When Neurosis released Word As Law in 1989 every record I owned instantly turned into trite crap. This transitional effort bridges the band's early crusty hardcore approach with it's vast later collection of epic, genre defying, halloween soundtracks. It's not uncommon to meet a diehard Neurosis fan that doesn't know their early work. :( Well we're gonna fuckin' change that! :) Word As Law is not as fast or sloppy as their first record and not as heavy or layered as their later work. Instead expect mid tempo, bass driven punk with the standard signature Neurosis tri-vocals and noisy, but diligent guitars (imagine the Minutemen on bath salts). These songs are constructed in a manner that hallmarks the bands intuitive feel without becoming jammy or wanky. Though the production seemed very metal at the time, in retrospect, there isn't another record on earth that sounds remotely like it. I'll always have a ton of respect for these guys, but this was the high point for me. Become machine!
