Kirk Windstein (born April 14, 1965) is an American musician. He is the frontman, vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and sole constant member of the

sludge metal Sludge metal (also known as sludge or sludge doom) is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music that originated through combining elements of doom metal and hardcore punk. It is typically harsh and abrasive, often featuring shouted vocals, heavi ...

band Crowbar. He is also a founding member of the heavy metal

supergroup Supergroup or super group may refer to: * Supergroup (music), a music group formed by artists who are already notable or respected in their fields * Supergroup (physics), a generalization of groups, used in the study of supersymmetry * Supergroup ...

Down, playing guitar with them from 1991 to 2013 and later rejoining the band in 2020. In 2005, Windstein formed

Kingdom of Sorrow Kingdom of Sorrow is an American sludge metal band that features Kirk Windstein of Crowbar and Down, along with Jamey Jasta of Hatebreed. History Kingdom of Sorrow was founded when Hatebreed frontman Jamey Jasta introduced himself to Do ...

with

Jamey Jasta James Shanahan (born August 7, 1977), known professionally as Jamey Jasta, is an American vocalist, best known as the lead singer of metalcore band Hatebreed and sludge metal band Kingdom of Sorrow. Jasta also fronts metalcore band Icepick. P ...

Hatebreed Hatebreed is an American hardcore band from Bridgeport, Connecticut, formed in 1994. The band released its debut album '' Satisfaction is the Death of Desire'' in 1997, which gave the band a cult following. The band signed to Universal Records ...

. Their debut album was released in 2008. Windstein began his musical career in 1985 as a guitarist for a

cover band A cover band (or covers band) is a band that plays songs recorded by someone else, sometimes mimicking the original as accurately as possible, and sometimes re-interpreting or changing the original. These remade songs are known as cover songs. Ne ...

called Victorian Blitz, and in 1988 joined a

hardcore punk Hardcore punk (also known as simply hardcore) is a punk rock music genre and subculture that originated in the late 1970s. It is generally faster, harder, and more aggressive than other forms of punk rock. Its roots can be traced to earlier punk ...

band called Shell Shock as a vocalist and guitarist.

Life and career

Victorian Blitz

Windstein played guitar for the

Victorian Blitz in 1985. Other members included Sid Montz, with whom Windstein would play again in Crowbar, Valüme Nob, Kevin Noonan, and bassist Danny Theriot.

Shell Shock

Having left Victorian Blitz, Windstein joined the New Orleans'

band

Shell Shock Shell shock is a term coined in World War I by the British psychologist Charles Samuel Myers to describe the type of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) many soldiers were afflicted with during the war (before PTSD was termed). It is a react ...

as their guitarist and vocalist. With Windstein in the band they began to play more of a

crossover thrash Crossover thrash (often abbreviated to crossover) is a fusion genre of thrash metal and hardcore punk. The genre lies on a continuum between heavy metal and hardcore punk. Other genres on the same continuum, such as metalcore and grindcore, ma ...

style rather than straightforward hardcore punk, as it better suited Windstein's vocal style and a two-guitarists line-up. After finishing the recording of a new album called ''No Tomorrow'', the band's guitarist Mike Hatch committed suicide. Kevin Noonan replaced Hatch for the final Shell Shock show in 1988, and the band became what is now Crowbar.

Crowbar

After the collapse of Shell Shock in 1988 due to the suicide of Hatch, the band enlisted Kevin Noonan and carried on as Aftershock, which played a mixture of hardcore punk and

doom metal Doom metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music that typically uses slower tempos, low-tuned guitars and a much "thicker" or "heavier" sound than other heavy metal genres.K. Kahn-Harris, ''Extreme Metal: Music and Culture on the Edge'' ...

. Under that name, they released a demo in mid-1989, but then renamed themselves Wrequiem when bassist Mike Savoie (who would later direct music videos for Crowbar, Down, and

Pantera Pantera () is an American heavy metal music, heavy metal band from Arlington, Texas formed in 1981, and currently comprised of vocalist Phil Anselmo, bassist Rex Brown, and touring musicians Zakk Wylde and Charlie Benante. The group's best-kn ...

) left the band and was replaced by

Todd Strange Todd Strange (born June 26, 1966) is an American musician who is the bass guitarist for sludge metal band Crowbar. He also toured with Down and performed live in support of their debut album, ''NOLA.'' Career Strange formed Crowbar with Ki ...

. In 1990, they renamed themselves The Slugs, and after a demo in mid-1990, the band collapsed. Windstein considered becoming the guitarist for

Exhorder Exhorder is an American heavy metal band from New Orleans, Louisiana. They are considered progenitors of the groove-oriented thrash sound later made famous by bands such as Pantera, Lamb of God, White Zombie and Machine Head, and their music ...

. But he and Strange reformed the band, with

Craig Nunenmacher Craig Nunenmacher is an American musician, best known as the former drummer for heavy metal bands Black Label Society and Crowbar. He joined BLS in July 2000 while playing for Crowbar, who were touring with BLS at the time. The original BLS drumme ...

as the drummer, and Kevin Noonan on guitar. The band renamed themselves to Crowbar in mid-1991. Crowbar was originally signed by Mark Nawara to Pavement Music and released their debut album '' Obedience thru Suffering'' in 1991. Windstein's childhood friend

Phil Anselmo Philip Hansen Anselmo (born June 30, 1968) is an American Heavy metal music, heavy metal vocalist best known as the lead singer for Pantera, Down (band), Down, and Superjoint, amongst other musical projects. He is the owner of Housecore Records ...

(who at the time was with Pantera) produced their next effort, a self-titled album released in 1993. The album went on to achieve international success with songs such as "All I Had (I Gave)", "Existence Is Punishment", and a cover of

Led Zeppelin Led Zeppelin were an English rock band formed in London in 1968. The group comprised vocalist Robert Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham. With a heavy, guitar-driven sound, they are ci ...

's "

No Quarter The phrase no quarter was generally used during military conflict to imply combatants would not be taken prisoner, but killed. According to some modern American dictionaries, a person who is given no quarter is "not treated kindly" or "treated ...

". MTV's ''

Headbangers Ball ''Headbangers Ball'' is a music television program that consisted of heavy metal music videos airing on MTV and its global affiliates. The show began on MTV on April 18, 1987, playing heavy metal music videos from both well-known and more obs ...

'' began to play the music video for "Existence Is Punishment", which was also featured on ''

Beavis and Butt-Head ''Beavis and Butt-Head'' is an American adult animated series created by Mike Judge. The series follows Beavis and Butt-Head, both voiced by Judge, a pair of teenage slackers characterized by their apathy, lack of intelligence, lowbrow humor, ...

''. Following that success, the band toured with Pantera. Together, they partied heavily, and footage of these events appears on Pantera's third home video and Crowbar's "Like Broken" video, in which Windstein dressed up as

Hulk The Hulk is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in the debut issue of ''The Incredible Hulk (comic book), The Incredible Hulk' ...

. In 2001, Crowbar went on hiatus, because Windstein concentrated on other bands. Upon Windstein's return, Crowbar released ''

Lifesblood for the Downtrodden ''Lifesblood for the Downtrodden'' is the eighth studio album by American sludge metal band Crowbar, released on February 8, 2005 through Candlelight Records. Its working title in 2004 had been ''You Don't Need an Enemy to Have a War''. It is ded ...

'' in 2005, and two years later released a live DVD called ''Live: With Full Force''. The band released ''

Sever the Wicked Hand ''Sever the Wicked Hand'' is the ninth studio album by American sludge metal band Crowbar. It was released on February 8, 2011 via E1 Music, on February 14, 2011 via Century Media in the UK, and a day later for the rest of Europe.Symmetry in Black ''Symmetry in Black'' is the tenth studio album by the American sludge metal band Crowbar. It was released on May 26, 2014 in Europe via Century Media Records and on May 27, 2014 in North America via eOne Music.The Serpent Only Lies ''The Serpent Only Lies'' is the eleventh studio album by the American sludge metal band Crowbar. It was released on October 28, 2016, through eOne Music. Track listing Personnel Crowbar * Kirk Windstein Kirk Windstein (born April 14, 1 ...

'' in 2016, and their latest, ''Zero and Below'', in March 2022.

Down

upright=0.8, Windstein (right) and Rex Brown performing with Down in 2009 Down released their debut album ''

NOLA Nola is a town and a municipality in the Metropolitan City of Naples, Campania, southern Italy. It lies on the plain between Mount Vesuvius and the Apennines. It is traditionally credited as the diocese that introduced bells to Christian worship. ...

'' via

Elektra Records Elektra Records (or Elektra Entertainment) is an American record label owned by Warner Music Group, founded in 1950 by Jac Holzman and Paul Rickolt. It played an important role in the development of contemporary folk and rock music between the 1 ...

in 1995 with Windstein on guitar and bass, Anselmo on vocals,

Pepper Keenan Pepper J. Keenan (born May 8, 1967) is an American guitarist and vocalist, best known for his work with heavy metal bands Corrosion of Conformity and Down. He joined Corrosion of Conformity in 1989, but did not become the lead singer until the ...

on guitar, and Jimmy Bower (Crowbar,

Superjoint Ritual Superjoint, formerly known as Superjoint Ritual, was an American Heavy metal music, heavy metal band. History The band was formed by Phil Anselmo, Joe Fazzio, and Jimmy Bower in the early 1990s, later to be joined by Hank Williams III and Kevi ...

, and

Eyehategod Eyehategod (also abbreviated and referred to as EHG) is an American sludge metal band from New Orleans, Louisiana who formed in 1988. They have become one of the better known bands to emerge from the NOLA metal scene. Their core lineup has r ...

) on drums. The band played a 13-show tour with

on bass, and the album was certified gold by the

RIAA The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is a trade organization that represents the music recording industry in the United States. Its members consist of record labels and distributors that the RIAA says "create, manufacture, and/o ...

. Following the tour, each member returned to their respective bands. Crowbar recorded three albums before Down reunited to release '' Down II: A Bustle in Your Hedgerow'' in 2002. Following the release, Down toured on the second stage at

Ozzfest Ozzfest is an annual music festival tour of the United States and sometimes Europe and later Japan, featuring performances by many heavy metal and hard rock musical groups. It was founded by Sharon Osbourne and her husband Ozzy Osbourne, both ...

, and then continued to tour on the "An Evening With... Down" tour. Afterward, both Windstein and Keenan returned to their main bands, thereby allowing Windstein to record Crowbar's ''

'' with

Rex Brown Rex Robert Brown (born July 27, 1964) is an American musician. He is best known as the bassist for heavy metal band Pantera, from 1982 to their disbandment in 2003. As of their reunion in 2022, he is the band's only constant member. Brown i ...

on bass,

(

Black Label Society Black Label Society is an American heavy metal band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1998 by guitarist/singer Zakk Wylde. To date, the band has released eleven studio albums, two live albums, two compilation albums, one EP, and three vid ...

and original Crowbar member) on drums and Down producer Warren Riker in early 2005. In 2007, Down released the album '' Down III: Over the Under''. They released an EP titled ''

Down IV – Part I ''Down IV – Part I'' (informally known as ''The Purple EP'') is the first EP by American sludge metal band Down. It was released on September 18, 2012. It is the first album featuring bassist Pat Bruders due to the departure of former bassist ...

'' in September 2012. In late 2013, Windstein announced that he is leaving Down to concentrate on Crowbar 'full-time', as the band has its 25 anniversary in 2014. In 2020, Windstein rejoined Down.

Kingdom of Sorrow

In 2005, Windstein teamed up with vocalist

to form a new side venture called

. The band's self-titled debut album was released on February 19, 2008 through

Relapse Records Relapse Records is an American independent record label based in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania. It was founded by Matthew F. Jacobson in 1990. The label features many grindcore, death metal, metalcore and sludge metal artists. History The label was ...

. It debuted at No. 131 on the US Billboard charts and sold 6,000 records in its first week of release. The album was recorded at Planet Z with producer Zeuss, known for his work with

Shadows Fall Shadows Fall is an American metalcore band from Boston, Massachusetts, formed in 1996. Although Shadows Fall has experienced several line-up changes, for most of its recording career, Shadows Fall has been composed of Jon Donais (lead guitar, b ...

and many others.

Solo work

In January 2020, Windstein released his first solo album, ''Dream in Motion''.

Personal life

Windstein is married and has a daughter. He is a

Christian Christians () are people who follow or adhere to Christianity, a monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The words ''Christ'' and ''Christian'' derive from the Koine Greek title ''Christós'' (Χρι ...

Equipment

upWindstein performing with Down at Download Festival 2009

Guitar

*Ibanez DT520 Destroyer (currently with Crowbar) *ESP Viper (Black) *ESP Viper Baritone *ESP Viper Custom (Red) *ESP Eclipse Ambery Cherry Sunburst *Gibson SG VooDoo (2005 with Crowbar) *Gibson SG Standard Black (2005 with Crowbar) *Gibson SG Gothic (Down 2002, Crowbar 2005, Kingdom of Sorrow 2008) *Fender Stratocaster White (2009 Tour with Down) *ESP Viper Custom Purple Le Fleur-de-lis (2010 Crowbar) *Gibson Explorer White (Down) *Solar E1.6 Jensen

Amplification and effects

*Randall RG100ES (Crowbar, used from 1988–2013) *Randall RG3003 (Crowbar, used since 2013) *Randall Cyclone (Crowbar, used briefly around 2000–2001) *Dean Dime D-100 (Crowbar, used briefly during 2010–2011) *Orange Thunderverb 50 (he and

are both endorsers since 2010) *Marshall Amplification *Marshall JCM800 2203X 100W Head (Down) *Orange Rockerverb 100 (Down) *Orange Crush Pro 120 Head (Crowbar) *Marshall 1960B straight front 300W 4x12 cabinets that use celestion V30speakers *Mesa/Boogie Standard 4x12 cabinets with Celestion V30 speakers (Crowbar) *Orange PPC 412 4x12 cabinet with Celestion V30 speakers *Maxon Effects Pedals *Boss Metal Zone MT-2 pedal (Used for boost with Crowbar, EQ all at noon, level cranked, drive at 0)

Discography

Crowbar

Down

Kingdom of Sorrow

Solo

Music videos

* 1991: Crowbar – "Subversion" * 1993: Crowbar – "All I Had (I Gave)" * 1993: Crowbar – "Existence Is Punishment" * 1994: Down – "Stone the Crow" * 1995: Crowbar – "The Only Factor * 1996: Crowbar – "Broken Glass" * 1997: Crowbar – "Like Broken" (full-length home video) * 1997:

– " 3 Watch It Go" (full-length home video) (Windstein as

The Incredible Hulk The Hulk is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in the debut issue of '' The Incredible Hulk'' (May 1962). In his comic book a ...

) * 2000: Crowbar – "I Feel the Burning Sun" * 2002: Down – "Ghosts along the Mississippi" * 2005: Crowbar – "Dead Sun" (filmed in Miami, Florida, around August 2004 and directed by John-Martin Vogel and Robert Lisman) * 2005: Crowbar – "Lasting Dose" * 2005: Crowbar – "Slave No More" (filmed in Miami, Florida, on June 21, 2005, and directed by John-Martin Vogel) * 2007: Crowbar – "Live: With Full Force" (full-length DVD) * 2007: Down – "On March the Saints" * 2008:

– "Lead into Demise" * 2008: Kingdom of Sorrow – "Lead the Ghosts Astray" * 2011: Crowbar – "Cemetery Angels" * 2012: Down – "Witchtripper" * 2014: Crowbar – "Walk with Knowledge Wisely" * 2014: Crowbar – "Symmetry in White" * 2016: Crowbar – "Falling While Rising" * 2019: Kirk Windstein – "Dream in Motion"

References

External links

Crowbar official webpageDown official webpageValume Nob official webpageKirk Windstein interview (Nov. 2007)
{{DEFAULTSORT:Windstein, Kirk 1965 births American Christians American heavy metal guitarists American heavy metal singers American male guitarists American male singer-songwriters American rock songwriters Guitarists from Louisiana Living people Musicians from New Orleans Rhythm guitarists Singer-songwriters from Louisiana 20th-century American guitarists Crowbar (American band) members Down (band) members Kingdom of Sorrow members American baritones