Neurosis

ALBUM OF THE WEEK: GUILTLESS- TEETH TO SKY

For a while now, I’ve been searching for the a certain type of band to come along and ease my pain of not having Neurosis nor Isis (the band) being active. I know that sounds silly considering there are plenty of bands out there that I’ve heard that could possibly do it but, I’ve been looking for that one band to take that style a bit in a different direction and I found it. Guiltless, a fitting name for a band that definitely has that Neurosis vibe (their album is released through Neurot Recordings and guitarist/vocalist Josh Graham did work with Neurosis creating visual components). Joining forces with Sacha Dunable, Billy Graves and Dan Hawkins, members of Intronaut and Generation Of Vipers, this devastating four piece has taken the good old fashioned doom sound and added some really fun twists, turns and dynamics to push beyond that sound.

The debut album, Teeth To Sky is quite the eruption. Throughout the 8 songs and over 40 minutes of the album, the way it becomes immersive is quite the listening experience. There’s a ton of little nuances found throughout the songs that give Teeth To Sky the charm it has. Mixing doom with post metal, noise rock, ambient undertones and the twist… optimism. The addition of optimism in this style of music is quite interesting and part of the reason why it took me a minute to write this. I’ve been listening to this album for the past few weeks, eating up all the things I was looking for. As I kept listening especially listening with my really awesome headphones on, that’s when I started to figure out this album. There’s a reoccurring theme found on the album of how “one must take advantage of life” and in the times we are in, it’s pretty epic to find that in this style of music.

To describe each song and get into that would take away from the effect you’d have from listening on your own. The bludgeoning aggressiveness that is found throughout propels the album but, Teeth To Sky is more than that. This album is one of those that will grow on you as it did with me. I look forward to hearing more from Guiltless and seeing how they develop and evolve. These songs need to be played live and I would bet that the decibel levels will be astounding. Definitely give Guiltless and this crushing debut album a ton of listens. And if/when they arrive in your town, I’d go see them too!

Overall Rating: 8.5/10

By: Brian Lacy

Guiltless- Teeth To Sky:

Solo Album Spotlight: Harvestman- Triptych: Part One

Harvestman, the psych project of Neurosis’ Steve Von Till has a really intriguing album coming out, Triptych: Part One. The releases of these albums will coincide on three of 2024’s full moons, making Triptych, Harvestman’s most ambitious undertaking yet. Triptych: Part One was recorded and mixed at The Crow’s Nest in North Idaho by Steve Von Till who creates the movements using guitars, bass, synths, percussion, percussion, loops, filters, and more. The record features guest contributions from Dave French (Yob) who performs stock tank percussion on “Nocturnal Field Song” and provides frequency consultation for the album, bass from Al Cisneros (Sleep, OM) on “Psilosynth” and “Harvest Dub,” and John Goff (Cascadia Bagpiper) who plays Northumbrian smallpipes on “Mare And Foal.”

Steve Von Till is a mastermind of sonics and this album pushes the boundaries of volume as well as tapping into tribal-esque rhythms with eerie synths that make for quite the psychedelic twist. There is a complete artistic vision amongst these songs and the the more you listen, the more you hear things you missed on previous listens. One of the most fun things about listening to this album is that it allows your mind to wander and float through the different soundscapes. Throughout the album, there are many twists and turns that captivate your attention and take you to different dimensions. Another element that this album has is an introspectiveness that unfolds with each layer of music.

2024 is really shaping up to be quite the year for artistic albums and this new Harvestman album is right up there with the best of them!

Harvestman- Triptych Part One:



Anticipated Albums: Absent In Body- Plague God

This is really exciting music news!! Absent In Body is a new band featuring Scott Kelly (Neurosis), Iggor Cavalera (ex Sepultura), Mathieu J. Vandekerckhove (Amenra) and Colin H. Van Eeckhout (Amenra). Originally conceived by Kelly and Vandekerckhove the two began working on a project and quickly realized they were definitely on to something good. Colin H. Van Eeckhout was then brought in on vocals and bass and then the icing on the cake was Cavalera joining. There is a sense of urgency to the band and the songs. Considering the world we live in now, a band like this filled with an uncompromising honesty of expression takes things to a whole other level. The first song released “The Acres/The Ache” is one hell of a track. It’s a dense and slowly brutal song that is epic and full of all the things you love about each member of this band. I personally can’t wait for this album and hopefully the Absent In Body tour at some point.


Absent In Body- The Acres/The Ache:

Title Tracks: Neurosis- Through Silver In Blood
Neurosis - Through Silver In Blood (1996, Gatefold, Vinyl) | Discogs

There are certain title tracks that not only summarize the album but also set a tone. For instance, with Neurosis and the title track to their highly influential and amazing album, Through Silver In Blood, the moment the first beat hits, you know you’re in for one hell of a ride. The layers of sludgey distorted guitars, the pummeling drums, bombastic bass, vocals the create a sense of urgency and summon the depths of the underworld, soundscapes that strike bits of fear and chills in your body along with the sheer magnitude of volume being emitted, it’s no wonder that Neurosis and this album set a blueprint for the post metal movement. Clocking in at a little over 12 minutes, “Through Silver In Blood” is one of those songs that not only is epic by nature it takes on a whole other life of its own. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Neurosis perform this song live a few times and every one of those times, this song rattles the room and the audience becomes so hypnotized by it that, when you look around and see the waves of heads banging and swaying, it’s breathtaking. This title track is one of the best ever and this album is a masterpiece.

Neurosis- Through Silver In Blood:

Great Music Videos: Neurosis- Stones From The Sky

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Neurosis is one of my all time favorite bands. They are truly innovative, inspirational and influential. If you’ve never really listened to them, I highly recommend you check out the albums Through Silver and Blood, Times of Grace and my personal favorite A Sun That Never Sets. Speaking of A Sun That Never Sets, I’d like to present a great music video for the closing song on that album “Stones From The Sky.” This video is just as epic as the song itself. This also just happens to be one of my favorite Neurosis songs of all time too. I’m not going to go on and on, just put this on and enjoy this great video and epic song!
Neurosis- Stones From The Sky (from A Sun That Never Sets):

 

Ultimate Set List: Mastodon

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I’ve said it before and I’ll continue to say it, Mastodon are the best band to come out since the turn of the century. Through their almost 20 year history, they have continuously made great music. Albums like, Crack The Skye, Leviathan, and Emperor Of Sand are monumental and essential albums as well as 3 of the best since 2000. The mighty Mastodon are true artists in every sense of the word and their songs and albums show that. So, with all that in mind, I worked up my Ultimate Set List for Mastodon.

Guideline 1: What line up of the band would it be

Guideline 2: Where would you want to see the show

Guideline 3: maximum 25 songs (In order of how the set should go)

Lineup: Brann Dailor, Brent Hinds, Troy Sanders, Bill Kelliher, and Scott Kelly

Venue: Troubadour- Los Angeles

Set List:

1) Sultan’s Curse
2) March Of The Fire Ants
3) Iron Tusk
4) Steambreather
5) Oblivion
6) Chimes At Midnight
7) Ancient Kingdom
8) Colony Of Birchmen
9) Dry Bone Valley
10) Andromeda
11) Ember City
12) The Czar: Usurper/Escape/Martyr/Spiral
13) Roots Remain
14) Sleeping Giant
15) Divinations
16) Crusher Destroyer
17) Jaguar God
18) Mother Puncher
19) The Last Baron

Encore (All With Scott Kelly of Neurosis):

20) Diamond In The Witch House
21) Aqua Dementia
22) Crystal Skull
23) Spectrelight
24) Scorpion Breath
25) Crack The Skye

Audioeclectica Radio Episode 4

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Audioeclectica Radio Is Back!!!!

You are about to embark on one hell of a journey with Episode 4 of Audioeclectica Radio. After taking some time off to regroup, I’ve brought back the radio show. As always the show is very eclectic and features different styles and genres you might not normally listen to. This is one of the best playlists I’ve put together so far.

Don’t forget this show is totally interactive. So if you have any requests for certain bands/songs or even topics you’d like for me to elaborate on, send me a message or leave a comment in the comments section.

Enjoy the show!

Your host and curator,

Brian

 

Audioeclectica Radio Episode 4:

Live Review: Neurosis, Converge and Amenra at The Fonda

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There are certain bands that when they come through town you have to go see live. It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve seen them or if it’s your first time, it’s imperative that you be there. Especially when you have a tour line up as special as Neurosis, Converge and Amenra. I’ve had the great pleasure of seeing Neurosis and Converge many times before, and now I finally got the chance to see Amen Ra. Tour packages like this are not only astonishing but they leave those in attendance in a state of awe and some inspired to create. There is a reason why all three of these bands have reached the “legendary” status. Their live shows, songs/albums, and general approach to their fans makes it all worth while.
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Album Rank: Neurosis

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Neurosis is one of my all time favorite bands. They are legends and their influence stretches across many genres. They are also one of those bands that has always stuck to their guns and made the albums that they wanted to, without compromising their artistic integrity. Since their inception, Neurosis have released 11 full length studio albums, all of which deserve your attention. Here are their albums ranked from not the best to the best.

 

Pain of Mind:

 

Enemy Of The Sun:

 

The Word As Law:

 

Given To The Rising:

 

The Eye Of Every Storm:

 

 

Fires Within Fires:

 

Honor Found In Decay:

 

Souls At Zero:

 

Through Silver And Blood:

 

A Sun That Never Sets:

 

Times Of Grace:

 

 

Song Battle: The Cure vs Nine Inch Nails vs Neurosis- Burn

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I’m having a lot of fun doing these same name song battles. It’s been really cool to hear all the responses as to which song you all dig more. Yesterday, while I was stuck in traffic, 3 different songs entitled “Burn” came up on my iPod. Naturally, this was a sign that I should do a song battle for these great songs. I present to you three songs entitled “Burn” by The Cure, Neurosis, and Nine Inch Nails.

Which one do you think is best?

 

The Cure- Burn:

 

Neurosis- Burn:

 

Nine Inch Nails- Burn: