Through Silver in Blood (1996) – Released in 1996, their fifth studio album is still considered their masterwork. Pushing the envelope even further than its predecessor Enemy Of The Sun, it begins with the mesmerizing 12 minute title track which overlays the intense industrial intro with a heavier than thou guitar break followed by the opening bellow by Scott Kelly and Steve Von Till. Immediately, the most noticeable thing is the molasses thick atmosphere, which ebbs and flows throughout as if like a river of molten lava, this is heightened by the clanks, squeals and conveyor belt noises. It conjures images of being trapped inside some futuristic horror factory. A quite difficult album at first, but ultimately rewarding.
Times Of Grace (1999) – After the success of through silver in blood, Neurosis drafted legendary producer Steve Albini for the follow up. Albini, as it his trademark, pared down the sound, although still managing to incorporate more ambient elements, and creating a more organic sound with less of the mechanised noise. Overall it seemed as if the tone of the album was slightly brighter.
A Sun That Never Sets – Continuing to work with Steve Albini, this album marked a major departure for the band, the trademark maelstrom of guitar walls and ambient noise had been reduced, replaced by acoustic elements and clean vocals, it’s a dimension of the band unheard to that point, possibly a sign of the band mellowing out? Hardly as there is still a few moments of explosive loudness, it’s obvious the band were continuing to evolve and explore creatively.
Given To The Rising – Some fans who were alienated by A sun that never sets and The eye of every storm’s quiet moments were overjoyed by this monster. With Albini at the helm again, Neurosis recorded an album that was a return to their electric whirlwind of sound, but saying that, it’s possibly their most accessible album to date, and on a par with anything they have done before in terms of potency.
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