This lack of mass recognition has not deterred Neurosis from expanding on the foundation they have spent the better part of the past three decades carefully building. While their first couple of records reflected their punk roots, they slowly began to expand their sound into longer, textured much heavier songs incorporating samples and electronics more reminiscent of industrial music. As the 90's progressed, a new Neurosis appeared with works such as 1992's "Souls At Zero" and 1993's post apocalyptic masterpiece "Enemy of the Sun" which may still be the only metal album to ever feature a terrifying 26 plus minute tribal drum track. As the 90's moved on, their albums grew in both complexity and intensity. Starting with 1999's "Times of Grace", punk icon and "recorder" extraordinaire Steve Albini took over the production duties, streamlining their sound without taking away any of their trademark intensity or experimentation.
Five years removed from their last release "Given To The Rising", "Honor Found In Decay" proves that there is no single formula for a Neurosis release. While the trademark growling vocals and booming guitars of co-frontmen Scott Kelly and Steve Van Till are still ever present, some new influences factor into the equation. During their five year break between releases, both Kelly and Van Till have released a number of folk influenced solo releases and even collaborated on a tribute to Townes Van Zandt with, of all people, stoner metal icon "Wino" Weinrich. Another change on this album is the expanded spotlight on keyboardist/sampler Noah Landis. This may also be one of the most efficient Neurosis albums since their punk days clocking in at just over an hour.
Starting with a single ringing sound, as if someone were running their finger along a glass of wine, the opening track, "We All Rage In Gold" quickly builds tension before detonating into a full blown rocker. As with many of their past works, "Rage's" lyrics have a decidedly spiritual tone with Kelly exclaiming "I'll walk into the water, to wash the blood from my feet". While only a relatively short 6 1/2 minutes "We All Rage in Gold" has a number of abrupt shifts in tone and intensity to keep the listener at the edge of their seat.
Starting with a single ringing sound, as if someone were running their finger along a glass of wine, the opening track, "We All Rage In Gold" quickly builds tension before detonating into a full blown rocker. As with many of their past works, "Rage's" lyrics have a decidedly spiritual tone with Kelly exclaiming "I'll walk into the water, to wash the blood from my feet". While only a relatively short 6 1/2 minutes "We All Rage in Gold" has a number of abrupt shifts in tone and intensity to keep the listener at the edge of their seat.
The second track, "At The Well" is the direct by-product of Kelly and Van Till's ventures into folk and Americana. The 10 minute epic track starts with a simple ringing guitar part and Van Till playing the role of a the lone gunman before the rest of the band kicks in. Drummer Jason Roeder and bassist Dave Edwardson provide a slow, somber driving beat while Kelly and Van Till duet then suddenly everything stops except for a sampled bagpipe accompanied by the same ringing guitar from the first minute of the song. The song eventually builds back up to a roaring climax with Kelly screaming "In A Shadow World" repeatedly. If there was a metal song that could fit into a Western movie, this may be it.
With a running time of nearly 12 minutes, "My Heart For Deliverence", starts with a nearly 2 minute ambient intro from Landis before kicking into a slowish rocker that has some rare melodic moments. Landis is all over the track with a soft piano piece in the middle of the song along with a sampled violin piece at it's conclusion. "Bleeding of the Pigs" and "Casting of the Ages" are slowish tempo rockers that are very similar to tracks on the past couple of Neurosis' albums.
As the album draws to a close, the intensity builds back up in a big way. "All is Found......In Time" is a full throttle rocker mixed with slower, more introspective parts interjected by Pink Floyd-ish synth pieces from Landis. As the song beings to build towards it's conclusion, drummer Roeder's takes the baton with a furious barrage of rolls and cymbal crashes over the past 4 minutes of the nearly 9 minute track. The closer "Raise The Dawn" is an intense, reflective song featuring some of Kelly's most impassioned singing and some bizarre little samples throughout. As "Honor Found In Decay" began with a simple ringing sound, a quiet violin piece closes it.
"Honor Found In Decay" finds Neurosis doing exactly what it wants nearly 30 years into a wildly influential career. They are still one of the heaviest bands in the universe but has no issue whatsoever about evolving and incorporating Americana or more melodic elements into their music. Neurosis embraces their past without having to rehash it - a trait not commonly seen by other bands who are hitting their 30th year.
Looks like Neurosis will be making a handful of tour dates over 2013, so hopefully you get a chance to see a true legend of American metal music.
