Live Review: Crowbar - The Asylum, Birmingham
3rd March 2024
Support: Voidlurker, Inhuman Nature
Words: Cat Finch
Photos: Tim Finch
On a crisp Birmingham evening, the city's metalheads descended upon The Asylum Venue for a night of bone-crushing riffs and ear-shattering intensity. Put on by those wonderful people at Surprise You’re Dead, the lineup featured both local talent of Voidlurker, London’s Inhuman Nature and New orlleans sludge lords Crowbar!
Kicking off the night were hometown heroes Voidlurker, a sludge crew whose reputation precedes them in the local scene. Their performance was nothing short of crushing. With a sound that reverberated through the venue like a sonic earthquake. Voidlurker set the tone for the evening with their powerhouse performance, highlighted by the crowd-pleasing anthem 'Jeffrey Doomer'.
Next up were London-based thrash/crossover act Inhuman Nature, who wasted no time in unleashing a barrage of relentless aggression upon the eager audience. Their blistering performance left an indelible mark, showcasing their technical prowess and unbridled energy. A band who have crossed The Razor’s Edge path many times now, the world is their oyster and these thrashers are going places!
However, it was the arrival of New Orleans-based sludge kings Crowbar that truly ignited the fervour of the crowd. Taking the stage with an imposing presence, the band proceeded to deliver a masterclass in sonic devastation, leaving no head unturned and no neck unstrained. Their setlist read like a greatest hits compilation, featuring classics such as 'Burn Your World,' 'The Lasting Dose,' and 'Planets Collide,' each song a displaying the band's unwavering commitment to true heaviness.
From the crushing weight of 'Chemical Godz' to the haunting melodies of 'The Cemetery Angels,' Crowbar commanded the stage with a confidence and intensity befitting their legendary status. Frontman Kirk Windstein's gravelly vocals cut through the dense wall of sound like a chainsaw through flesh, while the band's thunderous rhythm section laid waste to everything in its path.
As the night drew to a close with the triumphant trio of ‘Like Broken Glass’, ‘All I Have (I Gave)’ and 'Conquering,' it was clear that Birmingham been shaken to the ground this evening. Long live the kings of sludge, and may their reign continue unabated.
Photo credits: Tim Finch Photography
