Cory Collier

While I’m admittedly a huge fan of Florida Death Metal, I do listen to a variety of music. I can’t count the number of times I’ve been pigeon-holed into being a ‘death-metal guy’. To be fair, I often play the role, because sometimes, being predictable can mean being acceptable.

Regardless, I’ve always been a big fan of Neurosis. I first heard of them when they were touring second stage on Ozzfest in 1997. They were touring in support of their landmark album, Through Silver in Blood. I saw them live, and it’s still one the best live performances I’ve ever seen.

Recently I was at a Death Metal show in Orlando, and the singer for Success Will Write Apocalypse Across The Sky (SWWAATS), John Collett, cued me in that Neurosis had a new album out. Within a couple days I picked it up, and I can say with certainty that it’s awesome.

No band I’ve ever heard can strike such a nerve in my psyche as Neurosis. The album is filled with songs that seem to talk directly to who I am, underneath all of my inhibitions and social adaptations. I know it sounds like a big wad of crap, but I can’t begin to mention how much this band means to me.

The band is eclectic, to say the least. Neurosis has been around for over 20 years. Neurosis is also regularly regarded as one of the most influential bands in modern music.  Steve Albini (Helmet, Fugazi, Nirvana, countless others), has been the producer for a long time now. His ability to make something coherent out of the band has been incredible.

Anyways, if you’re in the mood for something very different, I very highly recommend picking up the new album, Given to the Rising.