Neurosis interview by Flox ( Fight For Your Mind ) Answers by Steve Von Till. Originally printed in Sedition Magazine France, reposted with permission.
PE: After 27 years Neurosis is releasing a new album in 2012. Can you let us know what to expect from this new comer ? Will it be the soundtrack to the end of the world ? 
Steve: Like every new work we embark on, it is the next step in our evolution, the next bend in our path. You can expect it to be honest, emotional, heavy, and beautiful. We are extremely proud and happy with the way the music has guided us. It explores some new sonic territory for us. Some of the ways we are approaching our heavy riffing is new and challenging, the keyboard sounds are really amazing and powerful and Jason is always blowing us away with his rhythms.
PE: Throughout the years Neurosis has evolved from an anarcho punk background going to a much more metallic post hardcore and experimental outlet. Have you found yourselves evolving alot through musical and life experiences that have made you trespass certain boundries to creat your own monster ?
Steve: To us, the freedom we discovered in our early days of what was called “punk” or independent DIY music back then meant there were no rules. We do what we want and what moves and inspires us. If you don’t like it, tough shit, you don’t have to listen to it then. This is completely self centered expression. We don’t cater to anyone’s expectations. We carry that initial inspiration with us always. We have never fit in a box or category and those names people try to give music are completely meaningless to us. We have outlasted most names, scenes, and categories and I am sure we will outlast all of the current terminology as well. We evolve as human beings expressing ourselves through music.
PE: Of course all of your records have a very deeply anchored philosophy and art! These two aspects of the band as well with live performances have made Neurosis a very unique combo and an influential band worldwide. How does all of this come together ? Where do you draw your inspiration from to make all of these aspects come together to make masterpieces ? Are you all pretty much perfectionnists ?
Steve: We are definitely not perfectionists. This music is very organic and comes from the soul. We don’t labor over it intellectually. There is no such thing as “perfect”. I think when people obsess on trying to reach perfection they often sterilize any real emotion and humanity right out of their art. Any ideas that may come from our brains are inherently less powerful than the natural flow that shines when we surrender to that driven force that exists both outside and within us. We record in a pure manner, live as a band straight to tape, no tricks, no bullshit. The philosophy is the philosophy of being emotional beings contemplating our existence. The artwork tries to give a visual backdrop for the emotional landscapes created by the music. It is hard to describe with words. That is why we use sound.
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We’ll be picking up PE #64 from the printers on Friday, June 7, 2013. This massive 36-page newspaper-type issues compiles reprints from PE’s blog from 2012 and 2013.
