Of course, the band known as Neurosis needs no introduction, as they've been a mainstay on the heavy music scene now for over 30 years. Never one to be pigeonholed into any one category, the music of Neurosis is often times hard to classify or even comprehend, as their mix of extreme metal, noise, doom, hardcore, sludge, and experimental rock can equally please the listener as well as mystify or confuse them. Fires Within Fires is their latest and eleventh full length release, a mere five songs but ones that pack all the power that this band is known for. Opener "Bending Light" slowly crawls along with a dark, enchanting quality before the crushing sludge laden riffs come into play for a pulverizing finale. "A Shadow Memory" is another good example of their 'light & shade' approach, as the massive riffs and tortured vocals occasionally give way to moments of haunting tranquility. Booming bass & guitar riffs collide with schizoid effects on the nightmarish "Fire is the End Lesson", while "Broken Ground" is another of those back and forth mind fuckers, the band pulling the listener through every mode and tempo possible. You are either completely confused or just succumb and come along for the frightening ride. It's no surprise that the longest track finishes up the album, here in the form of "Reach", a slow, ponderous piece that just kind of squirms along for 8-minutes before the final few moments of mountainous fury just crushes everything into submission.
In the end, Fires Within Fires is another fine Neurosis record, not something you are going to pull out and play for your in-laws at a holiday dinner, but as an ominous soundtrack to a chilly night with the lights dimmed and a glass of your favorite spirit sitting close by, it will work just fine.
Track Listing
1) Bending Light
2) A Shadow Memory
3) Fire Is The End Lesson
4) Broken Ground
5) Reach
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