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Atmospheric sludge metal pioneers Neurosis have released their first album in a decade, An Undying Love for a Burning World, via their own Neurot Recordings label. The surprise drop arrives as a significant moment for the band, marking a new chapter following a period of internal upheaval and the departure of founding member Scott Kelly.
The album’s arrival was announced with a statement from the band, reflecting on the personal and societal struggles that fueled its creation. “We demand this, perhaps more than ever, and we suspect we are not alone,” they wrote. “The trials and tribulations in our personal lives and as a band, combined with simply trying to navigate the insanity of our society… is enough to cause you to completely lose your mind if you can’t find release or catharsis.”
An Undying Love for a Burning World is the band’s twelfth studio album and represents a pivotal shift in lineup. Kelly, who left the band in 2019 following allegations of domestic abuse – allegations he later confirmed in a 2022 statement – has been replaced by Aaron Turner, known for his work with Isis and Sumac. This marks Turner’s first full-time role with Neurosis, bringing a new dynamic to the band’s signature sound.
The album similarly stands as the first Neurosis release since the death of producer Steve Albini in 2024. Recording took place at Studio Litho in Seattle over three weekends, with mixing completed in just six days at Antisleep Audio in Oakland, according to information shared by the band. The resulting 63-minute album has been praised for its heavy, atmospheric sound, building upon the foundations laid in their previous work, including 2016’s Fires Within Fires.
New Lineup and a Return to the Stage
The addition of Aaron Turner is a key element of this new era for Neurosis. The band will showcase their evolved sound live for the first time in seven years at the Fire in the Mountains festival in Montana this July. This performance will be a significant moment for both the band and their dedicated fanbase.
The circumstances surrounding Scott Kelly’s departure were publicly addressed by Neurosis in 2022, when he admitted to “emotional, financial, verbal and physical abuse” towards his family. The band responded by stating their intolerance of his actions and announcing his dismissal in 2019, as reported by multiple sources.
Tracklist: An Undying Love for a Burning World
- We Are Torn Wide Open
- Mirror Deep
- First Red Rays
- Blind
- Seething And Scattered
- Untethered
- In The Waiting Hours
- Last Light
The release of An Undying Love for a Burning World signals a resilient return for Neurosis, navigating personal challenges and societal anxieties to deliver a powerful and emotionally charged album. The band’s statement emphasizes the necessity of creative expression as a means of survival in a turbulent world.
Looking ahead, the Fire in the Mountains festival performance will be a crucial moment for Neurosis to demonstrate their continued evolution and solidify their position as leaders in the atmospheric sludge metal genre. The band’s future direction, now guided by a new lineup and a renewed sense of purpose, promises further exploration of the themes that have defined their career.
What are your initial thoughts on the new album? Share your reactions and discuss the band’s evolution in the comments below.
