Picking up where Times of Grace left off, Sovereign is a four-song EP released on the band's own label, Neurot Recordings, which precedes the recording of the band's next full-length for Relapse. Sovereign continues to explore the themes presented on Times of Grace, allowing each song to slowly build and evolve, extending its tentacles into creepy atmospheres and allowing militant rhythms to invade and dissolve according to the dynamic of the song. What makes Sovereign particularly unique is that its heaviness does not emerge entirely from the guitar riff, but from the overwhelming atmosphere, the grim darkness, the relentless stomp of the rhythms. Of course, when the guitar does emerge, it is a powerful instrument that fuses with the percussion in order to smash the eardrums into a pulp. The sense of dynamics on this album is also particularly notable, and it seems that the band is as much impressive for the sonic spaces that it leaves open as the music which it plays. Sovereign also stands as one of the more abstract and rhythm-oriented releases under its belt, not to mention one of the slowest in terms of tempo - in fact, an argument could be made that Sovereign marks Neurosis' entrance into unadulterated doom territory. I wouldn't recommend Sovereign as your first taste of Neurosis, but if you were a fan of Times of Grace and especially if you preferred it over Through Silver In Blood, the band's previous release, then you would do well to seek out Sovereign. And be sure to check out the multimedia track, which includes a link to a secret area of Neurosis' website that contains additional music recorded during the Sovereign session!