Neurosis – Honor Found In Decay (2012)

As one of the most versatile and influential bands in Metal, Neurosis returns with yet another amazing release that tests the sonic limits of Metal (and all the other influences they merge) for over 60 minutes of brilliantly crafted music. With their creativity intact, “Honor Found In Decay” marks another outstanding release by Neurosis that even after a five-year absence (since their last record that is) they sound as fresh and as current as ever.

Opening with the excellent “We All Rage in Gold”, the band delivers their characteristic Sludge-infused guitar riffs but with an interesting Post-Metal/Rock-ish guitar layers. The bass guitar is very present and nicely guiding alongside the perfectly crafted drumming. After setting the mood brilliantly, Neurosis continues with the mysterious “At The Well”. In this track we have a slower start to things that is greatly carried by the combination of vocals from Scott Kelly and Steve Von Till. The riffing erupts and when combined with tribal-esque drumming we get the traditional Neurosis sonic brutality in full swing. Constantly changing tempos really make this song quite a delightful experience.

The 11-minute epic “My Heart For Deliverance” has a very cool Post-Metal vibe mixed in with some very crushing heavy riffing. We particularly enjoy this song because it flows majestically and delivers in all the right moments. With a ritualistic edge, “Bleeding The Pigs” has the band pushing the sonic boundaries with very cool atmospheric event and downright creepy raspy vocals. Our favorite track is the mystical “Casting of The Ages” and its raw feeling. This track really keeps the album flowing in a less aggressive manner, but with the typical Neurosis aural dominance.

The chaotic “All is Found…In Time” has a very experimental beginning, but it nicely shapes up with Sludgy guitars and very subtle drumming. As the song progresses we have a few ups and downs but the funky fuzzy guitar work takes center stage and delivers another excellent track. Closing the album very strongly with “Raise the Dawn”, Neurosis really makes it clear why they are such a unique band and every release they put out is a true musical journey from start to finish, as evident in the very odd yet awesome final breath.

As with any Neurosis release, you need more than several spins before the little intricacies of the music start to really reveal themselves. “Honor Found In Decay” is another notch of achievement in a phenomenal music career for the band, and we can’t wait to have the experience of seeing it come to life in one of the band’s unique live shows. If you are a fan of the band, you surely have this release on pre-order and should be more eager to get your hands on it since it’s beyond excellent. For the occasional listener, that has never heard of Neurosis (can any self-respecting Metal fan have managed to not heard of the yet?), should approach this release with ease and be ready to be blown away in a sonic and intelligent manner rather than with flair and fluff.

Release: October 30th, 2012

Genre: Post-Metal / Post-Hardcore / Sludge Metal / Ambient

Country: USA