''Given to the Rising'' is the ninth
studio album
An album is a collection of audio recordings issued on compact disc (CD), Phonograph record, vinyl, audio tape, or another medium such as Digital distribution#Music, digital distribution. Albums of recorded sound were developed in the early ...
by American band
Neurosis, released on June 5, 2007. The album is available in a standard
jewel case, a limited-edition
digipak
Optical disc packaging is the packaging that accompanies CDs, DVDs, and other formats of optical discs. Most packaging is rigid or semi-rigid and designed to protect the media from scratches and other types of exposure damage.
Jewel case
A ...
, and a limited-edition double
LP, all with the same track list. ''
Decibel Magazine'' listed ''Given to the Rising'' as the 76th-best metal album of the decade.
Neurosis Biography
/ref> A DVD documentary is also available from Neurot Records
Neurot Recordings is an American independent record label founded by members of avant-garde metal band Neurosis in 1999. Gradually expanding, it has showcased a variety of artists including a number of sludge metal, post-rock, and noise bands.
...
. The artwork for the album, designed by Josh Graham, is a mixture of photos from Heroes Square
Heroes or Héroes may refer to:
* Hero, one who displays courage and self-sacrifice for the greater good
Film
* ''Heroes'' (1977 film), an American drama
* ''Heroes'' (2008 film), an Indian Hindi film
Gaming
* ''Heroes of Might and Magic'' ...
in Budapest
Budapest (, ; ) is the capital and most populous city of Hungary. It is the ninth-largest city in the European Union by population within city limits and the second-largest city on the Danube river; the city has an estimated population ...
and drawings inspired by the place. Coincidentally, singer/guitarist Steve Von Till and Josh Graham had separately thought of the idea of using Heroes Square as the artwork for the album.
Musical style
The album has been described by music critics as a more aggressive, heavier album than their recent previous output, showcasing a "more direct and hard-hitting approach", resulting in "their heaviest record since 99's 'Times Of Grace
Times of Grace is an American Heavy metal music, heavy metal band formed in Southampton, Massachusetts. The group consists of Adam Dutkiewicz (Killswitch Engage) and Jesse Leach (Killswitch Engage, The Empire Shall Fall, and Seemless) while guit ...
'".
Critical reception
The album received critical acclaim upon release. In D. Shawn Bosler's review of the album for '' Pitchfork'', he described it as "their best album in a decade." AllMusic
AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databas ...
's Thom Jurek praised it as "one hell of an album, better than anyone had any right to expect, and one of the high moments in a career filled with them. Neurosis have no need of caricatures or "more evil than thou" posturing. They are in a league of their own, and from the sounds of ''Given to the Rising'', will remain there for some time."
Track listing
Personnel
;Neurosis
* Scott Kelly – vocals, guitar
* Dave Edwardson – bass, backing vocals
* Jason Roeder – drums, percussions
* Steve Von Till – guitar, vocals
* Noah Landis – keyboards, synthesizers, effects, backing vocals
;Technical personnel
* Steve Albini – production, mastering
* John Graham – artwork
Chart performance
References
{{Authority control
2007 albums
Neurosis (band) albums
Neurot Recordings albums
Albums produced by Steve Albini