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Sunday Old School: Sludge Metal Legends Crowbar

Band Photo: Crowbar (?)

Many cities across the world have become known for producing many great metal bands. Birmingham, New York, San Francisco are just a few, but one that frequently gets forgotten is New Orleans, Louisiana. New Orleans produced arguably the greatest bands in the sludge metal genre, and perhaps the greatest of these bands was Crowbar. Crowbar was formed from the ashes of hardcore outfit The Slugs, with the original lineup consisting of bass player Todd Strange, drummer Craig Nunenmacher, guitarist Kevin Nooger and frontman Kirk Windstein. They released their debut album, "Obediance Thru Suffering" in 1991 which was well received but failed to sell well. However, the band was helped tremedously by Pantera frontman Phil Anselmo when he produced their next album and gave the band a support slot on one of Pantera's national tours, as well as wearing a Crowbar shirt in the video for "I'm Broken."

Crowbar drummer Craig Nunenmacher decided to leave the band in 1996 and was replaced by Jimmy Bower of Eyehategod. This lineup released the albums "Broken Glass" and "Odd Fellows Rest" in 1996 and 1998 respectively, before the band briefly recruited drummer Sid Montz for the 2000 album, "Equilibrium." Montz was replaced soon after with original drummer Nunenmacher, though once again his tenure would be brief, as he left to join Black Label Society soon after. The band then went on a hiatus for a while as Windstein concentrated on working with Down, the band which also featured Pantera members Phil Anselmo and Rex Brown, along with Corrosion Of Conformity leader Pepper Keenan and long-time friend Jimmy Bower, before returning with a completely new lineup in 2004, which included Rex Brown and guitarist Steve Gibb, former guitarist of Black Label Society and son of Bee Gee, Barry Gibb. This incarnation of the band released the album, "Lifesblood For The Downtrodden" in 2005, though new members were recruited soon after in the form of bassist Patrick Bruders (of Goatwhore fame) and drummer Tommy Buckley (best known for his work in Soilent Green.)

The band has continued to tour since 2005 with the promise of a new album in the near future. Crowbar's continuity has been disrupted several times in recent years, owing largely to frontman Kirk Windstein being involved in Down, as well as Kingdom Of Sorrow, the band he founded with Hatebreed frontman Jamey Jasta in 2005. The band replaced guitarist Steve Gibb last year with Kingdom Of Sorrow guitarist Matthew Brunson and have since been touring steadily, most recently as special guests to Sepultura in Europe. Their influence on modern metal can be heard today, with many bands citing them as an influence and they remain one of the greatest acts to ever emerge from the legendary city of New Orleans... along with Fats Domino of course.

Crowbar - "All I Had (I Gave)"

Crowbar - "I Feel The Burning Sun"

Crowbar - "Existence Is Punishment"

Crowbar - "Odd Fellows Rest"

Ollie Hynes has been a writer for Metal Underground.com for four years and has been a metal fan for ten years, going so far as to travel abroad for metal shows.