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Revision as of 02:03, 27 October 2006

Isis
File:Isis pr 19 4c s.jpg
Background information
OriginBoston, Massachusetts, USA
Years active1997–present
MembersAaron Turner
Jeff Caxide
Michael Gallagher
Aaron Harris
Cliff Meyer

ISIS is a Los Angeles, California-based band, commonly labeled avant garde, post-metal, post-hardcore, post-rock and experimental. They have borrowed and helped to evolve a sound pioneered by the likes of Neurosis and Godflesh, with music consisting of lengthy songs that focus heavily on repetition. Because of this and the fact that they tend to bury the vocals, their music is not suitable for mainstream release or radio playtime in a commercial sense. As guitarist Michael Gallagher states, "we've never tried to be on the radio, and we've never tried to please others. We've simply done whatever we've wanted to do, and we've all decided to be happy with the results."[1]

Biography

Several sessions of experimentation in Boston, Massachusetts led friends Aaron Turner (guitar/vocals), Jeff Caxide (bass guitar), Chris Mereschuk (electronics/vocals) and Aaron Harris (drums) to form Isis in late 1997 (see 1997 in music). As Turner states, "Isis formed as a result of the dissatisfaction with past bands of the founding members [Aaron Harris, Jeff Caxide, Aaron Turner]. None of us were happy with what we were doing musically at the time, two of us lived together, we had similar tastes and similar record collections."[2] Isis released a demo and their first EP, Mosquito Control, with this lineup. After an East Coast tour in the summer of 1998 (see 1998 in music) where they were joined by Randy Larsen of Cable on guitar, Mereschuk left the band. Jay Randall (Agoraphobic Nosebleed) soon replaced him, working on Red Sea (1999). However, his stay would not last; this ultimately led to the addition of Bryant Clifford Meyer taking on electronics/guitar duties and former Cast Iron Hike guitarist Mike Gallagher in 1999 (see 1999 in music). After releasing debut full-length Celestial in 2000 (see 2000 in music), Isis would gain national underground attention in the metal/hardcore scene through tours with Cave In and Neurosis. Isis remains with this lineup to date.

Aaron Turner is also the owner of Hydra Head Records and its subsidiary, HH Noise Industries.

Where Celestial was still deeply rooted in metal and hardcore, 2002's follow-up, Oceanic, saw the band acquire new characteristics comparable to post-rock and ambient music, effectively birthing the genre of post-metal. While much of the material on the album retained the band's former "metallic" intensity, this departure saw the band appeal to a far wider audience; as a result, Oceanic may be the group's most noted album to date.

The year 2004 (see 2004 in music) saw the release of Isis' third album, Panopticon. It signified a progression many had predicted for the band since Oceanic, with a more advanced post-rock feel to the music both structurally and in terms of sound. One reviewer noted, "Panopticon essentially takes a long gaze at the latter half of Oceanic and simply extends their musical journey from that point."[3] Before touring the USA, the band performed a free concert at the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art, a manifestation of the widespread recognition the band had acquired since the release of Oceanic.

Originally set for release on August 22, 2006, Clearing the Eye, the band's first DVD documenting performances over the past five years throughout the world, was put on indefinite hold due to issues involving their label, Mike Patton's Ipecac Recordings, and the deadlines therein. The DVD was eventually released on September 26, 2006.

The band finished recording their fourth album In the Absence of Truth on July 9, 2006, set to be released at Halloween 2006 on Ipecac. The record sees the band again evolving in a manner similar to Oceanic and Panopticon, this time adding new elements of electronics, song structure, drumming complexity, and vocal techniques.

Isis were the opening act for Tool's late 2006 North American tour in support of their new album, 10,000 Days.

Genre

In terms of influences, bands such as Tool, The Melvins, Godflesh and Neurosis can be cited. As Turner has stated, "those bands laid the groundwork for us [...] We're part of a recognizable lineage."[4]

Isis have been described as post-rock, a genre which leans away from the traditional elements of choruses, verses, repetitive vocals, or fast riffs - what Turner calls "guitar theatrics."[5] However, post-rock is essentially a "chilled-out genre," and Isis have more hardcore/sludge origins (especially in their pre-Celestial era) and hardcore-oriented vocals. Their music involves elements from hardcore, drone, sludge, indie, ambient music and post-rock, yet none of these labels defines their sound fully. Turner, when asked to define Isis, stated they were best described as "avant-garde, drone-oriented rock, but that doesn't completely cover the bases."[6] Likewise, he also describes their music as "thinking man's metal;" however, this tag refers to the intellectual elements behind the music, as opposed to aural ones. There is an overt intention of progressing heavy music present in Isis' output; "metal in general has long been unjustly maligned as solely the province of knuckle-dragging meatheads [...] That said, there's never been a group of musicians like there is now, who are helping to advance the form."[4]

Due to this difficulty in pigeonholing, some fans and critics tend to label Isis as post-metal.[7] This genre is accepted to contain similar-sounding contemporaries such as Pelican, Cult of Luna and Callisto.

Themes

Most of Isis' releases revolve around a theme, which is expanded upon within the different tracks. While each different release has its own unique theme, many of the major releases offer themes which interconnect. Turner has stated "we wanted to have albums that weren't just grab-bags of songs but rather a cohesive experience from beginning to end, from the music to the lyrics to the layout of the record."[5]

For more detailed perspectives on these themes, refer to the specific entries linked below.

  • Mosquito Control introduces the first major theme, the mosquito, as well as control towers (see cover of reissue).
  • The Red Sea offers the first glimpses of both the water and female character themes.
  • Celestial and SGNL>05 reintroduce the control towers and female character, as well as the mosquito through the artwork.
  • Oceanic reintroduces the water and female themes through a specific story.
  • Panopticon reintroduces the tower through convention (see panopticon).

Members

Current

  • Aaron Turner: guitar, vocals
  • Aaron Harris: drums
  • Jeff Caxide: bass
  • Michael Gallagher: guitar
  • Bryant Clifford Meyer: electronics, guitar

Past

  • Chris Mereschuk: electronics, vocals (1998-1999)
  • Jay Randall: electronics (1999-2000)

Collaborators

  • Maria Christopher and Ayal Naor of 27 (both of whom contributed to Oceanic)
  • Justin Chancellor of Tool (who contributed to the song "Altered Course" on Panopticon)

Side Projects

Albums

Album Cover Date of Release Title Label
File:O548014.jpg
 1998 Self-titled (tape) N/A
1998 Mosquito Control (EP) Escape Artist
August 24, 1999 Red Sea (EP) Second Nature
File:O145099.jpg.gif
 1999 Sawblade (EP) Hydra Head Records
April 3, 2001 Celestial Escape Artist
March 6, 2001 SGNL>05 (EP) Neurot
File:Isis Oceanic2.jpg
 September 17, 2002 Oceanic Ipecac Recordings
March, 2004 Live.01 Hydra Head Records
October 19, 2004 Panopticon Ipecac Recordings
November, 2004 Live.02 Hydra Head Records
July 7, 2004 Oceanic Remixes and Reinterpretations Hydra Head Records
File:O400971.jpg
 April, 2005 Live.03 Hydra Head Records
File:O580866.jpg
 May, 2006 Live.04 Hydra Head Records
File:Isis and Aereogramme-In The Fishtank 14.jpg
 September, 2006 In The Fishtank 14 (collaboration with Aereogramme) Konkurrent
File:In the Absence of Truth.jpg October 31, 2006 In the Absence of Truth Ipecac Recordings

Videography

  • "In Fiction" [video edit, 5:37] from Panopticon (2004). Directed by Josh Graham. [1]
  • Clearing the Eye [DVD]. Features live songs (including an entire live performance), "In Fiction" music video, photo galleries, original artwork, lyrics and a complete discography. This release was postponed due to issues with material, sound quality, and the deadline,[8] but has since been released in most regions.

References

  1. ^ Porosky, Pamela. "Aaron Turner and Michael Gallagher interview". Guitar Player. Retrieved September 6. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ "Aaron Turner interview". Feast of Hate and Fear. Retrieved October 8. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ Chedsey, John. "Isis discography and reviews". Satan Stole My Teddy Bear. Retrieved October 19. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ a b Caraminica, Jon. "The alchemy of art-world heavy metal". The New York Times. Retrieved October 20. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ a b Berrett, Chuck. "The Inevitable Evolution of Isis". Slugmag. Retrieved October 8. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ "Aaron Turner video interview". http://www.wennsrockt.de Template:De icon. Retrieved August 26. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); External link in |work= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  7. ^ Southern Records Isis promo
  8. ^ Seldonhunt.com

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Isis_(band)&oldid=83970500"