NEUROSIS

This was my first time seeing Neurosis. I got into the band in maybe 2006 or 2007. I was in high school back then and it was really hard for me to get into it. It was the most emotionally intense and suffocating music I'd ever heard at the time. The first album I got was Times of Grace. That album had absolutely no ray of hope. Even the instrumental passages had a sinister quality to them. I could only put that album on when I thought I could handle it, and even then it was a chore to get through the whole thing. Fast forward a few years and I absolutely love that album and the band. One thing that hasn't changed for me when listening to Neurosis is state of mind. I still have to be prepared before I put on a Neurosis album. I'll only listen to the band when I don't have to think about anything else, and I can just immerse myself.

Live, Neurosis are even more intense than on record. They're more like a force of nature than something as ordinary as a band. The visuals were captivating, and you can tell all the members of this band throw themselves 100% into the music. The set had two songs from Through Silver In Blood, one from A Sun That Never Sets, I believe four from Given To The Rising, one from Times of Grace, and one song that I think was new. I'll be going back to see them again tonight so we'll see if the set list varies.

Neurosis haven't played locally since New Years Eve 2007/8. I don't know when the next time they play will be, but I will be there.

YOB

In direct contrast to USX, YOB had only three people onstage but still sounded massive. Despite Mike being sick and some technical issues with the bass, the band still ripped through three monolithic songs and left the crowd wanting more,

U.S. Christmas

Neurot Recording artists USX open for Neurosis over two nights at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco. Their music is a kind of heavy, psychedelic Americana. There were seven people on stage which included two guitarists, two drummers, a bassist, a violinist, a percussionist and various Moog effects. I took a look at the setlist for tomorrow night and it's going to be different, and I'm going to get to hear my two favorite songs from their Eat The Low Dogs album.

AGALLOCH

Agalloch ended their West Coast mini tour in San Francisco at the Great American Music Hall. They played a set that consisted mainly of songs off Marrow Of The Spirit and Ashes Against The Grain. John from Agalloch said that it was a dream come true to play at Great American, and accurately stated that John Gossard "can't suck" at anything he does.

I was unable to get any usable shots of Allerseelen, though they were interesting.

Poster by David D'Andrea.

DISPIRIT

Local legend John Gossard and crew manifested to open for Agalloch at the Great American Music Hall December 22, 2010.

Here are a couple short clips of them playing the epic "Ixtab's Lure"