United States Christmas

USX-THE VALLEY PATH (8.5)
Neurot Recordings

So we come to the allure of the concept album. Trepan the skull of any Johnny Two-Shoes musician and you’ll find it. Most musicians harbour lofty aspiration in conceptual music making, though most never make their hopes a reality and simply leave it to fester. Reneging on every self-promise till its very notion causes a self-deprecating shudder at your own ineptitude a concept album does not make. So it’s not oft you find a band that share their respective vision to make theirs a reality. U.S Christmas certainly have some conceptual vision, but a wild dash of temerity to usher in the titular song ‘The Valley Path` as a single track, clocking you out of your shift 38.53 minutes later…

All pretence aside though, USX have indulged their minds desire and in an act of unashamed benevolence, laid out a kingdom of riches for the humble traveller. Firstly, the dynamic here is judged impeccably, the album has an arduous atmosphere that’s as heavy as rogue plutonium, yet the occasional intermezzos carve out perilous crevasses in which to take refuge from the chaos. The contrast is wondrous, unembellished and frighteningly delicate. It’s this dynamic that strikes deepest, but every facet is strength here. The musical factions are so dauntingly heavy, that even when they’re not being demonstrably so, you’ll wish to take a hammer to your head in confusion. Consider the earnest tone of the vocals, the utter yearning in the words and you are yourself made anew…and therein lays the beauty of the concept album - the wresting of control from the listener.

Much is bandied about concerning the Neurisis sound, for better or worse. However, to listen to the naysayers would be to do yourself a disservice and place a barrier where one shouldn’t be, because an epic marvel such as The Valley Path may just pass you by.

Reviewed by Sam Thor Rhodes