Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Conclusion

Isis have broken up.



Although this is undeniably sad news, there is something to be said for quitting while you are ahead. In a society that invariably bleeds profitable forms of artistic expression white, it's good to see a great (even decade-defining) band bow out on a creative high. Last year's Wavering Radiant was yet another leap forward, expanding the band's palette with some subtle keyboard work, colouring their sound with textures and nuances that would have been unthinkable for the band that made 2000's earth-shattering but Neurosis-aping debut, Celestial. Kudos to the boys for having the good judgement to recognize when their creative vision for the band had run its course, and the courage to lay the project gracefully to rest before stagnation could set in. This is a rare and beautiful thing in rock n' roll.

The career arc of Isis showed a definite progression, an evolution from one state of being to another over the course of decade plus of innovation. Their transformation from post-sludge godheads to an elusive band of aquatic shaman was gradual and deliberate, and with each heavily laboured statement of an album they never ceased to be as powerful or exciting as their original identity as purveyors of glacial walls of deconstructed post-metal heaviness. They were eqally impressive as a live act. I had the pleasure of seeing them on both the Panopticon and In The Absence Of Truth tours and was extremely impressed both times by their dedication to crafting powerful suites of noise and distortion, the triumphant peaks and valleys of their compositions and their use of dynamics and sheer volume to physically overwhelm the senses of the listener. Truly, Isis were one of the greatest and most creative metal bands of the 00's and their relentless drive to innovate and create new works of art will be sadly missed and continually appreciated by adventurous post-rock fans, avante garde hardcore champions, roving cosmic travellers, bearded riff enthusiasts and blunted out metal heads. Best of luck to the members of Isis in all their future endeavors.

Monday, May 17, 2010

Ode

R.I.P. Ronnie James Dio July 10, 1942-May 16, 2010



Though the Sacred Heart of the Master of the Moon no longer beats, my he rule his kingdom of Rainbows in the Dark forever. Farewell Dio, we shall ride the cosmos together when next we meet again. 'Till then, I've got Holy Diver to remember you by.

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Knuckleduster

If I could have been worked with any musical act at any point in history, I would have been a roadie for Goatsnake circa the turn of the millennium. No band in history has ever quite so vividly described through sound the godlike feeling of power that comes from riding a sizzling hot Harley across a desert highway. You can bet some good times were had on those tours.

Greg Anderson's biker doom titans are finally releasing their long out of print 2000 CE album Flower Of Disease on Southern Lord, not to mention re-forming for a few dates sometime soon if we're lucky. You know what? I'm gonna say it. Goatsnake were fuckin' awesome. And if you happen to be unacquainted with these monsters, let me just say that you can't argue with a group of rock n' rollers whose credentials include stints in the Obsessed, Sunn O))), Thorr's Hammer, Scream, Asva and Burning Witch. A solid cross section of sludgecore, punk, stoner rock, black metal and doom you think? Nah, Goatsnake don't go in for your obscure genre categorizations. It's just heavy rock, and who can't get behind that? Surely we've all spent enough time rocking out in smoky rec rooms and basements to set aside our differences and enjoy some mammoth riffs, hedonistic manly rock god vocals, massive sing along hooks and a seriously heavy-duty mix courtesy of Nick Raskulinecz.

Here's footage from the first Goatsnake show in 5 years at this year's Roadburn festival at Tillburg in the Netherlands. Enjoy, and pick up this stone classic of a rock n' roll album when it comes out if you know what's good for ya. Maybe if you're really lucky these gunslingers will be rollin' into your town soon.