Neurosis, "Give To The Rising"

Neurosis is a band that makes me glad to be alive right now, at this point in musical history. This feels like an album that could only be made today.

Something has been changing, evolving, in the primordial stew of hardcore punk and metal. It's finally crawled out on to the land. Previous albums were like a single green, scaly Swamp Thing arm thrust up from the murk into the swirling mist. Now, on Given To The Rising, the beast is among us, knocking us down, cracking open some skull and feasting on the nutricious brains within.

The degree to which theyve evolved is staggering. Those aformentioned roots of hardcore and metal are but one color in the tapestry, along with folk storytelling and ambient noise. Other bands use the same instruments and styles they do, but here every element joins together to form a singular whole. There is not a single word or sound or note out of place, no one member vying for the spotlight. There is just the entity, the ALBUM. No sick finger tapping solos, bro, sorry. This is not a band you'll be seeing in Guitar Hero, ever.

The compositions are layered and melded together with soul, fury, and an organic flow. This is the all encompassing peak of their writing abilities, incorporating the most potent essence of the 4 previous albums. I would give this album to any music fan with an attention span, without a second thought.

Notice I said "attention span" there. Not to pidgeonhole this as "smart" or "intellectual" music, but...it is. This is music that will reward your full efforts to integrate it within your mind. It may certainly be difficult, and a little scary at first, but within 3 or 4 listens you'll begin to see the truth.