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.