owl and bear

2006, Ipecac

Isis make fairly damn dramatic music.

Despite dropping the Oceanic theme two albums ago, their music still crests and swells like pounding waves—driving the hypnotized listener further from shore. The riptide is the ultimate ride, and the listener is sucked and swallowed along- pummeled in a most pleasant way.

The guitars are sand that scrapes Our Hero’s skin. The riffs wash across his body on the rocky shore. Yet, although an awesome album, and even though we—who felt the post-Neurosis void—still have a band that we can enjoy, many listeners’ initial reaction to this album could well be, “Damn! TOOL has once again found their focus!” Ha Ha.

No, it’s not outright TOOL worship, but In The Absence Of Truth is dangerously close. At any rate, Absence contains the pounding metal and spacey psychedelic interludes that aim to please, and largely do. It’s not a lightspeed jump for Isis- like Oceanic- but it remains good listening. Perhaps Panopticon II would have been a better title.

B-