Smashing Mag / "Panopticon" : ISIS

Isis

"Panopticon"
(US import / Domestic Press)

The official site

Isis

http://www.sgnl05.com/

The label site in Japan

http://www.pj-t.com/daymare/

check the album?

previous works

"Oceanic Remixes / Re-interpretations"
(Domestic Press)

"Oceanic"
(US import / Domestic Press)

"Red Sea"
(US import)

"Celestial"
(US import / UK import / Domestic Press)

...and more available.

The awesome foldout packaging that accompanies Isis' latest opus features stunning aerial shots of a city flanked by bodies of water and mountains. As vast as the landscape is, it could easily be levelled in mere moments if ever exposed to one of the Boston quintet's crushing sonic blows.

Their third full-length effort sees Isis combining the fury and passion of metal with the drawn out theatrics and atmospheric beauty of Godspeed You Black Emperor! To describe the seven gargantuan masterpieces as anything less than epic would be denying them of the proper praise they rightfully deserve.

The first track, "So Did We" opens with Aaron Turner growling over a dense background of explosive guitar riffs. Mere moments later the extremely gifted group quickly shift gears, turning the song into a slowly building space rock piece. With anticipation mounting, listeners are skilfully strung along for several minutes until the song reaches its swirling climax. Forsaking more traditional methods of blowing people away with blasts of loudness, Isis instead weave a distorted web of sound that floors listeners with its technical precision and mind-bending layers.

Delving into the realm of post-rock while still staying firmly entrenched in their metal roots, Isis explore musical terrains often neglected by their peers. The bulk of the material presented on Panopticon is very melodic, with a strong focus placed on instrumentation. Turner's gruff vocals are still a powerful asset to the group, but are used sparingly and have been placed lower in the overall mix so as not to dominate any of the awe-inspiring compositions.

With the shortest song on the album clocking it at almost seven minutes, each number is developed into a living, breathing entity. Stacked with numerous highs and lows, almost all of the feedback drenched tales continue to grow until becoming blistering, tantalizing monsters, allowing Isis to briefly flex their musical muscles before sending listeners spiralling back into a world of shoegaze bliss. Not meant for your impatient fifteen year old cousin who just wants to scream his head off, jump around, and break shit, Panopticon instead comes off as a thinking-man's kind of metal. Challenging, enlightening, interesting, and invigorating all at the same time this record is destined to become a classic in the world of heavy music. Fantastic from start to finish, all seven tracks standout, but the soaring "In Fiction" and the ambient "Altered Course" somehow manage to slightly rise above the rest.

This in an album that needs to be experienced to be truly appreciated, and while not everyone will be able to grasp its grandiose concepts, those that can will cherish it forever. Easily one of the best metal releases of last year, Panopticon sees Isis continuing to develop and expand the notions of what artists in their genre should sound like.

Isis Japanese Tour Dates:
The details are checked here and they are touring with CONVERGE and MASTODON under a banner of "Extreme The Dojo vol.11"

February 2 Osaka @ Shinsaibashi Club Quattro
February 3 Nagoya @ Nagoya Club Quattro
February 5 Tokyo @ Shibuya Club Quattro

reviewed by shawn.

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