Search - Neurosis :: Sun That Never Sets

Still Going Strong After 7 Albums...

Sunshine the Werewolf | Canada | 02/09/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"NEUROSIS - A Sun That Never Sets

-

Neurosis is an aural force that is basically unmatched in the world of heavy music... They have laid the seeds for such bands as Isis, Pelican, Red Sparowes and countless others. This being their 7th album they further explore the multi-layered textures of music, pushing the bounds of sound...

The Vocals of Steve Von Till and Scott Kelly have never sounded better... Their dark, almost Tom Waits-inspired singing accompanied by thick screams and yells blends a powerful vocal force to be reckoned with. On top of them the Tribal Drumming, the Crunchy Guitars, thick low-end Bass, and the variety of other instruments such as Violin and Keys only further add to this dark textured atmosphere. Neurosis sinks you in like few other bands can... What is best about Neurosis is their music is modest and less pretentious than many other `progressive' bands. They choose to slowly build lush layers of beautiful, yet heavy soundscapes instead of all-out flashy musicianship.

Neurosis is best enjoyed when other distractions are not present, A nice walk with head-phones on... or lying on your bed with the lights out and the tunes blaring...



Neurosis is the "Napalm Death" of Post-Metal and have spawned countless other bands so if you like any of the previous mentioned bands or any of today's modern post-rock/metal be sure to check out From Where Its Roots Run.... Neurosis.



Favorite Songs: Falling Unknown, The Tide, Stones from the Sky and Watchfire.

-5 Star





IF YOU LIKED, AGREED, OR APPRECIATED THIS PLEASE CLICK YES FOR:

"Was this review helpful?"

"

Not of this world

Doctor Bach | Battle Creek Maryland | 08/18/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I purchased this album yesterday and I can tell you if you're a Neurosis fan and you haven't heard it you'll be pleased. It's different from what I expected but that's typical of any Neurosis album. On the first listen you never know what to expect except for the pounding tribal drums and various other noise textures. One of the things I love about this band is that all their albums seem to grow on me very gradually. I purchased Times of Grace when it first came out and at first I was slightly disappointed. I guess I expected them to top the beyond classic Through Silver In Blood(probably the greatest offering of music from anyone). It took a while but after a year or so(that's right, it took a year for me to figure out the complexity of it! That's how far ahead of me they are.) I found myself hearing things in the music I hadn't heard the first few times around. I think this album will be much like that but it seems to have leeched me from the first listen. Neurosis can create such overwhelming feelings of desperation, pain, and sorrow more effectively and differently than anyone out there. "Falling Unknown" from this album is the perfect example. WOW!!! What a beautifully dark song! It starts off like a typical(or untypical) Neurosis song, slowly building but this one is slightly different. Building gradually, slowing down to a crawl, then slowly pulling the listener into a hellish abyss utilizing everything in their arsenal, drums, guitar, bass, violins, and probably layers of other instruments, pulling you into a void that is extremely painful yet somehow extremely beautiful at the same time.If you're a Neurosis fan don't hesitate, grab this immediately. If you're not a Neurosis fan you should know this stuff is by no means what I call 'quick fix' music. It's a long meanduring journey through unchartered musical territory. If you listen to anything in the mainstream then this WILL NOT suit you as many of the maimstream conformists at Ozzfest have determined. I'd suggest starting with Through Silver In Blood first as that is probably their most powerful release. Neurosis are arguably giving the world the deepest, darkest, most thought-provoking music ever heard. They are one of my favorite bands right along side Today Is The Day. If you like this also check out Brighter Death Now and Archon Satani. I think I'm the only person in the world who has heard of these guys. This music is best on cold, rainy, Sunday mornings or late at night. Not for boom boxes either. Audiophiles, if you think bands like Tool and Nine Inch Nails are putting out the most powerful, multi-layered, bass-pounding productions, you're wrong. When you're done fooling around with mainstream ..., this is the way. Put it in and experience serenity."

And the burning sun shines on.

Shotgun Method | NY... No, not *that* NY | 09/06/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Neurosis are easily one of the most unique and influential (just ask Isis, Pelican, The Red Sparows, etc.) metal bands out there, and this album is no exception. Continuing the evolution that started with Times Of Grace (which was a slight move away from the dark bludgeonings that characterized Through Silver In Blood) and the Sovereign EP, A Sun That Never Sets establishes the band's embrace of a more melodic "post-metal" sound.



Now, when I say "metal," throw out your normal expectations of metal, including classical/pentatonic fretboard runs, lyrics about Satan and death, and endless blastbeats. A Sun Never Sets is more concerned with texture, using a sense of sparse minimalism and repetition to achieve gradual, swelling impact. Tracks frequently stretch out to 8 minutes or more, taking their time to unfold and develop into epic soundscapes. The distorted guitars are augmented with keyboards, viola, and Jason Roeder's thundering drums as Steven Von Til and Scott Kelly's harsh vocals paint images of nomadic cultures and cracked earth under a burning sky. Repeat until soul is either nourished or destroyed (depending on your mood)..



After a brief intro, The Tide throws the listener deep into Neurosis' ravaged world, its chanted vocals, slow-building melody, and explosive climax an excellent summary of the band's sound. The closer Stones In The Sky begins with ominous tolling bells and develops into one of the most shattering conclusions of any album I've ever heard--a wall of sound raging against the final darkness. In between you have tribal interludes, bleak dirges, and bizarre, experimental sounds.



In other words, a classic. Fans of brilliant, emotive, progressive music (metal or otherwise) MUST have this one."