Review Summary: A post-apocalyptic return to form for the Oakland Sludge Metal band, and a triumphant one at that.
Neurosis is an atmospheric sludge metal band from Oakland, California. They are infamous for a psychedelic sound that pulverizes the listener slowly in a thick, mucous-like manner. This album, “An Undying Love For A Burning World” represents a new leaf and chapter for the band. After former member Scott Kelly was revealed that he admitted to emotional, financial, verbal, and physical abuse towards his family, the other members rightfully fired him and kicked him out in 2019.
“An Undying Love For A Burning World” represents purging and purifying the dark black soul of Neurosis. New replacement singer Aaron Turner of ISIS bellows and growls his vocals in a cut-throat manner, going straight for the jugular vein. The sound is terrifying and yet sedating at the same time. The album feels like a return to form in a post-COVID world, as everything in the world seems imminent for self-destruction and extinction. This album is the personification of that feeling. Songs such as “Mirror Deep” and “First Red Rays” ultimately purify any doubt of the band’s uncertainties of continuing on making music.
The Montreal Punk band “Grimskunk” (one of my favourite bands) inspired me to check this album out, as I saw one of the members wearing a t-shirt for them in a band photo. This album is superb, and will probably go down as one of the best releases of this year.
Welcome back, Neurosis.
