Sonic Excess in Its Purest Form

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	link
Sputnikmusic	[1]

Sonic Excess in Its Purest Form is the seventh studio album by Crowbar, a New Orleans-based sludge metal band. It was released in 2001. 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.

Sonic Excess in Its Purest Form has been considered by most fans and critics to be one of Crowbar's best albums. 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".^[1] 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."^[2] German metal magazine De Metal named it the best metal album of 2001.^[3]

Songs such as "The Lasting Dose" and "To Build a Mountain" have become mandatory staples on Crowbar's live setlists.^[4]

Track listing

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" – 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

Personnel

• Kirk Windstein – vocals, rhythm guitar
• Sammy Pierre Duet – lead guitar
• Jeff "Okie" Okoneski – bass
• Tony Costanza – drums

References