Neurosis
From Punkopedia - The Punk, Hardcore, and Indie Encyclopedia
| Neurosis | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Music genre(s) | Experimental, Hardcore Punk, Doom Metal, Dark Ambient, Stoner Metal, Industrial, Tribal, Folk, Crust Punk, Indie Rock |
| Homebase | Oakland, CA |
| Years active | 1985-Present |
| Current Status | Active |
| Notable Records | The Word As Law, Souls at Zero, Through Silver in Blood, Times of Grace, A Sun That Never Sets, Given to the Rising |
| Label(s) | Neurot Recordings, Relapse Records, Alternative Tentacles, Lookout! Records, Alchemy Records |
| Website | neurosis.com |
|
| |
Neurosis is a highly influential experimental metal band, based out of Oakland, California. Their unique sound draws from influences ranging from hardcore punk and doom metal to dark ambient, industrial, and tribal music as well as incorporates elements of indie, folk music and crust punk. Critict Brian Russ has described them as "Atmospheric Hardcore".
The band is highly regarded as one of the pioneers of the post-metal genre.
Contents |
[edit] History
In late 1985, Scott Kelly and Dave Edwardson, both ex-Violent Coercion, along with Jason Roeder, founded the band as a hardcore outfit and it has gradually progressed through a variety of styles, arriving at a unique and profound mixture of heavy metal and acoustic, minimalistic ambience which has proved influential on the doom metal scene.
Although Neurosis has been lumped into the hardcore punk genre, probably because of their previous style on their first two releases, the band has steadily evolved into a musical whirlwind of what one may refer to as an apocalyptic folk sound.
Neurosis's sound is on occasion reminiscent of the more experimental work of Swans and Pink Floyd. Mostly what remains of their hardcore punk influence in their current style is Kelly and Steve Von Till's vocal styles though heavy metal singing techniques are utilized with them.
Their constant evolution has no doubt alienated a good many of their original fanbase, though by the same token the band has garnered acclaim from critics as well as new listeners.
Neurosis were one of the first bands to feature custom made projected visuals as an integral part of their live performances. From 1990 to 1993 Adam G. Kendall was recruited to create the visuals and perform live with the band. Following his departure from touring, Pete Inc. took over the job, although Kendall continued to contribute visuals for the band until as late as 1997. Kendall also shot the footage for the Locust Star video.
Often highly experimental and psychedelic in nature, the visuals have added to the reputation of Neurosis' intense live experiences. Many of the visuals for their tours supporting Through Silver In Blood can be found in the film Altered States. Some of the other visuals can be sampled on the enhanced portion of the Sovereign mini album and on the A Sun That Never Sets DVD video release.
Their pioneering use of integrated synchronized visuals garnered acclaim and likely influenced bands such as Tool, who also tour with extensive visual accompaniment.
Additionally, the band have founded their own independent record label, Neurot Recordings, which, in addition to releasing material from Neurosis and its associated projects, has since become home to several up-and-coming innovative musical acts.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
- Pain of Mind (1987, Alchemy Records)
- The Word as Law (1990, Lookout! Records)
- Souls at Zero (1992, Alternative Tentacles)
- Enemy of the Sun (1993, Alternative Tentacles)
- Through Silver in Blood (1996, Relapse Records)
- Times of Grace (1999, Relapse Records)
- A Sun that Never Sets (2001, Relapse Records)
- Neurosis & Jarboe (2003, Neurot Recordings)
- The Eye of Every Storm (2004, Neurot Recordings/Relapse Records)
- Given to the Rising (2007, Neurot Recordings)
[edit] 7 inch Singles & EPs
- Black 7" (1986, bootleg)
- Aberration 7" (1989, Lookout! Records)
- Empty 7" (1990, Allied Records)
- Locust Star MCD (1996, Relapse Records)
- The Doorway/Threshold 7" (1999, Relapse Records)
- Sovereign MCD (2000, Neurot Recordings)
[edit] Official Bootlegs
- Live in Lyon (2002, Neurot Recordings)
- Live in Stockholm (2003, Neurot Recordings)
[edit] Video/DVD
- A Sun that Never Sets (2002, Relapse Records, Neurot Recordings)
[edit] Members
[edit] Current Members
- Scott Kelly
- Steve Von Till
- Dave Edwardson
- Noah Landis
- Jason Roeder
[edit] Past Members
- Adam G. Kendall
- Pete Inc.
- Simon McIlroy
- Chad Salter
[edit] Other Projects
- Neurosis & Jarboe - a collaboration between Neurosis and Jarboe
- Tribes of Neurot - The "alter ego" of Neurosis; a collective of musicians that create dark ambient and noise music.
- Blood and Time - An acoustic side project of Neurosis with apocalyptic folk overtones.
- Culper Ring - A brief side project of Neurosis experimenting with dark ambient and industrial music.
- Red Sparowes - A group featuring members of Neurosis and Isis
- Harvestman - an ambient/industrial side band featuring Steve Von Till.
- Violent Coercion - pre-Neurosis Hardcore/punk band with Scott Kelly on guitar and Dave Edwardson on bass.
[edit] Influences
- Black Flag
- Amebix
- The Melvins
- Christ On Parade
- Today is the Day
- Die Kreuzen
- Voivod
- Black Sabbath
- Celtic Frost
- Swans - Neurosis has worked with Jarboe of Swans. And Michael Gira's (Swans founder) Angels of Light played at the first Beyond the Pale festival.
- Joy Division
- Pink Floyd
- King Crimson
- Discharge
- Rudimentary Peni
- Godflesh
[edit] Bands Influenced by Neurosis
- Mastodon- A progressive group out of Atlanta. Kelly has done vocals on two songs. The group has stated that Neurosis is one the biggest influences on their sound.
- Cult of Luna - Swedish band influenced by Neurosis.
- Isis - A Boston-based band (now relocated in Los Angeles) that lists Neurosis as heavily influential on their sound. Both bands regard each other as great friends. Fans of Neurosis are usually familiar with this band.
- Pelican - a four-piece instrumental post-rock/post-metal band from Chicago, Illinois who have since relocated to Los Angeles.
- Gojira - A progressive death metal band from Bayonne, France that have claimed Neurosis as a strong influence.
- The Sound of Animals Fighting - A California-based progressive rock music group featuring members of Finch, Rx Bandits, Chiodos, and Circa Survive. The beat, and some effects from the song "Skullflower", off of Lover, the Lord Has Left Us… was taken from the Neurosis song "A Sun That Never Sets".
- Twin Zero - A UK experimental metal band, featuring Karl Middleton of Earthtone9 with strong Neurosis influences.
- Cancerslug - A Horror Punk/Death Rock/Gothic/Experimental Metal band from Decatur, Alabama lists Neurosis as an influence.
