Venturing outside of London in the first time in over a generation, Oakland C.A.’s Neurosis reputation in the live arena has always gone before them, yet tonight anticipation has reached a fever pitch.
Opening proceeding is the one man, feel bad trip that is atmospheric electro act The Haxan Cloak. Bathed in strobe lights so the pulsing rhythms and droning bass occupies centre stage. Feeling more at home with the Bristol trip hop scene than any of the drone metal alumni and while one shadowy figure doesn’t make for compelling viewing, the nocturnal desolation serves as a fittingly uneasy warm up.
It’s shocking the venue failed to sell-out in advance but no one would know considering how tightly packed together the audience is.
The towering tribal rhythms of Jason Roeder’s drumming usher in ‘A Sun That Never Sets’ sends the devoted into a spiral of ecstasy in which they remain until the final droning note has fell silent. A truly spiritual experience in many ways the claustrophobic anguish and unencumbered aggression that is ‘Locust Star’ is delivered with equal passion given to numbers from 2012’s ‘Honor Found In Decay’ opus.
Utterly transfixed despite the oppressive temperature inside the venue the anguish, vulnerability and feelings of empowerment capture the audience in a way so few acts can muster. The juxtaposition of haunting ambiance and titanic heaviness gives the set an organic and emotional connection which far surpasses the feeling of watching a band perform a few greatest hits. ‘The Tide’ is awe-inspiring, its tranquil beginnings rise to a climax of devastating proportions. It’s orchestral feel stands a perfect contrast of the venomous delivery of ‘Bleed The Pigs’ where Scott Kelly’s visceral delivery would suggest he requires an exorcism to remedy the pain.
When many of their peers have petered out or lack their original intensity Neurosis have grown like a great redwood tree, becoming more gnarled, dynamic and grander than before.
As a gargantuan rendition of ‘The Doorway’ and ‘Stones From The Sky’ end tonight’s vespertine sermon there can be no doubt that this seminal group remains at the peak of their powers.
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Neurosis Set List:
A Sun That Never Sets
Locust Star
At the Well
We All Rage in Gold
From the Hill
The Tide
Water Is Not Enough
My Heart for Deliverance
Bleeding the Pigs
The Doorway
Stones from the Sky
WORDS BY ROSS BAKER