This is a Neurosis record through and through. Given to the Rising ultimately destroys any notion that this long running, innovative band are getting soft. Recorded in a very brief six days with long time recording collaborator Steve Albini, this album is an experiment of sorts for the band. Neurosis continues to take steps forward in the evolution of their sound, but this record is heavy like previous albums Times of Grace and Through Silver in Blood. This brings the level of visceral emotion even higher. Given to the Rising is not a consistent bludgeoning. Neurosis continues to play with dynamics, and, I might be crazy, but this record seems much noisier than they have been as of late.
The album hits hard to start. "Given to the Rising" has a sweeping opening that threatens to take the listener almost immediately. Neurosis breaks with their normal opening formula of an instrumental and, instead, leads off with an intriguing opening track that plays opposites both in the emotional sound of dynamics and in the heaviness and softness. They employ these contrasts to great effect. The keyboard sound is good and draws my ears to it frequently over the course of the song. The title track ebbs and flows at a measured pace as the band does not rush their composition at all but rather allows it to take a very organic feeling course. The tension that "Fear and Sickness" generates is thick. It is full of oppressive noise that gives of the feeling of slowly fraying nerves that are about to finally give. The noise and other sounds that Neurosis put to tape on this song lend an air of claustrophobia and brooding dementia. If ever there was a soundtrack to paranoia, this song is it; it is definitely the mood.
Given to the Rising does give the listener a chance to breath with "To the Wind." The guitar sounds are great. There is a strange spoken word section of the song that seemingly comes out of nowhere that is followed by a triumphant sounding arrangement. It works well and creates a diverse overall sound to the track. The measured "At the End of the Road" begins as one might imagine as the soundtrack for the aftermath of the apocalypse. Feedbacking guitars, an ambient hum, and the pounding drums let the listener know that this is Neurosis through and through. As the guitar begins to play, the notes sound like an eerie clarion call for the survivors of a post apocalyptic landscape. The vocals do nothing to dissuade that image either. When the band drops the proverbial hammer, you can envision those survivors being wiped out by some malevolent force. The heavy and slow trudge that the song displays in the beginning of the track gives way to an explosive and hard-hitting cacophony.
I find myself immensely enjoying the sounds of "Hidden Faces". The song just seems to hit me the right way. It is subtle, but still has its moments of loud abandon. I do have to admit, that "Water is not Enough" is my favorite song on Given to the Rising. Its droning arrangements capture my full attention. The vocal parts are nicely woven together giving the track an even more eerie timbre. The break at about the mid point of the song is great. I love the way that everything drops out but the last throws of the vocal and the droning guitar. The re-entrance of the full band is enhanced a great deal with this effect. The noisiness of this part is crazy; the shrill sound washes are brilliant.
The snare hits in "Distill (Watching the Swarm)" propel the pace of the song along at a breakneck speed (for Neurosis anyway). While listening to it, I cannot help but think if this is a veiled nod to their progeny Isis who have been known to utilize the imagery of the swarm and sounds that push that point across. Neurosis generates a similar musical palette in this song that seems more a tribute or acknowledgement than anything else. The quiet menace of "Origin" builds with a slow intensity. Its quiet parts do little to mask the swirling sound underneath. The suspense is unbearable as you keep waiting for the band to unleash its full force one last time before the album ends. The payoff is that much more satisfying when the band does just that.
The artwork for Given to the Rising is a stark and ominous. The dark tones and clean lines of the photography are crisp and striking. The insert card has a Jack London quote that further illustrates the constant drive and fire of which Neurosis has a seemingly never ending well. The limited edition digipack is set up similar to that of a gatefold LP. It is sharp looking.
While listening to Given to the Rising, the recording reminds me of why I find myself admiring Neurosis so much. Their aesthetic, their work ethic, their unflinching desire to create on their own terms all are strong and a testament to their body of work and their staying power. Given to the Rising maintains their reputation for creating challenging pieces of music that take a long while to digest. It is an excellent record that is wholly satisfying.
