Here on their tenth full-length, Oakland apocalyptic metallers NEUROSIS sound like they have nothing left to prove. In a good way: this is music so honest, so real, that it's almost uncomfortable to listen to. 'At The Well' sounds like the song this band has been striving to make for the past 15 years; the album as a whole sounds like, if it were to be their last (and I pray it's not), it would be the ultimate, perfect album to send a career off on. There are no huge divergences from the band's sound here: long, epic doom tunes that build and build and build are here in abundance, with toms pounding and spiritual epiphanies flying around left right and centre during the many quieter parts. 'My Heart For Deliverance' has melodies that most bands would kill for: they don't pander, they aren't coy, they're just obvious, right there, and Neurosis just grab them and make them theirs in the most real of ways. 'Casting Of The Ways' and 'All Is Found... In Time' are just straight-up two of the best songs this band has ever written. Okay, look: when I'm on my deathbed and someone inevitably (and inexplicably, I am dying, for Christ's sake) says to me, “quick, what band made the most powerful music of your time?” I would have no logical reason to not mutter out this band's name before closing my eyes one final time. And that would be a decision I'd be fine with, considering that when I was 16 I first discovered the power of Neurosis, and now as a 35-year-old man I still get that same indescribable feeling when I listen to them. Yes, that would be a decision I'd be fine with.
