Biography

Introduction

Neurosis is an experimental metal band, based in Oakland, California. Their unique sound draws from influences ranging from hardcore punk and doom metal to dark ambient and industrial music as well as incorporating elements of indie and folk music. The band is highly regarded as the primary pioneer of its genre, sometimes referred to as post-metal. Critic Brian Russ has described them as "atmospheric hardcore".

History

In late 1985, Scott Kelly and Dave Edwardson (formerly members of Violent Coercion) founded the band as a hardcore outfit, borrowing from British crust punk. It has gradually progressed through a variety of styles, arriving at a mixture of heavy metal and acoustic, minimalistic ambiance which has proved influential on the doom metal scene.

From 1990 to 1993, Adam G. Kendall was recruited to create the visuals and perform live with the band. Following his departure from touring, Pete Inc. took over the job, although Kendall continued to contribute visuals for the band until as late as 1997. Kendall also shot the footage for the "Locust Star" video. Josh Graham took over live visuals in early 2000, and is still with the band to date, having also done album artwork for 2004's The Eye of Every Storm and 2007's Given to the Rising.

Often experimental and psychedelic in nature, the visuals have added to the reputation of Neurosis' live performances. Many of the visuals for their tours supporting Through Silver in Blood can be found in Ken Russell's film Altered States. Other images are included in the enhanced portion of the Sovereign mini album, and on the A Sun That Never Sets DVD video release. The majority of the DVD release was directed by Josh Graham, with an additional video by Chad Rullman.

Additionally, the band have founded their own independent record label, Neurot Recordings, which, in addition to releasing material from Neurosis and its associated projects, has since become home to several innovative musicians.

Influences

Neurosis have cited Hank Williams, Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, Black Sabbath, King Crimson, Black Flag, Hawkwind, Joy Division, Rudimentary Peni, Celtic Frost, Melvins, Die Kreuzen, Amebix and Voivod as inspirational.

Neurosis have also alluded to the work of Philip K. Dick, Jack London, Paul Bowles, and Cormac McCarthy.

Members

Scott Kelly - guitar, vocals (Tribes of Neurot, Blood and Time, Shrinebuilder; previously in Violent Coercion)
Steve Von Till - guitar, vocals (Tribes of Neurot, Culper Ring, Harvestman)
Dave Edwardson - bass guitar, keyboards, synthesizer, vocals (Tribes of Neurot, The Enemies, I Am Spoonbender, Jesus Fucking Christ; previously in Violent Coercion)
Noah Landis - organ, piano, samples (Tribes of Neurot, Blood and Time; previously in Christ On Parade)
Jason Roeder - drums (Tribes of Neurot)
Josh Graham - visual artist (Tribes of Neurot, ex-Red Sparowes, Battle of Mice, A Storm of Light, Blood and Time)

Discography

Albums

Pain of Mind LP (1987, Alchemy Records)
The Word as Law LP/CD (1990, Lookout! Records)
Souls at Zero LP/CD (1992, Alternative Tentacles)
Enemy of the Sun LP/CD (1993, Alternative Tentacles)
Through Silver in Blood LP/CD (1996, Relapse Records)
Times of Grace LP/CD (1999, Relapse Records)
A Sun that Never Sets LP/CD (2001, Relapse Records)
The Eye of Every Storm LP/CD (2004, Neurot Recordings/Relapse Records)
Given to the Rising LP/CD (2007, Neurot Recordings)

7" singles/EPs

Black 7"EP (1986, bootleg)
Aberration 7"EP (1989, Lookout Records)
Empty 7"EP (1990, Allied Records)
Empty 7"EP (1991, reissue in Germany on Your Choice Records)
The Doorway/Threshold 7"EP (1999, Relapse Records)
Sovereign MCD (2000, Neurot Recordings)

Splits

Locust Star (split w Tribes of Neurot) MCD (1996, Relapse Records)
In These Black Days (split w/ Soilent Green) 7"EP (1999, Hydrahead Records)
Neurosis & Jarboe LP/CD (2003, Neurot Recordings)

Official bootlegs

Live in Lyon CD (2002, Neurot Recordings)
Live in Stockholm CD (2003, Neurot Recordings)

Video/DVD

A Sun that Never Sets DVD (2002, Relapse Records, Neurot Recordings)

Reissues

Pain of Mind CD (1994, Alternative Tentacles)
Souls at Zero + Enemy of the Sun 2XCD (1997, Iron City Records)
Pain of Mind 2XCD (2000, Neurot Recordings)
Souls at Zero CD (2000, Neurot Recordings)
Enemy of the Sun CD (2000, Neurot Recordings)
Through Silver in Blood CD (2009, Neurot Recordings)

Side projects

Neurosis & Jarboe a collaboration between Neurosis and Jarboe
Tribes of Neurot - The "alter ego" of Neurosis; a collective of musicians that create dark ambient and noise music.
Blood and Time - An acoustic side project of Neurosis with apocalyptic folk overtones.
Culper Ring - A brief side project of Neurosis experimenting with dark ambient and industrial music.
Red Sparowes - A group formerly featuring Josh Graham, as he departed the group early 2008.
A Storm of Light - A heavy/drone/experimental/rock band featuring Josh Graham.
Harvestman - an ambient/industrial side band featuring Steve Von Till.
Violent Coercion - pre-Neurosis Hardcore/punk band with Scott Kelly on guitar and Dave Edwardson on bass.
Jesus Fucking Christ - A heavy punk/thrash band very reminiscent of Pain of Mind-era Neurosis featuring Dave Edwardson on bass and vocals.