Neurosis

As the band tune up onstage, the crowd cheers and shouts, anticipating the awesome sound of Neurosis. The stage is black, only dimly lit, and the silhouettes of the band members are barely visible. Guitar chords can be heard, low and steady, through the darkness, and are soon accompanied by a deep electronic vibration. The haunting sound continues, until suddenly the stage explodes in light and sound. Simultaneously, strobe lights illuminate the band members and Scott Kelly opens with the lyrics to “Through Silver In Blood”. The crowd goes wild, jumping up and down, howling, and pumping their fists as Neurosis light up the stage both literally and figuratively with their cascading sound. Neurosis is a hardcore punk gone post-metal band from California. They formed in 1985, and released their first album, Pain of Mind, in 1987. They followed that with The Word As Law in 1990, and between 1992 and and 2012 produced eight other albums. They have also released five EPs. In the 2000s, Neurosis founded Neurot Recordings and released their music, as well as material from other artists, on that independent record label. As well as providing great music, Neurosis also have live visual effects at their concerts put on by visual artist Josh Graham. Their combination of visual and audible content make Neurosis concerts epic affairs not to be missed.

Neurosis’ performance was something to behold. It was primal, visceral, and at times beautiful. For every song the stage would go black and tension would build from a certain noise or tape loop until the band erupted into loud and driving riffs or emerge into slow and trance-inducing grooves. From there, the songs with explosive beginnings would taper off into slower and more ambient segments and the songs that started off slow would build up into heavy and primordial waves of sound crashing into you. The band members didn’t interact with the crowd at all, but they didn’t need to for the performance to be enjoyable. Their music transported you into another dimension, full of chaos and destruction with shimmers of grace. Words really can’t describe the whole experience, so I implore you to go see Neurosis for yourself if you enjoy heavy music, music that creates an atmosphere, or just metal in general. Amazing performance. Amazing musicianship. Amazing concert.

You have to work pretty damn hard and attain a level of consistency to move from artist to influencer. Oakland post-metal outfit Neurosis are considered by many publications to be one of the most influential bands of the past two decades and countless emerging artists have cited their albums as hugely detrimental to their own sound.

Therefore you find Neurosis gigs are packed with the devoted and loyal and those who have heard about the band vicariously through those influenced. Either way everybody is receptive as soon as they step onstage and the guitars immediately cut through the hazy atmosphere. The crowd roars in approval and the atmosphere remains great for the remainder of the evening as the group whip through a setlist which lifts from nearly all of the records in their collection before arriving at the obvious finale of 'Stones from the Sky'. The applauses are almost as large as the riffs and rightly so.

Just an outstanding experience, my third time seeing Neurosis. The setlist was diverse and included several favourites, new songs from Fires Within Fires (Fire Is the End Lesson being especially crushing), and also Lost, Enemy of the Sun. I wish I could have stayed in London another night to see their second date, with Discharge and the Subhumans. I am very curious what songs will make it into their second set.

The performance was amazing. Morever, the two opening bands, bell witch and deadkids, were astonishing. I know understand when people complement Neurosis life performance. Venue was good too, the venue is bringing one of my favorite bands from Europe next month and I won't make it unfortunately. But my point is, it seems that it is a well connected venue.

Neurosis isn't a show.

Neurosis isn't a concert.

Neurosis isn't music.

Neurosis IS AN EXPERIENCE.

Entrancing. Unparalleled. Metal.

Do not fucking miss them. Go and see them. I'm still hypnotized days later.

No crazy antics. Just very on point musicianship, blasting out a sonic landscape, beautiful and sinister. These guys just rock so damn hard, i'd love to see them again, and again.