Review by Adam M on November 5, 2012.

The new Neurosis "Honor Found In Decay" marks a return to the glorious sound that has been a foundation for all metal with atmospheric and post-metal elements. There is a combination of the more raw powerful and refined sound of the last album "Given To The Rising" with some more serene moments from albums like "A Sun That Never Sets" to be found here. The storming 'At The Well' is an early highlight and features a nice buildup with shouting of the phrase “in a shadow world” that recalls the likes of their older albums.

The peaks and valleys on the album are very noticeably defined as with their other material. There are moments of cascading riffs combined with gentler moments to make for a very dynamic and interesting album overall. The power of the band is still present, but this release doesn’t have quite as many memorable moments as some of absolute best albums. There are quality tracks, but they don’t have quite the superlative quality to make them the band’s best. Still, the music here is still head and shoulders above the current metal scene’s output. For anyone looking to become entranced with a combination of might and beauty, "Honor Found In Decay" is a stellar showing for a band that will hopefully continue to put out more great material for at least a few more years in the future.

The legendary brand of post-metal has been given a much needed return to form with the new Neurosis output and I for one couldn’t be gladder to have them back. This material is standout for metal this season and an album that fans won’t want to miss.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9.5
Atmosphere: 9
Production: 9
Originality: 8.5
Overall: 8.9

Rating: 8.9 out of 10

Review by Adam M on November 5, 2012.

The new Neurosis "Honor Found In Decay" marks a return to the glorious sound that has been a foundation for all metal with atmospheric and post-metal elements. There is a combination of the more raw powerful and refined sound of the last album "Given To The Rising" with some more serene moments from albums like "A Sun That Never Sets" to be found here. The storming 'At The Well' is an early highlight and features a nice buildup with shouting of the phrase “in a shadow world” that recalls the likes of their older albums.

The peaks and valleys on the album are very noticeably defined as with their other material. There are moments of cascading riffs combined with gentler moments to make for a very dynamic and interesting album overall. The power of the band is still present, but this release doesn’t have quite as many memorable moments as some of absolute best albums. There are quality tracks, but they don’t have quite the superlative quality to make them the band’s best. Still, the music here is still head and shoulders above the current metal scene’s output. For anyone looking to become entranced with a combination of might and beauty, "Honor Found In Decay" is a stellar showing for a band that will hopefully continue to put out more great material for at least a few more years in the future.

The legendary brand of post-metal has been given a much needed return to form with the new Neurosis output and I for one couldn’t be gladder to have them back. This material is standout for metal this season and an album that fans won’t want to miss.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9.5
Atmosphere: 9
Production: 9
Originality: 8.5
Overall: 8.9

Rating: 8.9 out of 10

Review by Adam M on November 5, 2012.

The new Neurosis "Honor Found In Decay" marks a return to the glorious sound that has been a foundation for all metal with atmospheric and post-metal elements. There is a combination of the more raw powerful and refined sound of the last album "Given To The Rising" with some more serene moments from albums like "A Sun That Never Sets" to be found here. The storming 'At The Well' is an early highlight and features a nice buildup with shouting of the phrase “in a shadow world” that recalls the likes of their older albums.

The peaks and valleys on the album are very noticeably defined as with their other material. There are moments of cascading riffs combined with gentler moments to make for a very dynamic and interesting album overall. The power of the band is still present, but this release doesn’t have quite as many memorable moments as some of absolute best albums. There are quality tracks, but they don’t have quite the superlative quality to make them the band’s best. Still, the music here is still head and shoulders above the current metal scene’s output. For anyone looking to become entranced with a combination of might and beauty, "Honor Found In Decay" is a stellar showing for a band that will hopefully continue to put out more great material for at least a few more years in the future.

The legendary brand of post-metal has been given a much needed return to form with the new Neurosis output and I for one couldn’t be gladder to have them back. This material is standout for metal this season and an album that fans won’t want to miss.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9.5
Atmosphere: 9
Production: 9
Originality: 8.5
Overall: 8.9

Rating: 8.9 out of 10

Review by Adam M on November 5, 2012.

The new Neurosis "Honor Found In Decay" marks a return to the glorious sound that has been a foundation for all metal with atmospheric and post-metal elements. There is a combination of the more raw powerful and refined sound of the last album "Given To The Rising" with some more serene moments from albums like "A Sun That Never Sets" to be found here. The storming 'At The Well' is an early highlight and features a nice buildup with shouting of the phrase “in a shadow world” that recalls the likes of their older albums.

The peaks and valleys on the album are very noticeably defined as with their other material. There are moments of cascading riffs combined with gentler moments to make for a very dynamic and interesting album overall. The power of the band is still present, but this release doesn’t have quite as many memorable moments as some of absolute best albums. There are quality tracks, but they don’t have quite the superlative quality to make them the band’s best. Still, the music here is still head and shoulders above the current metal scene’s output. For anyone looking to become entranced with a combination of might and beauty, "Honor Found In Decay" is a stellar showing for a band that will hopefully continue to put out more great material for at least a few more years in the future.

The legendary brand of post-metal has been given a much needed return to form with the new Neurosis output and I for one couldn’t be gladder to have them back. This material is standout for metal this season and an album that fans won’t want to miss.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9.5
Atmosphere: 9
Production: 9
Originality: 8.5
Overall: 8.9

Rating: 8.9 out of 10

Review by Adam M on November 5, 2012.

The new Neurosis "Honor Found In Decay" marks a return to the glorious sound that has been a foundation for all metal with atmospheric and post-metal elements. There is a combination of the more raw powerful and refined sound of the last album "Given To The Rising" with some more serene moments from albums like "A Sun That Never Sets" to be found here. The storming 'At The Well' is an early highlight and features a nice buildup with shouting of the phrase “in a shadow world” that recalls the likes of their older albums.

The peaks and valleys on the album are very noticeably defined as with their other material. There are moments of cascading riffs combined with gentler moments to make for a very dynamic and interesting album overall. The power of the band is still present, but this release doesn’t have quite as many memorable moments as some of absolute best albums. There are quality tracks, but they don’t have quite the superlative quality to make them the band’s best. Still, the music here is still head and shoulders above the current metal scene’s output. For anyone looking to become entranced with a combination of might and beauty, "Honor Found In Decay" is a stellar showing for a band that will hopefully continue to put out more great material for at least a few more years in the future.

The legendary brand of post-metal has been given a much needed return to form with the new Neurosis output and I for one couldn’t be gladder to have them back. This material is standout for metal this season and an album that fans won’t want to miss.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9.5
Atmosphere: 9
Production: 9
Originality: 8.5
Overall: 8.9

Rating: 8.9 out of 10

Review by Adam M on November 29, 2016.

Aborted perform a fast and vicious form of death metal. There is perhaps a similarity to Carcass, but I don’t believe this band is quite as effective at delivering the death metal blow. This is due to some more simplistic song-writing that doesn’t lend it quite the compelling approach.

It’s still a very nifty approach to the death metal genre, however. The music is abrasive and hard-hitting to the core. This voracious approach hits hard and fast. There is an aggressive side to the music that is very appropriate. There isn’t as much complexity as on Necroticism or as much melody as Heartwork, but the disc still finds a good medium to the music overall. It’s a hard edged style that has a lot going for it. After a quick intro, the band comes out of the closet firing on all cylinders with the title track. For the most part, the momentum is kept up throughout the disc, but this first true track is stormer. The brutality is harsh, but still intelligent enough to be fun. There is an element of well-conceived glory that propels an otherwise 7/10 release into the 7.5/10 range. The entirety of the work seems well composed and written. The songs have a purpose and drive to them. Still, despite the intelligent approach, it still never comes close to matching Necroticism for all of its complexities.

This leaves us with a fairly straight-forward disc that has enough abrasiveness and thoughtfulness to please. There is enough meatiness in the riffs to pummel time and time again. Make no mistake, this isn’t the greatest death metal recording, but it does have enough edge and impact to it to be quite a cool listen. Fans of Carcass, Exhumed and the like will find lots to like with Retrogore.

Rating: 7.5 out of 10