Sludge/Post Metal
USA

Released 20th of March, 2026

After a decade-long wait, the Oakland outfit garner us with their twelfth studio full-length.

NEUROSIS are one of the many bands that started out playing music on the more extreme side of the spectrum, but one of the few where changing artistic tact saw greater rewards.
Like their peers, Corrosion Of Conformity, Napalm Death, Carcass and, to some extent John Baizley of Baroness, a move to more complex music has served them well, and with this, NEUROSIS’ latest offering, one that tips them toward greater esteem.

As mentioned, it’s been ten years since the release of Fires within Fires and we should address the biggest change between then and this, their latest album, AN UNDYING LOVE FOR A BURNING WORLD. That being the replacement of singer/guitarist Scott Kelly for former ISIS frontman, Aaron Turner.
I won’t go on about Scott’s unsavoury departure (although he has now retired from music and maintaining a suitable low profile since 2022), but I will say that Aaron is the sort of serendipitous choice for a replacement.

The main reason we are here is this latest offering from the other side of the Bay area, and an area that gets overlooked.
Most famously for being the home of Machine Head and High On Fire to name but two, NEUROSIS evolved a sound adopted from their Seattle neighbours and delivered something both unique and profound.
Where, further east, bands like Baroness steadfastly morphed into more progressive attitudes, this new offering from NEUROSIS is a sharp shock and artistic schism, due mainly to the ten year gap.

AN UNDYING LOVE FOR A BURNING WORLD is one of those albums that the proginators had in their minds all along. It is the formulation of a master plan made reality.
Straight away, we are confronted with a spoken word, nihilistic commentary of our failings as a race, that becomes a musical montage of bi-polar shifts between beauty and angst.
I am reminded (maybe caused by the gap between albums) of bands like Stake and MWWB for bringing some cerebral elements to a usual sludge/doom sound. It is with caretakers like that, that the originators can reclaim their seats comfortably within the introspective dome that surrounds this more progressive soundtrack of dissonance and self awareness.

At times, I am reminded of Pink Floyd at their most artistic. Other times I am at awe of the emotional heft brought forth, like Sikth at their most exploratory.
Have I not singled out specific tracks?
That’s purposeful. Like mentioned before, this is one of those “whole” albums where a single track cannot do the album justice on a segregated scale.

There is no picking or choosing.
One enters at one’s one risk, and should come out better. Bolder and cleansed by its non formulaic approach.

We all need a break from the really heavy now and then, and NEUROSIS have given us this without letting the listener stray too far from the path
AN UNDYING LOVE FOR A BURNING WORLD is a new benchmark in imagination and experimentation.

AN UNDYING LOVE FOR A BURNING WORLD by NEUROSIS is out now, via Neurot Recordings, and available to stream from all major platforms.

Also available on digital and physical formats over at the Neurosis Bandcamp, click HERE.