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Isis (band)

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Isis
File:Isis-band1.jpg
Background information
Years active1997–present
MembersAaron Turner
Jeff Caxide
Michael Gallagher
Aaron Harris
Cliff Meyer


Isis is a Los Angeles, California-based post-hardcore/post-rock/experimental band that has borrowed and helped to evolve a sound pioneered by the likes of Neurosis and Godflesh. Their music consists of lengthy songs that focus heavily on repetition. Because of this and the fact that they tend to bury the vocals, the band use their music as a vehicle for emotion, and are not concerned with getting played on the radio. This element of sophistication and the subsequent breaking of genre boundaries leaves a cloud of inaccessibility over the band; one could say they appeal to a "niche market" in music.

Biography

Brought together by friendship, several sessions of experimentation in Boston, Massacheusetts lead Aaron Turner (guitar/vocals), Jeff Caxide (bass guitar), Chris Mereschuk (electronics/vocals) and Aaron Harris (drums) to form Isis in 1997 (see 1997 in music). 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 to pursue other opportunities. After this time, Jay Randall (Agoraphobic Nosebleed) joined the band, helping release the Red Sea. Ultimately, this lead to the addition of former Cast Iron Hike guitarist Mike Gallagher and Cliff Meyer (electronics/guitar) in 1999 (see 1999 in music). After releasing debut epic Celestial, Isis would gain national attention in the underground metal/hardcore scene through tours with legendary space rockers Cave In and noisecore pioneers Neurosis. Isis remains with this lineup to date.

The band have released records on such labels as Escape Artist, Second Nature and Neurot Recordings. Since the release of the album Oceanic, Isis have released their work on Ipecac Recordings (which is run by infamous former Faith No More bandleader Mike Patton).

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

The members of Isis are very good friends with the members of Tool and, based on statements made by Jeff Caxide, the two bands are likely to tour together following the release of Tool's 2006 album.

Genre

Isis have been compared to the genre of post-rock, which leans away from the traditional elements of choruses, verses, repetitive vocals, or fast/repetitive riffs. However, Isis are more metal-focused and feature hardcore-styled vocals; thus, they have been labelled by many as "post-metal" or "post-hardcore" [1], [2]. Frontman Aaron Turner, when posed the challenge of defining Isis, stated they were best described as "avant-garde, drone-oriented rock, but that doesn't completely cover the bases." This would prove to be accurate, considering their invitation from Mogwai to play at All Tomorrow's Parties 2004. As well, the band incorporate elements of doom metal in their sound, particularly the length of their pieces and epic production style. However, that genre suggests a sound much darker than that of Isis, and should therefore be used sparingly in relation to the band. Pre-Celestial Isis is often considered sludge metal, which is a subgenre of doom metal.

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

  • Mosquito Control introduces the first major theme, the mosquito.
  • 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 very specific story.
  • Panopticon reintroduces the tower through convention. See also: panopticon.

Side Projects

  • Old Man Gloom
  • House of Low Culture
  • Lotus Eaters
  • Red Sparowes

Members

Current

  • A Turner: Guitar, Vocals
  • A Harris: Drums
  • J Caxide: Bass
  • M Gallagher: Guitar
  • BC Meyer: Electronics, Guitar

Past

  • C Mereschuk: Electronics, Vocals (1998-1999)
  • J Randall: Electronics (1999-2000)

Collaborators

  • Maria Christopher and Ayal Naor of 27 (both of whom contributed to Oceanic)
  • Justin Chancellor, bass player of Tool (who contributed to a song on Panopticon)

Discography

LPs

EPs

Official bootlegs

Remixes

Splits

Demos

Videography

  • "In Fiction" [Video edit (5:37)] from Panopticon (2004). Directed by Josh Graham. [3]
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