Crowbar

Crowbar was never afraid to share their pain, and Time Heals Nothing exemplifies the New Orleans doom purveyor's well-practiced aching out loud. The final recording before a series of lineup changes and side projects tested the band's focus, this disc might qualify as the sludge rocker's most punishing collection. Songs like "Through a Wall of Tears" typify the depressing, densely textured morass that the group's small but loyal following spent almost a decade wallowing in. Time Heals Nothing's ten tracks could possibly sound non-distinct to new listeners. Patient fans, however, are rewarded by Crowbar's uniquely catchy tunes after repeated listening. The interesting melodies that emerge from singer/guitarists Kirk Windstein's damaged vocal chords are surprisingly hummable. Pulling double-duty, Windstein (along with co-guitarist Matt Thomas) crafts the thickest of sludge-guitar grooves that nicely complement the vocals and Craig Nunemacher's solid drumming. Bitter howling and the thickest of slow-metal riffing combine to make this 1995 Zoo release as powerful as any of the band's attempts at sour self-evisceration. [This edition contains bonus tracks.] ~ Vincent Jeffries, All Music Guide