TRACK PREMIERE: Atlanta, GA’s Crawl are back and deal us some black market “Pornography of Grief”

They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, however in the case of today’s featured artist, Atlanta, GA’s Crawl, absence appears to have made their heart grow darker.  Indeed, after lurking in the shadows for two years, Crawl are finally edging towards the release of their brand new  7" release "30 Year Suicide" on Bad Road Records.

According to the band, this material continues where “Old Wood and Broken Dreams” left off, exploring the dark realms of anxiety and mental breakdowns, taking the listener to a dark and bleak place.

Whilst on previous material vocalist/guitarist Eric Crowe may have sounded like a man who smokes fifty filterless Marlboro’s a day in between bottles of Jim Beam as he croaked over solid  southern riffs, on “30 Year Suicide” Crawl can draw comparisons to Denver’s Primitive Man, their new release is a dense earth moving release, that moves at a lethargic pace across the sonic wasteland. A fusion of gigantic, monstrous riffs and spiteful blood curdling vocals, this record is horrible, it’s horrendously dark but in the most remarkable way.

Crawl has produced amplifier-destroying sonic psychosis that is intent on disintegrating your senses, leaving the listener completely exhausting and I love it.  Added to that the incredible artwork by Eric Harrison, “30 Year Suicide” is a release you won’t want to miss.  Today it gives us great pleasure to debut the opening track of this release, so get ready, this song is made of granite,  Check out “Pornograhy of Grief” and make sure you preorder a copy here

Band info: bandcamp || facebook

“11 is one louder”: Crawl guitarist Eric Crowe picks his top 5 sludge albums

Atlanta, Georgia's Crawl play glorious molten Southern swamp metal and while it doesn't break new ground (it's not fucking supposed to!), it's sure to drive people to break open a beer and smile gleamingly and nod in approval.  Music at times doesn't need to be complex or challenging to be brilliant, Crawl produce barbecue music for bloodshot eyed slackers, music to blare out the speakers of your pickup truck on your way to buy more beer.

The world needs music like there’s, so we’re stoked that Eric Crowe, guitarist/vocalist with Crawl  agreed to share his thoughts on his Top 5 sludge album, in this weeks edition of “11 is one Louder”, where bands choose their favourite albums from the genre of music their know for.

Check out Eric’s selection below.

Neurosis - “Through Silver in Blood” (1996)

Above and beyond any release, there is and will always be this. At first, I could not get into this album at all. I was totally missing the point and fullness it had. One day a dear friend of mine suggested that I listen to it when I am in a funk, but I have to listen from beginning to end without stop. So I did, and everything clicked and became a necessity and like a drug. I didn’t see them till like 2000 for the “Times of Grace” tours, but they had me hooked to my very core and experienced that “religious experience” a lot of people talk about when seeing them. The darkness and the primal, the sheer power and cold distance of this album completely changed the way I thought about music, changed the way I created music, especially for Crawl. I couldn’t look or listen to music in the same way I did before. A new level was reached; I neither would nor could ever go back again. Still a heavy influence musically, band aesthetics and vision.

Grief - “Come to Grief” (1994)

“Come to Grief” was another album that was hard to listen to at first, mainly cause my focus of music at the time was Grindcore and Harsh Noise. When I first listened to it, I was literally cracking up because it was so ridiculously slow. But once the giggling stopped, this album became one that carried me through some dark times. The riffs, the power of absolute sludge compelled me. From beginning to end, this is still one of my all time favorite albums from Grief. I love almost all of their discography, but this one will always reign supreme and still has a huge impact on my life and writing.

Buzzov*en - “Sore” (1994)

When it comes to all time favorites within the genre for Crawl, “Sore” has absolutely played a heavy role in the music and mentality. The complete abrasiveness, attitude, drive and filth that this album covers, it changes people. The samples and discomfort only added to the appeal. It’s Kirks guitar and off sounding solo work (that actually really work and add to the albums dissonance) that still influences me on our more “Southern Sludge” songs.

Melvins - “The Maggot” (1999)

With so many of their albums being a great influence, it’s really hard to pick one, but “The Maggot” is definitely one that I fall back on. “Bullhead”, “Lysol” and “Houdini” are all a close second. It’s the heaviness and trancelike state of “See How Pretty, See How Smart” that make me want to be motivated and quit, all at the same time. With a long history and a prolific nature, are added reasons why they mean and continue to influence me.

Leechmilk - “Discography” (2000 – 2001)

Though defunct for many years and having a recent re-release of “Starvation of Locust” on Divine Mother Recordings, Leechmilk has continued to be both, a constant go-to and influence. I cannot deny the power and aggression in any of their albums. I had the honor to play with these guys many, many times in the late 90s and haven’t stopped listening since. They brought a much needed element to the Atlanta scene in those days and have even continued to gain ground even on international bases. Angry, sludgy riffs with heavy crusty punk attitude; volatile vocals that still resonate through the offerings of Sons of Tonatiuh. I’ll always be a fan-boy for this band, and Dan knows it and laughs at me, but whatever.

You can stream and buy Crawl’s music here

Band info:  bandcamp || facebook

Crawl - “Old Wood and Broken Dreams” (Album Review)

By: Chris Bull

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 18/10/2015

Label: Stone Groove Records

Music like this doesn't need to be complex or challenging to be brilliant, its barbecue music for bloodshot eyed slackers, music to blare out the speakers of your pickup truck on your way to buy more beer. The world needs music like this, thank your chosen deity that Crawl are more than happy to oblige.

“Old Wood and Broken Dreams” CD//DD track listing:

1). Crack Tea

2). Don’t Kid Me

3). Pilldust

4). Useless

5). Nigredo

6). 3AM and a Loaded Gun

Crawl is:

Tyler Akers | Lowend Assault
Tommy Butler | Barbaric Blasts
Eric Crowe | Guitar and Vocals 

The Review:

Atlanta, Georgia's Crawl bring us this glorious chunk of Southern swamp metal on 'Old Wood and Broken Dreams' and while it doesn't break new ground (it's not fucking supposed to!), it's sure to drive people to break open a beer and smile gleamingly and nod in approval.

Stone Groove Records have handled the CD release here and have obviously been hard at work ensuring the packaging is immaculately presented to give the listener the whole experience.

'Crack Tea', the first of 2 instrumental tracks here, belches out some quality groovy sludge before 'Don't Kid Me' swaggers through in all its whiskey swilling goodness. Vocalist/guitarist Eric Crowe sounds like a man who smokes fifty filterless Marlboro’s a day in between bottles of Jim Beam as he croaks over some solid riffs on 'Useless' and screams incessantly over the noisy sludge that is '3AM And A Loaded Gun' as well as cranking out some sublime instrumental goodness as he does on 'Pilldust'. A personal highlight is 'Nigredo' where the rhythm section of drummer Tommy Butler and bassist Tyler Akers keep it inhumanly tight while Crowe riffs and bellows for the first half of the track before going all clean and sounding a lot like Scott Kelly on his earlier solo work.

Music like this doesn't need to be complex or challenging to be brilliant, its barbecue music for bloodshot eyed slackers, music to blare out the speakers of your pickup truck on your way to buy more beer. The world needs music like this, thank your chosen deity that Crawl are more than happy to oblige.

“Old Wood and Broken Dreams” is available here

FFO: Alabama Thunderpussy, Bongzilla, Artimus Pyledriver, Eyehategod

Band info: bandcamp | facebook

CRAWL - Old Wood and Broken Dreams (Album Review)

Album Type: Album

Date Released: TBA

Label: Stone Groove Records

Old Wood and Broken Dreams – track listing:

Crack Tea

Don't Kill Me (w/ guest vocals from Chris Fane of IRON WITCH)

Pilldust

Useless (Buzzoven Cover)

Nigredo

3 A.M. And A Loaded Gun

Bio

Crawl began Spring 2012 with a core trio of which have been past members of FULCI, Social Infestation, Molehill, Hog Mountin & Sons of God! Their initial rumblings comprised of immense detuned riffing and sociopathic chants alongside bulldozing sub frequencies and Neanderthal tar-pit beats, bringing together the drunken groove of classic southern rock and prime Sabbathian riffage with the bowel churning devastation of contemporary Doom Metal and sludge rock. Crawl swings a heavy hammer as they deliver crushing Deep South destructo-sludge.

2012 - Crawl began in April with the exchanging of ideas between Eric Crowe, Tommy Butler and John Holloway; slowly getting schedules together to begin writing. By July writing was in full swing but still having major delays. Our search began for a new bassist and in that time decided to go ahead and record the "Crawl" demo with the help of our friend Brad Claborn recording us and filling in bass duties for the demo. Just after this, enter Tyler Akers in September. We released our demo, then in December released the CD split with Black Tar Prophet as well as playing out.

Members

Butler - Barbaric Blasts

PLowe - Low-end assault

Crowe - Guitar / Throat

Review:

I have been a fan of CRAWL for quite a while now as they do something different with their style of music. CRAWL mix Southern Metal with elements of Doom, Sludge, Stoner and Drone for one heavy as fuck experience. They have released a demo, an EP and split EP with Black Tar Prophet over the years, but it's now time for CRAWL to announce their arrival to the world with their debut album. Old Wood and Broken Dreams is a stunning and heavy as hell experience that will have you begging for more.

Old Wood and Broken Dreams is one of those debut albums that doesn't come around often. Mainly an album that you know is something special from the very first listen. It's a spellbinding and almost violent experience packed full of dark moments that will beat you into submission. So lets get down to business with Old Wood and Broken Dreams. Opening Track – Crack Tea – is a 1:36 minute instrumental track that perfectly sets the mood for the album. Drone based Sludge/Doom/Stoner Metal riffs played at a slow pace that allows the music to breathe and expand with each passing moment.

Second track – Don't Kid Me – starts with a haunting guitar solo with a creepy soundbyte setting the scene for CRAWL to unleash their nightmarish riffs onto an unsuspecting audience. The vocals is the perfect foil to the drone based riffs that CRAWL have in store for you. KUDOS to CRAWL for getting Chris Fane from UK Sludge Metallers – Iron Witch to appear on this track. It's a loud and pulsating experience that I find very hard to describe as CRAWL don't stick to one particular sound. They blend elements of Sludge, Stoner and Doom with a loud emphasis on Drone being the main driving force. It's a more distorted and dangerous version of WO-FAT.

The next track is where CRAWL actually show you realm of Sludge/Doom/Stoner Metal with the albums standout track – Pilldust – an instrumental track that feels like an out-of-body experience as CRAWL take you to places you can only imagine. Drone distorted Sludge/Stoner/Doom riffs are the main order of business once again. CRAWL include a few quiet ambient based moments for you to catch your breath before the band unleash the heavy thunderous riffs you can't help but fully lose yourself in.

CRAWL pay homage to one of their musical heroes – BUZZOVEN – on the next track with their excellent cover of BUZZOVEN classic – Useless. It doesn't stray to far from the original but it's still great to hear a classic track such as this giving a more modern makeover. Crowe's vocals are on fire here. You can feel the pain and intensity in his vocals. That's the way it should be if you're gonna cover a brutal track such as this.

CRAWL unleash another epic track to punish your senses with. Nigredo is the 12 minute plus track which sees the band at their most creative and edgiest as they play their way through a song that puts you through a pummelling survival program. Trust me. This track is EPIC in every sense of the word. The dangerous and heavy as fuck riffs give CRAWL's debut album an unsettling edge where you need your wits about you. The heavy pounding riffs and bleak vocals all adds up for one thrilling dark ride.

Last but by no means least is – 3 A.M. And A Loaded Gun – is the most sinister track on the album as it opens up with a frightening soundbyte with creepy ambient noises creating a deeply unflinching atmosphere. The song becomes more frightening as time goes by. CRAWL stay brutal as hell until the very end. When this track finishes you have been put through a gruelling exercise in noise and terror.

Old Wood and Broken Dreams is an album that will pulverize some listeners. It's a complex, brutal, scary and heavy as hell album that I can't wait to experience again. Its an incredible album on every level. End Of.

Thanks to the band for sending me a promo to review. Old Wood and Broken Dreams will be available to buy soon.

Check The Band Form Links below

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Written by Steve Howe