Crowbar, an influential sludge metal band formed in New Orleans in 1990, has been a pioneering force in heavy music. Fronted by vocalist and guitarist Kirk Windstein, Crowbar has carved out a unique niche by blending slow, brooding doom metal with the raw aggression of hardcore punk. Despite Windstein’s ambivalence towards the term “sludge metal,” the band’s distinctive sound has significantly shaped the genre, alongside other New Orleans heavyweights like Eyehategod and Acid Bath.
Crowbar’s history is marked by its evolution and occasional lineup changes. Initially, Windstein considered joining Exhorder but ultimately chose to reform Crowbar with Craig Nunenmacher on drums. Nunenmacher was later replaced by Tommy Buckley, and the band solidified its lineup with Matt Brunson on guitar and Shane Wesley on bass. The name “Crowbar,” adopted in 1991 to avoid confusion with another band, was borrowed from one of Windstein’s side projects, symbolizing the band’s heavy, uncompromising sound.
Musically, Crowbar is known for its powerful reinterpretations of classic tracks, offering a heavy spin on songs like Gary Wright’s “Dream Weaver” and Led Zeppelin’s “No Quarter.” This ability to infuse their unique style into covers showcases their versatility and reverence for metal history.
The band’s dedication to live performance has seen them support major acts such as Overkill, Hatebreed, and Killswitch Engage. In 2022, Crowbar released their twelfth studio album, “Zero and Below,” their first in six years. The album was followed by a successful tour across North America and Europe with Sepultura and Sacred Reich, reaffirming Crowbar’s enduring impact on the metal scene.
