Last Crow post, I swear! Crow reunites and comes back with eight new songs on a 12” EP (眼 - “Eye”), released mid-last year. This one feels less heavy and crushing than their mid-to-late 2000s efforts, a bit more chaotic - with more noise and soundscapes that are evocative of some of Crow’s side projects like Death Comes Along and Grave New World, and less straight metallic riffing (though don’t get me wrong, it has its moments for sure). Record opens with a cacophony of crows, a common sound for me in Portland. There’s even a few high-pitched vocal versions, somewhat operatic in style, which kinda works for me tbh. The second side features a high-pitched vocal version of the title track - sounding like “The Crow” from 1994, which in turn copied Cal’s unfortunate Grave New World vocals. It closes with more crows cawing. Overall, while it isn’t my favorite Crow release, I have a feeling it will grow on me, and I just have to take a moment of appreciation that this maniac has been putting out weird and awesome hardcore since 1985.
The artwork features various clippings of Crow’s eye in a collage style, along with the signature calligraphy and pen work. I have 3 copies of this, and each color has a hype sticker matching the color of the vinyl. Helpful! Dig that strawberry and cream white and red vinyl.