Neurosis On Making Music To Help Make Sense Of This "Crazy World"

"We're constantly seeking that sonic holy grail that's always elusive," Steve Von Till says in a friendly voice that's completely removed from the monolithic bellows metal fans the world over revere. Discussing what continues to drive Neurosis, Von Till touches on how there are still places they'd like to travel to and play, but that's nothing compared to what the quintet draws from something he describes as their search for the 'perfect sound'.

"Musically, the goal has always been to evolve and constantly push the envelope... That holy grail, we're very confident that we'll die trying to find it. The sonic quest is lifelong, so we always have that to look forward to."

Asked what the perfect Neurosis record should sound like when records like 2012's Honor Found In Decay and last year's Fires Within Fires must be getting somewhere pretty close to the mark, Von Till says the beautiful thing about the band's sonic quest is that they will never reach their destination. "It's not really an intellectual goal, so it's hard to put into words. It's more of an emotional goal; that there is this act of constantly striving for what you're supposed to be, that's how the music feels. Every time we make an album it's absolutely the best version of ourselves that we're capable of being at that time, but that path is an infinite one... We just search for music with a natural flow."

"Every time we make an album it's absolutely the best version of ourselves that we're capable of being at that time, but that path is an infinite one..."

According to Von Till, the band's decision to prioritise exploring what they can do musically means other facets of their career, namely touring, have to take a bit of a backseat. Explaining that the band's upcoming Australian run only came about because "the offer came in and the timing was right", Von Till reflects on what touring means to Neurosis these days.

"We don't feel the need to hit the road and do the generic world tour. That's just not how our lives work right now. We can do about 25 concerts a year with our families and our different work schedules, and that is what it is. But, at least for me, one of my many jobs is running Neurot Recordings. So I'm living, breathing and sleeping our record up here in the forest where I've got our office set up."

But does having business responsibilities intertwined with such a pure form of artistic expression make the idealistic situation lose some of its lustre? "I have nothing but gratitude and a deep spiritual connection with the fact that we're lucky enough to stumble across this music. I would never take it for granted just because it causes work. I mean, that's good work; that's the work we all hope for in life... And also, we expect no reward from this quest. It's extremely self-centred, very personal. It's less of a desire and more of a need — to make this music in this world, to have any sort of sanity and positive way of dealing with such a crazy world."