Neurosis Given to the Rising
Neurot Recordings NR-050 May 8, 2007
By Wayward_Son
Few bands can claim to have single-handedly created an entire sub-genre of music. While the followers and pretenders have taken Neurosis blueprint and either made it more accessible for the masses or copied the band outright and adding a single ingredient to attain uniqueness in their own eyes, the end result is always the same: No student has yet to surpass this master. Though these students (whose shall remain nameless) may garner more recognition for their music, Neurosis honor and integrity has never wavered, choosing to unleash the music, sound, and noise they see fit for us to hear.
Before Given to the Rising had been released (or leaked, as the leeches would say), there were mutterings of a return to harsher and heavier times, particularly 1999s masterpiece in sound, Times of Grace. While this writer did enjoy A Sun That Never Sets, it never sat well with such grand company as Enemy of the Sun, Souls at Zero, Through Silver in Blood, and of course Times of Grace. Then came The Eye of Every Storm, which reinvigorated interest in the band once more. While hardly the pummeling monster like its forefathers or the naked sadness of its predecessor, it had an elegance and maturity about it that demanded multiple spins. It was far from perfect, but possessed some of the bands most consumed and pure moments.
With Given to the Rising, Neurosis, has indeed found harsh and the heavy. That fact is made crystal clear from the second the album begins playing the mighty opening title track with its apocalyptic riff, bringing to mind the opening of Through Silver in Blood. Fear and Sickness follows and is equally as world ending, which shows Neurosis has indeed found the riff again. If that is not enough, To the Wind begins and eclipses the sun. This song will go down as one of Neurosis best. Hypnotic, repetitive riffs, and Scott Kellys signature bellow create a mammoth. This song is the direction Neurosis need to head, as it would keep within the mindset of always experimenting with new sounds and structures. The consistency continues with At the End of the Road. The ambient opening works well within the framework of the song as a whole, and shows the talents of Noah Landis less is more approach. The song ends in fine Neurosis fashion with the bludgeon, the distortion, and fade to black.
The positives certainly outweigh the negatives on Given to the Rising, but that does not mean, Faithful Reader, that this writer should not point them out to you. While the spoken word of Shadow is quite frightening, the song does absolutely nothing to push the album forward, instead stalling it for over two minutes. Imagine Shadow being an intermission in a movie, but placed precisely after the climax. The flow is halted. Nine has a similar effect on the album. This writer is not sure of the intent on these filler tracks, though surely they serve an unrealized purpose.
Given to the Rising does get weaker as the album moves towards its conclusion. The two filler tracks aside, Hidden Faces is one of the weaker songs here featuring nothing you have not heard before from Neurosis, though it is hardly a bad song. Water is Not Enough and Distill (Watching the Swarm) fill out the second half nicely. They both feature the heavy riffs Neurosis are known for, as well as some of the post-rock moments that the lesser bands are known for.
Fortunately, our heroes preserved all consuming purity and power for the finale. Origin is the quite simply the best parts of A Sun That Never Sets and The Eye of Every Storm with the Given to the Rising treatment. Starting off with slow, bare emotion for a good eight minutes and then crushing us with the sheer weight of sound until the albums conclusion, Origin exemplifies Neurosis current state perfectly.
Neurosis have once again proven themselves to be masters of sound, while at the same time making their followers look extremely amateurish. However, leaders should never be faulted for the shortcomings of their underlings. This is a band that has shaped music for nearly two decades, and this writer believes they will be an important part of shaping our musical future. Faithful Reader, hear Neurosis or be a pretender.
Official Neurosis Website
Official Neurot Recordings Website
Neurot Recordings NR-050 May 8, 2007
By Wayward_Son
Few bands can claim to have single-handedly created an entire sub-genre of music. While the followers and pretenders have taken Neurosis blueprint and either made it more accessible for the masses or copied the band outright and adding a single ingredient to attain uniqueness in their own eyes, the end result is always the same: No student has yet to surpass this master. Though these students (whose shall remain nameless) may garner more recognition for their music, Neurosis honor and integrity has never wavered, choosing to unleash the music, sound, and noise they see fit for us to hear.
Before Given to the Rising had been released (or leaked, as the leeches would say), there were mutterings of a return to harsher and heavier times, particularly 1999s masterpiece in sound, Times of Grace. While this writer did enjoy A Sun That Never Sets, it never sat well with such grand company as Enemy of the Sun, Souls at Zero, Through Silver in Blood, and of course Times of Grace. Then came The Eye of Every Storm, which reinvigorated interest in the band once more. While hardly the pummeling monster like its forefathers or the naked sadness of its predecessor, it had an elegance and maturity about it that demanded multiple spins. It was far from perfect, but possessed some of the bands most consumed and pure moments.
With Given to the Rising, Neurosis, has indeed found harsh and the heavy. That fact is made crystal clear from the second the album begins playing the mighty opening title track with its apocalyptic riff, bringing to mind the opening of Through Silver in Blood. Fear and Sickness follows and is equally as world ending, which shows Neurosis has indeed found the riff again. If that is not enough, To the Wind begins and eclipses the sun. This song will go down as one of Neurosis best. Hypnotic, repetitive riffs, and Scott Kellys signature bellow create a mammoth. This song is the direction Neurosis need to head, as it would keep within the mindset of always experimenting with new sounds and structures. The consistency continues with At the End of the Road. The ambient opening works well within the framework of the song as a whole, and shows the talents of Noah Landis less is more approach. The song ends in fine Neurosis fashion with the bludgeon, the distortion, and fade to black.
The positives certainly outweigh the negatives on Given to the Rising, but that does not mean, Faithful Reader, that this writer should not point them out to you. While the spoken word of Shadow is quite frightening, the song does absolutely nothing to push the album forward, instead stalling it for over two minutes. Imagine Shadow being an intermission in a movie, but placed precisely after the climax. The flow is halted. Nine has a similar effect on the album. This writer is not sure of the intent on these filler tracks, though surely they serve an unrealized purpose.
Given to the Rising does get weaker as the album moves towards its conclusion. The two filler tracks aside, Hidden Faces is one of the weaker songs here featuring nothing you have not heard before from Neurosis, though it is hardly a bad song. Water is Not Enough and Distill (Watching the Swarm) fill out the second half nicely. They both feature the heavy riffs Neurosis are known for, as well as some of the post-rock moments that the lesser bands are known for.
Fortunately, our heroes preserved all consuming purity and power for the finale. Origin is the quite simply the best parts of A Sun That Never Sets and The Eye of Every Storm with the Given to the Rising treatment. Starting off with slow, bare emotion for a good eight minutes and then crushing us with the sheer weight of sound until the albums conclusion, Origin exemplifies Neurosis current state perfectly.
Neurosis have once again proven themselves to be masters of sound, while at the same time making their followers look extremely amateurish. However, leaders should never be faulted for the shortcomings of their underlings. This is a band that has shaped music for nearly two decades, and this writer believes they will be an important part of shaping our musical future. Faithful Reader, hear Neurosis or be a pretender.
Official Neurosis Website
Official Neurot Recordings Website
