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Tuesday, 06 December 2005 06:40

Like a slow-moving hurricane, Isis creates a landscape of aggression and beauty. Is Isis a heavy metal band or a creature creating complex, atmospheric landscapes? They are both. Bipolar in nature, one second they are throwing a tantrum and the next they are painting surreal landscapes for the mind. Isis’s brand of music is as much cerebral as it raw.

Created in 1997, Isis has been more of a collective that has thrived around core members Jeff Caxide (bass), Aaron Turner (guitars/vocals), and Aaron Harris (drums). Joining them on their newest performance are Michael Gallagher (guitar) and Bryant C. Meyer (electronics coordinator). You do not listen to the sounds of Isis as much as allow yourself to be transported by their performance on their latest release, Oceanic.

Corners square cut, stops and starts, slowdowns and buildups, and screaming vocals help to create songs that are measured and hypnotic, creating rushes of feelings all at once. The problem with writing about some bands is that words cannot be used to convey what it is they are doing. It is music that needs to be experienced, music for the senses. If you’re the type who does not need an overload of testosterone with your metal and want a little more between the ears, then Isis is just what you are going to need.