Neurotic November – “Anunnaki” [Album Review]

Some albums you listen to and just don’t connect with at all on any level. Sadly, Anunnaki, the Victory Records debut from Florida deathcore quintet Neurotic November is one of those albums. I can’t put my finger on what it is because all the elements are there for a good listen but, even by the end of the first track, I’m struggling to keep paying attention.

I think the main problem is that it all sounds so disjointed. Is it metalcore, is it death metal, is it nu-metal, is it hardcore? I think, as Anunnaki progresses, it is all of those things but, at the same time, it seemed that the band never really wanted to stay in one style long enough for their efforts to have any real impact. Another issue I have is that when the quintet do stick to one style, like on “The Betrayer” for example, there isn’t anything really memorable to keep you listening. It’s a lot like how I’d imagine being hit over the head with a baseball bat would feel.

And that’s all there is to it really. To be honest, by the time I’d reached “Parents” towards the end of the album and the ‘spoken word’ passage kicked in, it all got a bit too much and I gave up. Some records are meant to challenge you with their diversity, some are just too much like hard work. Sadly I’m getting too old and lazy to persevere with albums like Anunnaki.

Track Listing:

01. Anunnaki
02. Check Mate
03. To Prevail
04. The Betrayer
05. Nonchalant
06. Alonzo/Precious Life
07. You’re Not An Easy Act To Follow
08. Parents
09. Can Be Conquered
10. Wasabi Anguish
11. Our Development.

Run Time: 34:20
Release Date: October 28, 2013

Check out the song “Nonchalant”