Review Summary: Crowbar and Kirk are one, an entity they've become, as a legend it shall live.
It is known know that Crowbar is not that groundbreaking anymore but still manage to put out a refreshing and mature album to the take. Kirk Windstein is Crowbar and vice-versa, it is his outer ego, reflecting throughout all releases Kirk's stages in life such as alcohol, failed marriage, happiness, sadness, etc. Symmetry in Black is his conformity,redempition and acceptance with all he's been through to where he's at now having found his own symmetry.
This album is mid-paced, heavy, dark, groovy, melodic and above all relentless. As on previous efforts riffs and drums act as a monolithic force. Buckley's (Soilent Green) delivered what Kirk desired, a steady, ongoing conscious blast. It is noticeable the freedom Kirk gave him to pump a bit, the double-bass was new to Crowbar until Buckley's appearance on Server the Wicked Hand. Newcomer for the bass, Jeff Golden, does a great job keeping those riffs fat and chubby as a 7 year old obese kid, but we still feel that the bass should a little bit more of a presence. As for Kirk, well, he never fails to deliver fresh riffs to the table. It is incredible how many variations with blues scales he can get out of his guitar, Robert Johson would be proud of the range of his influences. Brunson's duty is simple, keep track with Kirk.
Lyric-wise the album represents Kirk throwing away the nails for his coffin, same coffin he was really close during mid 2000's with years of alcohol abuse, relationship problems along with depression related problems. It seems that all of his harsh times have been washed with this album's lyrics specially on tracks such as Wealth of Empathy and Teach the Blind to See.
Album's production is top notch, all instruments are beautifully equalized, there's large room for guitar as they were on previous efforts, except for Lifesblood. Guitar is does not have a suficient depth and reach comparable to previous albums, wich can be a let down for sonic rats. Perhaps it's a way Kirk found to "democratize" Crowbar. Drums are heavily triggered since Server the Wicked Hand, that must be some of Buckley's negative influences on Crowbar. Crowbar's drums were always raw, crude and vivid. They used to shine on a record, hence Sonic Excess in its Purest Form and Odd Fellows Rest.
Being all that said, this album can be highly regarded as a new beggining for Kirk and his new crew, a page turner in Crowbar's long history. A versatile lineup mixing veterans and newcomers injeting new blood to Crowbar. A very consistent album with Crowbar's old recipe for sucess, inventive without losing its majesty. That's Crowbar, that's Kirk.
