Candlelight Records has announced the worldwide signing of New Orleans’ CROWBAR. Life’s Blood For The Downtrodden, the band’s label debut, is expected to see a February 8, 2005 stateside release date. Final studio work on the album produced by the working team of Warren Riker (DOWN) and Rex Brown (PANTERA, DOWN), is planned in Miami between August 14-September 1. Upon completion it will be the band’s first studio album in over three years.

CROWBAR recently completed an 11-date European tour, including a performance at Germany’s With Full Force Festival and Pressure Fest. The band currently features founder, vocalist/guitarist Kirk Windstein, bassist Patrick Bruders, guitarist Steve Gibb, and drummer Tommy Buckley.