Sonic Excess in Its Purest Form is the seventh studio album by American sludge metal band Crowbar. It was released on August 21, 2001.[1] It is the last album to feature guitarist Sammy Duet, and the first and only album to feature bassist Jeff Okoneski and ex-Machine Head drummer Tony Costanza.
Songs such as "The Lasting Dose" and "To Build a Mountain" have become mandatory staples on Crowbar's live setlists.[2]
The front cover is of St. Anthony's Garden behind St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [3] |
| Sputnikmusic |  [4] |
| BW&BK |   [5] |
Sonic Excess in Its Purest Form has received critical acclaim. Robert Davis of Sputnikmusic gave the album a 4.5 out of 5 stars, noting "instrumentally the band has never sounded fresher or more alive" and "each and every song on 'Sonic excess…' is charged with more melancholy and beautiful solemnity than ever before".[4] Pete Pardo of Sea of Tranquility gave the album 5 out of 5 stars, saying "this album shows that simply Crowbar are masters of what they do...one of the finest releases within its genre."[6] German website metal.de named it the best metal album of 2001.[7]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "The Lasting Dose" | 4:12 |
| 2. | "To Build a Mountain" | 3:58 |
| 3. | "Thru the Ashes (I've Watched You Burn)" | 4:43 |
| 4. | "Awakening" | 3:36 |
| 5. | "Repulsive in Its Splendid Beauty" | 3:58 |
| 6. | "Counting Daze" | 3:54 |
| 7. | "In Times of Sorrow" (instrumental) | 2:38 |
| 8. | "It Pours from Me" | 5:05 |
| 9. | "Suffering Brings Wisdom" | 5:27 |
| 10. | "Failure to Delay Gratification" | 3:07 |
| 11. | "Empty Room" | 4:52 |
| Total length: | 45:31 | |
Personnel
- Kirk Windstein – vocals, rhythm guitar
- Sammy Pierre Duet – lead guitar
- Jeff "Okie" Okoneski – bass
- Tony Costanza – drums
References
- ^ "Sonic Excess in Its Purest Form - Crowbar | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic.
- ^ "Crowbar Tour Statistics | setlist.fm". setlist.fm.
- ^ Anderson, Jason. "Crowbar - Sonic Excess in Its Purest Form". AllMusic.
- ^ a b "Crowbar - Sonic Excess in Its Purest Form (album review 2) | Sputnikmusic". sputnikmusic.com. April 13, 2013.
- ^ Perri, David (September 18, 2001). "CROWBAR - Sonic Excess in Its Purest Form". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
- ^ "Review: "Crowbar: Sonic Excess In Its Purest Form" - Sea of Tranquility - The Web Destination for Progressive Music!". seaoftranquility.org.
- ^ "Crowbar - Sonic Excess In Its Purest Form Review • metal.de". metal.de (in German). September 25, 2001.
