Steve Von Till, best known as Californian heavyweights Neurosis' singer and guitarist, is due to release a new solo album, A Life Unto Itself on his main band's Neurot Recordings Von Till enlisted Randall Dunn, production supremo and Master Musicians of Bukkake founder, to helm the desk, as well as bringing in Eyvind Kang on viola and percussionist Pat Schowe. 'A Life Unto Itself' also showcases J. Kardong on pedal steel, texturising Von Till's baritone gravel and sun-bleached skeleton of a guitar arrangement with some dust-blown harmonics , reminiscent of similarly raspy, whiskey-throttled voices of Mark Lanegan and Michael Gira. The title doesn't quite say it all, but it says most of it: A Life Unto Itself is as much the name of Steve Von Till's fourth solo album as it is the perfect description for the 25-plus years he's spent forging, with his brothers, the incomparable musical force that is Neurosis-not to mention the numerous sonic tapestries he's woven with Tribes Of Neurot and under his alter ego Harvestman. You can hear that deep musical history, and all the life experience that goes with it, on A Life Unto Itself. As with his previous solo works, it's Von Till's weathered, distinctive voice and sparse acoustic guitar that provide the foundation. Though mostly quiet and subdued, these songs still manage to evoke vast emotional power as Von Till's raspy whisper dives deeply inward and speaks of visions, memories, and self-reflection in a way that feels both seasoned and exposed. While his last couple of albums took on a more traditional approach with respectful nods toward Americana and Celtic ballads, A Life Unto Itself ventures into a wider variety of sonic landscapes, often borrowing from the rural psychedelia Von Till is known for creating with Harvestman, weaving vintage synth and electric guitars in and out of these unique folksongs. 

 

TRACKLISTING:  01. A LANGUAGE OF BLOOD 02. A LIFE UNTO ITSELF 03. NIGHT OF THE MOON 04. IN YOUR WINGS 05. BIRCH BARK BOX 06. CHASING GHOSTS 07. KNOWN BUT NOT NAMED.