beastly guitar
sound to scrape out your ears. ‘The Piety Of Self-Loathing’ closes the
show with a faded intro opening that allows the true weight of the production
to be felt. A mood piece that kind of sounds like early Judas Priest slowed
down and strung out, this vocal-less triumph is a fitting end to a very good
record indeed.
Having
listened to this album extensively over the last week, I know that it will be
one of my most listened to albums both of the Crowbar canon and of this year. A
classic band making classic albums- and heavier than you'll ever be!
Words by : Richard Maw
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