Neurosis (band)

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Neurosis

Neurosis performing in Seattle, Washington, 2008.
Background information
Origin Oakland, California, US
Genres Post-metal, sludge metal, doom metal, industrial metal, experimental, avant-garde metal, hardcore punk (early)
Years active 1985–present
Labels Neurot, Relapse, Alternative Tentacles, Lookout!, Alchemy, Your Choice
Associated acts Neurosis & Jarboe, Tribes of Neurot, Red Sparowes, A Storm of Light, Battle of Mice, Sleep
Website www.neurosis.com
Members Scott Kelly
Steve Von Till
Dave Edwardson
Noah Landis
Jason Roeder
Past members Adam G. Kendall
Pete Inc.
Simon McIlroy
Chad Salter
Pete Rypins
Josh Graham

Neurosis is a post-metal band, based in Oakland, California. They formed in 1985 as a hardcore punk band, and their sound progressed towards a doom metal style that also included influences from dark ambient and industrial music as well as incorporating elements of folk music. Terrorizer Magazine described Neurosis as "arguably the most influential band of the past two decades."[1]

History

Formation and early years (1985-1995)

In late 1985, Scott Kelly, Dave Edwardson and Jason Roeder (formerly members of Violent Coercion) founded the band as a hardcore punk outfit, borrowing from British crust punk like Amebix.[2]

In 1986 Chad Salter was added on second guitar, and in 1990, Simon McIlroy joined the band as a synthesizer/sampler. There have only been a few changes in the lineup of Neurosis's musicians since the band's inception. In 1989 Chad Salter was replaced by Steve Von Till, and in 1995 Noah Landis, a childhood friend of Dave Edwardson, replaced Simon McIlroy.

With The Word as Law, Neurosis began to transition[3] from the hardcore punk of Pain of Mind to the more experimental sound of Souls at Zero, which would ultimately form the basis for post-metal.[4] Neurosis' signature sound came into full force with Enemy of the Sun, with The Quietus observing that "at the time few could have predicted this black hole of agonizingly precise metal riffs, unnerving backmasking, industrial folkisms and extensive sampling".[3]

Through Silver in Blood to A Sun That Never Sets (1996-2004)

In 1996, Neurosis attracted mainstream attention with its Relapse Records debut, Through Silver in Blood and subsequent tour with Pantera.[5] In 1999, Neurosis released Times of Grace, which was designed to be played synchronously with Grace, an album released by Neurosis' ambient side project, Tribes of Neurot.

In the early 2000s, the band founded their own independent record label, Neurot Recordings, which, in addition to releasing material from Neurosis and its associated projects, signed several other artists.

Beginning with A Sun That Never Sets, Neurosis began incorporating clean vocals and acoustic instrumentation into its sound. Allmusic described this change as an "aesthetic sea change".[6] 2004's The Eye of Every Storm expanded upon this change by incorporating more slow moments and ambient textures into the mix.

Recent Activity (2007-Present)

With Given to the Rising (2007), Neurosis re-incorporated a more aggressive approach into their music once again.[7]

The band entered the studio in December 2011 to record the follow up to Given to the Rising. The new album, entitled Honor Found in Decay was released in late October 2012.[8]

Visuals

From 1990 to 1993, Adam G. Kendall was recruited to create 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. Josh Graham took over live visuals in early 2000 as Pete wasn't "cutting the mustard" (in the words of Steve Von Till), and created album artwork for 2004's The Eye of Every Storm, 2007's Given to the Rising, and 2012's Honor Found in Decay, as well as re-designs for the reissues of Souls at Zero and Enemy of the Sun. Graham and Neurosis amicably parted ways in late November 2012 via an announcement on the band website.[9]

Often experimental and psychedelic in nature, the visuals have added to the reputation of Neurosis' live performances. Many of the visuals for their tours supporting Through Silver in Blood can be found in Ken Russell's film Altered States. Other images are included in the enhanced portion of the Sovereign mini album, and on the A Sun That Never Sets DVD video release. The majority of the DVD release was directed by Josh Graham, with an additional video by Chad Rullman.

Influences

Neurosis have cited Swans, Hank Williams, Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, Black Sabbath, King Crimson, Black Flag, Hawkwind, Joy Division, Rudimentary Peni, Celtic Frost, Melvins, Die Kreuzen, Killing Joke, Amebix, and Voivod[10][11] as inspirational. Neurosis have also alluded to the work of Philip K. Dick, Ingmar Bergman, Jack London, Paul Bowles, and Cormac McCarthy.[12]

Band members

Current members

Former members

  • Chad "Gator Tofu" Salter — vocals, guitars (1985–1989)
  • Adam Kendall — visual artist (1990–1993)
  • Simon McIlroy — synthesizer, samples (1990–1994)
  • Pete Inc. — visual artist, drums (1993–2000)
  • Jackie Perez Gratz — cello (1999–2000)
  • Josh Graham — visual artist (2000–2012)

Discography

Studio albums

7" singles/EPs

Splits

Live albums

Video/DVD

Side projects

Neurosis at Tuska Open Air Metal Festival, Finland in 2009.
  • 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 formerly featuring Josh Graham, as he departed the group early 2008.
  • A Storm of Light - A heavy/drone/experimental/rock band featuring Josh Graham.
  • Battle of Mice - A post hardcore band featuring Josh Graham.
  • Harvestman - an ambient/industrial side band featuring Steve Von Till.
  • Violent Coercion - pre-Neurosis Hardcore/punk band with Scott Kelly on guitar, Dave Edwardson on bass and Jason Roeder on drums.
  • Jesus Fucking Christ - A heavy punk/thrash band reminiscent of Pain of Mind-era Neurosis featuring Dave Edwardson on bass and vocals.
  • Kicker - A '77 punk/UK82 band featuring Dave Edwardson on bass and Pete the Roadie, former Neurosis roadie, on vocals.
  • Shrinebuilder- A stoner metal "super group" featuring Scott Kelly

References

  1. ↑ Santos, José Carlos (September 2009). Terrorizer Magazine (188): 40. 
  2. ↑ Mikkelson, Jill (July 2007). "Neurosis Are Insulated". Exclaim.ca. Retrieved 26 May 2013. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Gardner, Noel (10 August 2009). "The Quietus Looks Back At The Career Of Dynamic Metallic Neurosis". The Quietus. Retrieved 26 May 2013. 
  4. ↑ Norton, Justin M. "Neurosis - 'Souls At Zero'". About.com. Retrieved 26 May 2013. "Souls At Zero was a game-changing album, not just for Neurosis but for the entire metal genre. It's one of the records where the rules were changed and a new order established" 
  5. ↑ Ehrbar, Joe (31 January 1997). "Dose Of Neurosis Opening For Pantera On Monday". The Spokesman-Review. Spokane, WA. Retrieved 23 January 2012. 
  6. ↑ Kennedy, Patrick. "Neurosis: A Sun That Never Sets". Allmusic. Retrieved 26 May 2013. 
  7. ↑ Jurek, Thom. "Neurosis: Given to the Rising". Allmusic. Retrieved 26 May 2013. "There is an aggression here that seems to have been kept in restraint for a few years and has returned now to claim its proper place." 
  8. ↑ "Neurosis: Title Of Tenth Full-Length From Musical Pioneers Revealed". Earsplit. 13 August 2012. Retrieved 26 May 2013. 
  9. ↑ "Neurosis Begins New Chapter". Official Neurosis Blog. 27 November 2012. Retrieved 26 May 2013. 
  10. ↑ Anthony Bartkewicz, Decibel Magazine No. 31, May 2007. Access date: June 18, 2008
  11. ↑ Samudrala, Ram (17 October 2000). "Q&A with Scott Kelly of Neurosis". Retrieved 18 June 2008. 
  12. ↑ Hesselink, Jasper. "Interview with Neurosis". Lords of Metal. Retrieved 9 July 2008. 

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