Neurosis

Live in Brooklyn (2015)

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It can be hard to remember Neurosis got there start in the punk scene if you just go by the live show. The band played Brooklyn's Warsaw on August 9, 2015.

For the show, the band focused on their most recent material. The set contained nothing pre 1996, but that still gave them almost 20 years of material to work with from there almost 30 years of releases. If you look at the band members other projects though, like Sleep, Christ On Parade, Kicker and Jesus Fucking Christ, it's easy to see why the crowd is half metal head and half punk. The set list itself did show a certain punk rock influence, even if the live songs were more in the metal realm.

They played around two hours for an almost sold out crowd, but only did nine songs, so this probably isn't for anyone who just wants quick ramonescore style songs, but there is a certain speed to the songs that makes me thinks Circle Jerk fans would be able to pay attention. Throughout the show, the band was very technical, very melodic, and very pummeling all at the same time. It was interesting as to how the band blended their sheer heaviness with an inherent melody, which I haven't sen in many other bands, if any at all.

Anyone that wants to scratch the surface of the punk/metal crossover that isn't just thrash, you could do way worse than starting with Neurosis, who are easily one of the best in that scene and show it live. There was almost no down time between songs, generally with some light keyboards or single guitar notes to keep things going, and while no one was jumping around onstage or in the crowd, no one lost there energy all night either.

Set List:
A Sun That Never Sets
Locust Star
Distill (Watching the Swarm)
At the Well
The Doorway
My Heart For Deliverance
Times of Grace
The Tide
Through Silver in Blood