Our top 10 Crowbar songs list looks at the catalog of a ground-breaking New Orleans-based band renowned for its sludge metal influence. A major portion of the band’s sound was fueled by the powerful rhythm guitarist and vocalist Kirk Windstein. At the time Crowbar came to be, New Orleans was popularly known by metal fans as a regional scene of the doom metal sound. Exhorder, established in 1985, is one of the notable doom metal acts from New Orleans.
However, New Orleans’ usual doom metal scene was about to experience an evolution in the early ‘90s. This was after several bands released music that was an amalgam of doom metal and hardcore punk sonic elements. The result was the birth of the sludge metal sound. Crowbar, Acid Bath, Corrupted, Grief, Buzzoven, The Melvins, and Eyehategod are some of the pioneering acts of the sludge metal sound in New Orleans.
Crowbar’s Career Beginnings and Breakthrough
After several trials to establish a band, Kirk Windstein led three other members in forming Crowbar. The three other members included drummer Jimmy Bower, lead guitarist Kevin Noonan, and bassist Todd Strange. Almost a year later, the band released its debut LP, Obedience thru Suffering, through Grind Core. The 1991 album catapulted the band neither to commercial nor mainstream success.
However, songs like “Subversion” brought some attention to the band, guiding it to sign a recording contract with Pavement Music. Before releasing its sophomore LP, the band welcomed drummer Craig Nunenmacher (later a member of Black Label Society) to its lineup after the departure of Jimmy Bower. In October 1993, the band released its sophomore LP, Crowbar. The band’s eponymous sophomore LP was a success having it feature internationally recognized singles including “Existence Is Punishment” and “All I Had (I Gave).”
Crowbar was produced by Phil Anselmo, former lead singer of the bands Pantera, Down, and Superjoint. Phil was also a childhood buddy to Crowbar’s rhythm guitarist and vocalist Kirk Windstein. The album sold over a hundred thousand copies catapulting the band to commercial and mainstream success.
Crowbar’s Album Releases over the Years
After the success of the band’s eponymous sophomore LP, Crowbar released its third studio album Time Heals Nothing in 1995. This ten-track sludge metal album was not as popular as the band’s sophomore LP. However, the album still managed to feature some outstanding releases including “Through a Wall of Tears” and “Lack of Tolerance.”
Crowbar would later issue its fourth LP, Broken Glass, in 1996. Broken Glass marked the band’s final studio album released through Pavement Music. The album featured additional vocals from the band’s former producer and friend Phil Anselmo. Broken Glass is home to ten tracks by Crowbar, among them, “Conquering” and “Little Broken Glass.” The album saw the band reunite with its founding drummer Jimmy Bower.
Following its breakaway from Pavement Music, Crowbar signed a recording contract with Mayhem Records. The recording contract was crowned with the release of the band’s fifth studio album, Odd Fellows Rest. Odd Fellows Rest is one of the highly invested-in albums by the band featuring three more musicians. Big Mike The Testices was featured as an additional backing vocalist while Sid Montz was tagged in for additional percussions. Ross Karpelman makes the third additional musician on the album, thanks to his impactful skills on the piano, organ, and keyboards.
Odd Fellows Rest also saw the band use the services of lead guitarist and backing vocalist Sammy Pierre Duet following the departure of Matt Thomas. The twelve-track album is home to some of the best Crowbar songs including “Planets Collide,” “New Man Born,” “Odd Fellows Rest,” and “To Carry the Load.”
The band would later release its sixth studio album, Equilibrium, in 2000. Equilibrium marked Crowbar’s last album with its original bassist Todd Strange until he returned to the band’s lineup in 2016. The album featured twelve tracks, two of which were covers of songs by Gary Wright and Iron Butterfly. Equilibrium marked the band’s first studio album released through Spitfire Records.
Crowbar returned in 2001 with its seventh LP, Sonic Excess in Its Purest Form. The album featured former Machine Head drummer Tony Costanza and bassist Jeff Okoneski. Sonic Excess in Its Purest Form also marked the last album released by the band with guitarist Sammy Duet. Some of the concert staples from Sonic Excess in Its Purest Form include “The Lasting Dose” and “To Build a Mountain.”
In 2005, the band released its eighth studio album, Lifesblood for the Downtrodden. The album was the band’s first album released through Candlelight Records. Lifesblood for the Downtrodden was dedicated to the memory of former Pantera and Damageplan guitarist Dimebag Darrell. The eleven-track album is home to some of the best Crowbar songs “Coming Down” and “New Dawn.”
Crowbar later issued its ninth studio album Sever the Wicked Hand in 2011. The album was issued through eOne Music and produced by the band’s vocalist Kirk Windstein. Unfortunately, the album failed to receive critical acclaim like most of the band’s releases. Three years after the release of Sever the Wicked Hand, Crowbar returned with its tenth LP, Symmetry in Black in 2014. Symmetry in Black is the only release to feature bassist Jeff Golden who went on to get fired in 2016. “Walk with Knowledge Wisely” is one of the biggest hits by Crowbar from the album.
The Serpent Only Lies, issued in 2016 marked the band’s eleventh LP. On this album, Kirk Windstein played the bass following the sacking of Jeff Golden. Kirk also did the production work for the album alongside Duane Simoneaux. Two months ago, released its most recent album, Zero, and Below. The album is home to some of the best Crowbar songs, including “Chemical Godz” and “Bleeding From Every Hole.”
Crowbar’s Other Musical Pursuits and Legacy
Other than Crowbar, Kirk Windstein helped start the heavy metal supergroup Down. Down’s lineup features former members of Pantera, Crowbar, Eyehategod, Goatwhore, and Corrosion of Conformity. Kirk Windstein later teamed up with Jamey Jasta of Hatebreed to form the heavy metal band Kingdom of Sorrow. For over thirty years now, Crowbar has been at the forefront of sludge metal and the heavy metal scene in general. Here we present the best Crowbar songs from its stack of impressive sludge metal records.
#10 – Bleeding from Every Hole
Opening our top 10 Crowbar songs list is the alluring hit “Bleeding from Every Home.” The song is among the latest release by the band from its 2022 studio album, Zero and Below. Crowbar’s vocalist and rhythm guitarist Kirk Windstein revealed that “Bleeding from Every Hole” showcases metaphorically the dark times many people go through.
The singer quoted that the dark moments can’t be any worse than “Bleeding from Every Hole.” One of the reasons the song really impacted Crowbar’s fans is its timing. The song came at the post-pandemic days when many were still experiencing the ripple effect of the Covid-19 pandemic. Its emotional expressions and crushing heaviness also add to the song’s greatness.
#9 – Odd Fellows Rest
“Odds Fellows Rest” is one of Crowbar’s landmark musical efforts in 1998. The song serves as the album title track to the band’s fifth studio album. Like most of the songs on the album, “Odd Fellows Rest” is one of the most memorable down-tuned melancholic releases. Despite its dark and slow vibe, the song features memorable heavy and melodic riffs. Both the song’s tune and title (named after a cemetery in New Orleans) make “Odd Fellows Rest” sound like a despair-filled dirge.
#8 – Through a Wall of Tears
The eighth spot on our top 10 Crowbar songs list goes to the ravishing hit “Through a Wall of Tears.” “Through a Wall of Tears” is one of the biggest hits from the band’s third studio album, Time Heals Nothing. The song comes after the band achieved success with its sophomore album. However, this is not the main reason that we feature it among the ten best Crowbar songs.
It is the bombardment of well-executed sludge metal sonic influences that make “Through a Wall of Tears” stand out from most of the hits on Time Heals Nothing. The song uses cleaner vocals by Kirk Windstein but maintains the band’s usual heavy sound. Among the standout performances on this hit is Nunenmacher’s moving drum rhythms.
#7 – To Build a Mountain
Sonic Excess in Its Purest Form, Crowbar’s seventh LP, saw the band charge up its heavy sound. This was achieved by adding more melancholy and sombreness throughout the album, but most specifically in songs like “To Build a Mountain.” Frontman and vocalist Kirk Crowbar adds to the song’s heaviness with his groans.
While the song starts with heavy riffs, its ending feels a bit tender thanks to its melodic harmony guitar parts by Kirk and Sammy Duet. “To Build a Mountain” is among the concert staples by Crowbar as necessitated by its energy-filled guitar riffs and heaviness.
#6 – All I Had (I Gave)
Number six on our top 10 Crowbar songs is the energetic hit “All I Had (I Gave).” The song is featured on the band’s 1993 eponymous sophomore album. “All I Had (I Gave)” kicks off with a hurtling thrash beat but soon after inclines to the Crowbar’s signature sludge metal sound. The song is among the rich classics that paved way for the band’s intense sludge metal sound.
“All I Had (I Gave)” oozes fury from both Kirk’s vocals and its instrumentation. Its upbeat punky feel adds to its catchiness and is probably one of the reasons the song received some airplay. “All I Had (I Gave)” received critical acclaim and international status after it was played severally on MTV. Hatebreed released a rendition of “All I Had (I Gave)” on its 2009 cover LP, For the Lions.
#5 – Little Broken Glass
After picking up momentum from its eponymous sophomore LP, Crowbar released a groundbreaking album Time Heals Nothing. Would Broken Glass continue the rising impact of Crowbar’s releases? This remains a disputed question by critics but one thing we can be sure about is the alluring sludge metal vibes replicated in recordings like the magnificent hit “Little Broken Glass.”
The song serves as the album title track to the band’s 1996 fourth studio album. Like most of the songs from the album, “Little Broken Glass” features raw emotions and power as depicted by Kirk’s vocals and its heavy instrumentation. The song’s awe-inspiring thunderous guitar riffs add to the song’s overall magnificence.
#4- The Lasting Dose
With just a few album releases, Crowbar had become one of the most dependable doom metal/sludge metal acts. Before its music became a cliché, the band released reinvigorating record, Sonic Excess in Its Purest Form. Sonic Excess in Its Purest Form is home to our number four pick for the best Crowbar songs, “The Lasting Dose.”
Filled with melancholy, the song serves as the opening cut to the sonically bolstered record Sonic Excess in Its Purest Form. Its alluring grooves serve as a green light to the album’s groundbreaking sonic upgrade. The song has been covered by the Louisiana-based sludge metal band Thou.
#3- Existence is Punishment
Our number three pick on the ten best Crowbar songs is the charming hit “Existence is Punishment.” The song is featured on the band’s genre-defining eponymous album. “Existence is Punishment” finds Kirk spitting hard some agonizing lyrics, with his vocals supplemented by the song’s hardcore riffs.
The song is among Crowbar’s that got massive airplay on MTV in 1993. “Existence is Punishment” is featured on the adult animated TV series Beavis and Butt-Head.
#2 – Walk with Knowledge Wisely
After the release of Sonic Excess in Its Purest Form, Crowbar struggled a bit to release a bigger recording than the album. However, the band issued an outstanding hit “Walk with Knowledge Wisely” in 2014. The song brought Crowbar back to glory in the sludge metal scene.
“Walk with Knowledge Wisely” serves as the lead track to the band’s tenth studio album, Symmetry in Black. The band’s vocalist Kirk Windstein revealed that the song possesses every element that makes up Crowbar’s signature sound. Heavy riffs and melodic feel on the solos on this release are its major selling point.
#1 – Planets Collide
Number one of our top 10 Crowbar songs is the band’s most popular hit “Planets Collide.” The song is featured on the band’s album, Odd Fellows Rest. Like most of the songs from the album, “Planets Collide” is packed with melancholic melodies. Kirk’s emotive yet haunting vocal delivery and performance stand out in this song.
However, the ultimate greatness of the song is manifested by the unsurpassed riffs packed in the song. Kirk’s rhythm guitar riffs provide “Planet Collide” with its unforgettable crushing melody. Amazing is an understatement in describing the song’s smashing outro riffs.
Feature Photo: Stefan Bollmann, Attribution, via Wikimedia Commons
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![Rob De Luca of Spread Eagle, Sebastian Bach & UFO: 10 Albums That Changed My Life From humble East Coast origins to grandest stages worldwide, veteran bassist Rob De Luca has seen and done it all. De Luca first hit the local Boston rock and metal scene in the late 80s after meeting guitarist Paul DiBartolo, bonding over Van Halen before forming Bang. Regional success came quickly, but eventually, the members of Bang went their separate ways, with De Luca and drummer Tommi Gallo heading to NYC and hooking up with Ray West and, later, DiBartolo to form Spread Eagle. By 1990, Spread Eagle was on the fast track, with a contract through MCA Records and a self-titled debut album poised to crush skulls. But poor timing and MCA's sad indifference left Spead Eagle out in the cold despite being a hard-boiled answer to Guns N' Roses's West Coast sleaze. Spread Eagle's first chapter came to an end in '95. As for Rob De Luca, his nimble fingers and gift for melody and songwriting kept him moving forward. Soon, he found a gig with former Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach and the legendary outfit UFO. And in 2010, after coupling up with Ray West and his cousin Rik De Luca, Spread Eagle retook flight. During a break from Spread Eagle's increasingly busy touring schedule, Rob De Luca dialed in with ClassicRockHistory.com to run through the ten albums that changed his life. But only after adding, "I made a playlist of these songs, including some I've written or co-written. Do you hear any of these albums' influence on me?" Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3LWJuhDrE8JmzhsmTeIDUq 10) Gentlemen by Afghan Whigs (1993) Here's an entry that was so important to me. This may be the darkest break-up album of all time. Greg Dulli has been in many projects, but I feel Gentlemen is his zenith. Somewhat undefinable at times but always profound and honest. Listen to "Gentlemen," "Fountain and Fairfax," and "What Jail Is Like." 9) In on the Kill Taker by Fugazi (1993) By this time, I had been sucked in and spit out by the major-label record industry. Glam came and went; grunge was history, too. I was searching for new sounds. When I heard Fugazi's twin guitar approach, I knew this was what was missing. Fugazi may be considered a less polished sound than the albums above; however, once you "get it," it hits you like a ton of bricks, and there's no going back. From the moment I heard Fugazi, I went to every NYC show after. It's easily some of the best concerts of my life, and possibly my favorite bassist in Joe Lally. And their DIY ethics refused to charge us more than $5 a show! In on the Kill Taker is a powerful album demonstrated in songs such as "Smallpox Champion," "Great Cop," and "Public Witness Program." 8) Appetite for Destruction by Guns N' Roses (1987) I discovered many of these albums (sometimes long) after they were released. However, I was at the right place at the right time for this one. Steve Ostromogilsky had a Berklee College of Music lunch card and used to sneak out sandwiches for me. One day, he invited me to hang out at his place and listen to music. As we got off the train, he put Sony Walkman headphones on my ears and said, "Hey, check out this brand-new group." A song like "It's So Easy" was so different from the popular Sunset Strip sound at that time. Me and about 499 other informed rockers were lucky enough to see them on their first East Coast tour at the sold-out Paradise on Commonwealth Avenue, Boston (the same street Aerosmith started on). I saw Gn'R every tour after until I took a break when Buckethead joined. Gn'R is the band I've been lucky enough to see the most times live, almost 100! Everyone on this album is just stellar. Axl [Rose] had the tones, power, melodic sensibilities, and foresight to do what no other singer did then. Slash's playing was beyond memorable. Duff [McKagan] is one of the most underrated bassists in rock history, and learning his Appetite basslines is a masterclass. Steven [Adler] had the natural swing, and Izzy [Stradlin] was the secret weapon songwriter. Everything that's been heralded about this gem is deserved and true. Check out "It's So Easy," "Out Ta Get Me," and "Mr. Brownstone.' 7) Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd (1975) Another contender for my favorite album and band of all time. Using The Beatles machine (same recording studio, engineer, record label), Pink Floyd made what I feel is their strongest, most cohesive album (my second favorite of theirs would be Animals). This list mainly consists of bands with an instantly recognizable sound. Floyd is certainly no exception to that! This album included a solid handful of undeniable rock radio classics, bookended by two halves of the mind-blowing song "Shine on You Crazy Diamond.' That song was written about former band member and founder Syd Barrett. It would be hard to live in a world without this album. Check out "Welcome to The Machine," "Shine on You Crazy Diamond (parts 6-9),' or even better yet, listen to the whole thing in one sitting! 6) Decade by Neil Young (1977) About this time, I started playing guitar. As a beginner, it was comfortable jamming to this album because the chord changes were simple—a great "first ten years" retrospective of Neil's stunning, unique songwriting. Neil is a treasure who always writes from the heart and stands up for what's right. Check out "Southern Man," "A Man Needs a Maid," "Down by The River," and "After the Goldrush." 5) Highway to Hell by AC/DC (1979) When I heard this album, I was firmly "me." My life would be 100% focused on hard rock music forever. AC/DC are like air; they're ubiquitous. Everyone knows them and their incredible songs. However, as a young teen in Wilmington, Delaware, I only had WMMR 93.3 FM Philadelphia and a few friends to inform me about the world of Rock outside my bedroom. AC/DC had not gone mainstream, and their albums were available primarily in the USA as imports. To put things more in perspective, I only knew two people in the world who had heard of AC/DC. A friend had an import that we played in Steve Buckley's basement, which sounded ripping. When Highway to Hell was released, WMMR started spinning the title track, and I immediately bought the album, listening to it every single day after school. Then WMMR announced AC/DC was coming to the Spectrum in Philly, supporting Ted Nugent! I liked Ted but loved AC/DC, so my good friend Mick Cummins and I bought tickets, and he drove us up to the Spectrum (where we saw most of our concerts). Bon Scott was in fine form, and the band went over great. Although the crowd knew Ted better, Angus [Young] wouldn't let anyone upstage him. I'll never forget it! Unfortunately, Bon would be gone in 6 months. Check out "Walk All Over You," "Touch Too Much," "Shot Down in Flames," and "If You Want Blood (You Got It)." 4) Toys in the Attic by Aerosmith (1975) By the time I heard this, I was now in my teens. I had a childhood friend up the street, Jim Linberg (we're still good buddies). His older sister had a great album collection, including Toys in The Attic. Once I heard that groove, my taste changed. I lost interest in rock music that didn't have some sort of "swing" feel to it. I think Rocks is a slightly better Aerosmith album (and possibly my favorite album of all time), but both are perfect or very close. Check out "Uncle Salty," "Adam's Apple," "No More No More," "Round and Round," and "You See Me Crying." 3) Alive! by Kiss (1975) When I was still a little kid, I asked for Cheech and Chong's Up in Smoke album for Christmas. The entire family came over for an enormous feast, and I dropped the needle. When my mother heard the content, she turned off the album and said I had to exchange it. My mom was cool, but I was young and knew much more about life than she suspected. Anyway, the next day, she drove me back to the store. In the music section, promoted on an "endcap" was a Kiss Alive! display. I had never heard of Kiss, but that cover picture told me I had to have it! My first foray into hard rock. Check out “Strutter.” I went through my Kiss phase very quickly, I believe in a matter of months because I discovered the previous entry, Aerosmith's Toys in the Attic. 2) Honky Chateau by Elton John (1972) When I was a wee lad, my parents bought a used Volkswagen camper van from my uncle Ozzie. My favorite Elton John album is Yellow Brick Road, but Honky Chateau is great and easily one of his best. It sent me down a lifelong rabbit hole of loving everything about the 1970s partnership between Elton and lyricist Bernie Taupin. The simple beauty of voice, the master songwriting, the perfect backing band, the clear, unobtrusive recordings, and always Bernie's incredible lyrics. The day this album was released, Elton became an unstoppable force that conquered the music industry. Check out "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" and "Rocket Man." 1) Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles (1967) Another tape that was included in the VW Camper. The van had a bunch of music tapes, and one was Sgt Pepper. I was too young to understand the sophistication of the music, but that was one of the many skills of The Beatles. They attracted listeners at every level, even little kids. I still feel that immediate connection to Sgt Pepper; now, I hear so much more. It's an album that changed the world and the world of music. Check out "Lucy in The Sky with Diamonds," "A Day In The Life," and "Fixing a Hole."](http://www.classicrockhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Shutterstock_1815495569-1-300x200.jpg)
