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
You
can stream and buy Crawl’s music here
