Eye of Every Storm

Neurosis | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 29, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Neurot Recordings
• ASIN: B00029LNUA
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #65,954 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 5 stars for most bands = 4 stars for Neurosis, July 10, 2004

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Wheelchair Assassin (The Great Concavity) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Eye of Every Storm (Audio CD)

After I bought this album and threw it in my car stereo, one thing quickly became clear: "The Eye of Every Storm" was not going to be a raging masterpiece on the level of "Times of Grace" or even "A Sun That Never Sets." Neurosis have never been content to follow the traditional "rules" of metal, but for this latest release they seem to have just fired the rulebook out the window. While Neurosis's previous albums were basically works of metallic ferociousness with some eerie minimalism mixed in, "The Eye of Every Storm" is an eerily minimal album with some metallic fury occasionally injected to provide a bit of catharsis. If you found the quieter moments to be the highlights of previous albums, then this one is tailor-made for you.

Even a look at the liner notes can give you a hint of what's in store. "Space"? "Atmospheres"? "Textures"? Samples? MOOG SYNTHESIZERS? On a Neurosis album? Yes, the blistering guitar-based assault of the old Neurosis is largely absent here. In addition, Steve von Till's throat-ripping scream has been almost entirely replaced by a husky, smoky baritone that might have you wondering when Neurosis decided to install Tom Waits as frontman. And while that's still Jason Roeder on drums, you shouldn't expect too much of the thunderous pounding that made John Bonham sound like a third-grader tapping pencils on a desk.

So, does all of this mean a kinder, gentler Neurosis, one that'll be touring with John Mayer next? Hardly. These guys are still more than happy to wallow in negativity and depression, and "The Eye of Every Storm" is every bit as darkly intense as previous albums. Yes, it's quieter, in many places much quieter, but Neurosis's brooding emotion hasn't disappeared; it's just evolved into a more subdued form. While I was initially disappointed that this album provided few opportunities for headbanging, my disappointment faded as I gradually discovered all the nuances and dynamics that are to be found here.

After a few listens, I was pleased to discover an album that was just as moving and powerful as its predecessors, if not as sonically overwhelming. On the eight songs here, Neurosis manage to cover more stylistic ground than most bands would even attempt in a whole career. Rarely have they mixed styles as well as they do on the musical roller coaster that is "No River to Take Me Home," a song that brings the same ear for mood and texture to metal that bands like Mogwai and Godspeed You! Black Emperor have brought to rock. The apocalyptic "Left To Wonder" is a creation of bottomless depth and symphonic sweep filled with twisted riffage and gut-wrenching vocals that would fit right in on one of the band's older albums. "Bridges" is Neurosis at their most bizarre, throwing out every convention you can think of as it incorporates piano, synthesizers, muted drumming, and moments of fuzzed-out guitar squall for some of the most brilliantly atmospheric work in this great band's catalog. And Neurosis's knack for jarring dynamics is still abundantly evident in "I Can See You" and the instrumental "Shelter," two pieces that start slowly and then kick into high gear for a searing heaviness that's all the more effective for the calm that preceded it.

While it can take some getting used to for fans of Neurosis's heavier material, "The Eye of Every Storm" is ultimately more than worth the effort. These guys still occupy their own little niche in the music world, composing multifaceted epics with an admirable disregard for what everyone else is doing. While I do miss the full frontal assault that made me want to seek shelter under my bed at times, "The Eye of Every Storm" stakes out fascinating new ground for a band that's clearly not content to rest on their laurels. As with most Neurosis material, this is a must-have album.

26 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Constantly Progressing and Still after 18 years in Top form., February 4, 2006

By 

Sunshine the Werewolf (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Eye of Every Storm (Audio CD)

NEUROSIS - The Eye of Every Storm
-
Neurosis is a band that has been progressing with each release they have done... `The Eye of Every Storm' is no exception. They started in 87' as a punk/hardcore Metal band. `Souls at Zero' came out in 92 and set a new direction which they perfected in 96 with `Through Silver and Blood'. Now in 2004 they've moved into Post-Metal territory (which they were slowly heading with `A Sun that Never Sets'-in 2001) Truth is... Not every fan will like this. Personally I do. I love bands like Pelican, Isis, (Specially their newer stuff) Red Sparowes, GY!BE, and Mogwai. More so I enjoy seeing a band that started heavy go Prog. Honestly... When bands `age' they want change, they generally have 3 choices:
#1) Progression - Bands like Opeth, and Amorphis, have taken this route and continued growing as musicians
#2) Stay the Same - Slayer has kept their general sound for decades. (Sure they've grown and matured a bit, did some lower tunings but overall still the same focus)
#3) Sell-Out - And yes of course I'm going to cite Metallica...
-So ideally progression is my preferred choice (And obviously the choice for Neurois as well)
Musically this album is `softer' in terms of Neurosis but just as dark as anything they've ever done. Steve Von Till and Scott Kelly have never sounded better, their deep beckoning voices only further an atmosphere that really could be the soundtrack to the eye of a storm... The Guitar work is subtle but effective and the Keys are more dominant on this album. Also the minimalist drumming truly helps keep the ambient feel flowing throughout the entire album.
Patience is a virtue exercised while listening to this album but it will pay off if you let the albums beauty unfold in front of you.
Honestly if you like Progressive Music, Post-Rock/Metal, or any of the bands mentioned above check this album out... Also for a heavier journey check out there back catalogue.
Favorite Songs: Burn, No River to Take Me Home, and A Season in the Sky.
-5 Stars

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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Absolute Classic "five stars +" The four stars was a typo!, April 16, 2006

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Ghostwalker "CSAF" (North Carolina) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Eye of Every Storm (Audio CD)

I've had The Eye Of Every Storm ever since it first came out, and I'm sorry I'm just now posting a review for it. I am a HUGE music fan, and my taste in music covers a wide range of artists and styles of music. This recording is one of the VERY BEST I've ever purchased period. It's actually my favorite cd of all time. This is a brilliant record, an instant classic that should be placed among the ranks of Dark Side of the Moon, but will probably never get the recognition it truly deserves. Everything about the album/cd from it's packaging, to of course the music itself sets a mood and pace that is both relaxing and somber, and keeps the listener at that level for the entire recording without any deviation what so ever. Every song is equally superb, perfectly accomplishing the mood intended for the lister. There are many other artists that I'm sure anyone who reads this review would be familiar with, that have made some great melancholy records, but NONE will come close to The Eye Of Every Storm. If you are a true fan of music, you should own this record. To all of you Neurosis fans that didn't like this album because it's not Through Silver in Blood, Take another look and listen to The Eye Of Every Storm with a different insight. I think you will come to appreciate the time, effort, and creativity that was put into this recording.