On the afternoon we spoke (Friday, Nov. 12, in case anyone’s feeling precise), Crowbar guitarist, vocalist and driving-force Kirk Windstein turned in the final approved version of the artwork for his band’s first album in six years, Sever the Wicked Hand, which is due out Feb. 8, 2011. It’s their E1 Music debut, and as Windstein has seen his profile grow to new heights the past several years in bands like the supergroup Down and his Kingdom of Sorrow project with Jamey Jasta of Hatebreed, the planets look to be aligning for the most successful run Crowbar‘s had yet in their 20-plus years together.

With several months of sobriety under his belt and a cross-band support system of family and friends to back him, Windstein embarks optimistically on this new era in the band with whom he first made his name. In our discussion, he mentioned several times “leaving the negativity behind” as a theme present on Sever the Wicked Hand, and he seems to have done just that. For a guy with a reputation for such downtrodden tones and whose emotional and existential struggles have been documented lyrically across three different decades now, he seems awfully happy.

And who could begrudge him that? He’s certainly earned it, and if the leaked advance track on the album, “The Cemetery Angels” is any indicator, in addition to getting his personal life together, he hasn’t lost touch with what made Crowbar the pivotal sludge act they’ve always been. I’m sure there’s bound to be some of his trademark Crowbar ballads on Sever the Wicked Hand, but one listen to “The Cemetery Angels” and it’s clear Windstein hasn’t left out their special brand of heaviness. When he says “Bring it down!” two minutes and 20 seconds into the song (which you can hear in a YouTube clip at the bottom of the interview), he’s not just talking about tempo.

Sludge from the master thereof. Crowbar is rounded out by guitarist Matthew Brunson (a Kingdom of Sorrow bandmate), bassist Patrick Bruders and drummer Tommy Buckley, but as ever, Windstein‘s guiding the chaos. In the course of our conversation, he discussed returning to Crowbar after working for the last several years exclusively on Down and Kingdom of Sorrow, getting sober, balancing his time between bands, recording Sever the Wicked Hand, touring and much more.

The full Q&A is after the jump. Please enjoy.

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Jerks. You know, I’m getting awfully tired of all these Crowbar shows (like, all three of them) that are happening nowhere near me. Hey, Crowbar, I will gladly pay bus fare for you guys to come play New York. And not one of those crappy dollar buses either. Greyhound, baby. Rollin’ in style.

Seriously, enough’s enough. Time for Crowbar to tour. I think the last time they came around was with Pro-Pain, when the two bands were on the same label? What was that, five years ago now? Six? Ridiculous. If Crowbar toured like Clutch all would be right in the world.

Here’s PR wire news about a Housecore Records gig in New Orleans with Crowbar, Warbeast and the willfully-uncapitalized haarp. Stupid Nola gets everything — oh wait…

Housecore Records recording artists Crowbar, Warbeast and haarp will join forces on stage on October 1st, 2010, for a label showcase brought to you by Housecore Records and Firewater Productions. With two of the groups hailing from Louisiana and one representing Texas, the showcase is sure to be a southern, dirty metal brawl. Doors open at 8pm, and the event begins at 9pm. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the show.

New Orleans sludge metal masters Crowbar have been known over the years for their low keyed, heavy brand of metal/hardcore fusion. Before forming as Crowbar in 1991, the band existed in many other forms in the New Orleans area. Vocalist/guitarist Kirk Windstein (also of Down) regarded 2009 as the 20th anniversary of Crowbar. During the span, the band recorded and released many highly reviewed records. A new record is set to be released by the band in 2011.

Not Down, not Kingdom of Sorrow. Crowbar. Motherfucking Crowbar.

I don’t even know who’s in the band other than Kirk Windstein at this point, but it doesn’t matter. It’s Crowbar. I’ll take it.

These songs were filmed June 5 in New Orleans by Tyrone Hood. No titles as of yet. Judging from what I see below, they barely have lyrics. But still. New Crowbar. There’s hope.

Thanks Blabbermouth.

Blabbermouth posted an update from Down/Crowbar?guitarist/vocalist Kirk Windstein, in which he had the following to say:

“Got a good bit of good news to announce. Crowbar?will be rereleasing the majority of the back catalog through Housecore Records?[Philip Anselmo‘s record label]. These releases will be the only official rereleases that myself and the band have agreed to.

“There are countless unauthorized rereleases out there [Metal Mind?walks by and waves]. These were never OK’ed by me and are basically screwing the band. Most of these will be released on vinyl for the first time. We will also be putting out a limited-edition box set as well as a new live record and a CD of new material. Please check TheHousecoreRecords.com for frequent updates. Also,?Crowbar?and Goatwhore?will be playing a show Friday, May 29 at Grant Street in Lafayette, Louisiana.”

Quick question: is a “CD of new material” the same thing as a new album? I sure as hell hope so, because if there’s one thing that wasn’t at all worth trading time that could have been spent making a new?Crowbar?record?for, it was Down, Over the Under. Hate to be the one to say it, but it’s true. I still get a headache every time I think about how dumb “Pillamyd” was.