Neurosis – Soveriegn – CD

Description

For the last 26 years, Neurosis has tapped into the elusive wellspring where resonance and dissonance collude, circling emotional poles where nothing is withheld, where the psyche screams for answers to EarthÕs ancient mysteries. Originally unveiled in 2000, the four-song, 32-minute Sovereign EP was the first Neurosis release issued through the bandÕs own Neurot Recordings, with the vinyl appearing via Hydra Head. In chronological terms, Sovereign served as a millennial segue between two of the bandÕs most revered full-lengths, 1999Õs Times of Grace and 2001Õs A Sun That Never Sets. Opener ÒPrayerÓ sets the omnipotent tone for all that follows. A master-class in deep dynamics, the song ascends from its quiet beginnings into a rolling, hypnotic power-dirge couched in a bone-rattling rhythm. ÒAn OfferingÓ brings arsenic visions of EdenÑor at least of the ruinous snake and the tree of knowledge around which it infamously coiled. The instrumental ÒFloodÓ is a veritable drum cannonade. And, clocking in at over 13 minutes in length, ÒSovereignÓ offers perhaps the widest variety of textures, tones and instrumental undulations. Under headphones, it is a psychotropic experience of the highest order. ÑJ. Bennett (Decibel)