With their 11th studio album set to be released this year (12th including the album they did with Jarboe), and many other releases made as Tribes of Neurot along with various side project; the past 30 years of Neurosis have been a redefining time in music. I think Steve Albini was right when said from the stage on Saturday night in that music, particularly heavy music, can somewhat be categorized as before Neurosis and after Neurosis. Genres have never done justice in describing their musical output, sure it has given an idea of aspects of their sound over the years, but as it’s put in a biography penned by Oxbow’s singer/accomplished writer Eugene S. Robinson, “Neurosis is music”.
Over a roughly 6-hour span, Neurosis came together with many friends and family as well as fans alike to celebrate their storied history as a band of uncompromising musicians. Rarely, will you find even one original member remaining in a band formed five years ago. After forming in 1985, the original three members being guitarist/vocalist Scott Kelly, bassist Dave Edwardson, and drummer Jason Roeder played alongside their fellow longtime members guitarist/vocalist Steve Von Till and keyboardist/electronics contributor Noah Landis. Obviously, there is no amount of significance added to one individual for spending one more year in the band; but the fact that this five-piece lineup has been consistent for at least 20 of the 30-year history created by these gentlemen collectively is amazing.
Here is a list of the songs played over the 3 nights:
Lost, Times of Grace, To What End?, Pain of Mind, Left to Wander, At The Well, the Tide, Water is Not Enough, Takeahnase, Stones from the Sky, Through Silver in Blood, Self-Taught Infection, An Offering, The Day of the Lords, To Crawl Under One’s Skin, Locust Star, Eye, Grey, Life on Your Knees, Pollution, Distill, The Web, We All Rage in Gold, Cold Ascending, No River to Take me Home, Blisters, Double-Edged Sword, Given to the Rising, The Doorway.
4 songs from Pain of Mind, 1 from Aberration, 4 from the Word as Law, 3 from Souls at Zero, 2 from Enemy of the Sun, 3 from Through Silver in Blood, 2 from Times of Grace, 1 from Sovereign, 2 from A Sun that Never Sets, 2 from the Eye of Every Storm, 3 from Given to the Rising, and 2 from Honor Found in Decay.
How they pieced such an amazing set together is completely beyond me. Are there songs that would have been maybe been requested, had the opportunity been given to fans, that were left out? Sure, but that’s always going to happen. Considering their playing style has changed quite a bit, I found that the songs both from Pain of Mind as well as the Word as Law were particularly special to see performed. These songs were written and recorded by a much younger incarnation of Neurosis, and hearing them now; the songs haven’t lost anything and have only gained strength in the experience that the band now has.
I can’t express enough gratitude to Scott, Steve, Dave, Jason, and Noah - Neurosis as a band of individuals who have left a significant mark of influence upon me. I want to thank their tour manager, Paula, offering me hospitality when I interviewed Scott and Steve; many thanks to all the photographers I shot alongside as well as the videographers who I’m especially grateful were in attendance to document such amazing shows. Thanks to Dave & Liz of Earsplit PR for arranging opportunities like this for me to support some of my favorite bands, and I also want to thank the collective fan base of Neurosis for coming out in very visible support of dedicated musicians.
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