Neurosis

Given to the Rising

(Neurot)

Record Review by Adam McKibbin

Metal—with its demands on stamina, vocal cords, and anger reserves—would seem on paper to be the natural domain of younger men, but Neurosis still sound heavier than just about anyone on Given to the Rising. Over 20 years have passed since the band formed in Oakland, and they've left a deep impression on their genre, particularly among similarly independent-minded bands like Tool and ISIS. But instead of watching their descendents from the sidelines, the quintet (along with longtime engineer Steve Albini) are still contributing to the progressive metal canon.

Given to the Rising opens with its brilliant title track, a shape-shifting beast that progresses through stages of headbanging fury, bruising breakdowns, and gloomy atmospherics. "To the Wind," another standout, starts with an alluring false lull before an abrupt mood swing transforms it into one of the more punishing tracks on the album. Following the one cut worth skipping ("Nine," essentially a sound collage), "Origin"—an epic track built mostly on disquieting effects and softly sinister vocals—closes the album with one final rollercoaster ride. The song unexpectedly shrinks back from its expected detonation point, reaching the nine-minute mark before abandoning itself to the crushing crescendo that concludes the album.