CROWBAR – Brisbane, Australia 5th December 2019
In the ultimate example of synchronicity, New Orleans sludge masters Crowbar are performing in their Brisbane namesake, a venue rightly titled as it has been something of a temple for like minded bands ever since it opened.
There’s a couple of support bands to get through first, though, and fortunately neither of them have me looking at my watch waiting for the headliner to appear. On the contrary, they establish a high level of quality that is maintained throughout the night, before Crowbar completely hammer an already amped-up crowd.
Local duo Chassm start the evening and make a mighty impressive racket for two blokes. Storm Mahan and Elijah Lee previously paid their dues in Mammoth, before becoming the gonzo metal act we hear tonight. A blend of harsh and clean vocals appear early in the set, but for the most part, their music is an instrumental, serrated combination of drums and guitar. There are some slow, chugging riffs which allow the pair to fit in with the sludge metal theme that dominates tonight. However, there are also echoes of both black and post-metal in these shape-shifting tunes which start the evening with thundering drama.
More locals are next, namely The Black Swamp who are perfect choices to open for Crowbar. There are even a couple of Southern rock riffs thrown in (fair enough, they’re from SOUTH East Queensland after all!) amidst the familiar sludgy flavours. Familiar their sludge metal approach may be, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t damn good.
The band more than rises to the occasion, delivering crushing riffs that range from complex (but still catchy) to straight-out blocks of crunching chords. Vocalist Luke Hosking is a good ringmaster for the performance, combining energy with a feral yet melodic holler that is the perfect complement to the churning guitars and crunching rhythms.
Finally, it’s the star attractions of the evening, the celebrated New Orleans sludge metal of Crowbar. Starting with an explosive version of Conquering, the swelling crowd eventually can’t take any more and by the third song, a mosh pit kicks off which doesn’t let up until the set ends. Vocalist/guitarist Kirk Windstein is every bit the elder statesman of Southern metal, unleashing riffs so huge, they almost feel like physical presences.
His voice has aged, but in a good way – there’s a raspiness that humanises his bellowing growl, and the songs are revisited with the conviction of a band 20 years younger. Windstein’s between song banter is Southern-fried and motivational, calling for the crowd to roar with excitement before the next tune kicks off.
The set is a fantastic overview of a band that practically defines the genre of sludge metal, and one of the most no-frills practitioners of this sound as well. This isn’t Sleep, so we’re not in for extended bong-haze jams, just straight-to-the-gut fuzz-drenched riffs that lodge in the heart and brain for days afterwards.
Reviewer: Matt Thrower
Photographer: Bruno Cechella @brunocechella
