Isis
Live.04
Independent (2011)
A year after their dissolution, post-metal powerhouse Isis is preparing to digitally re-release its entire live discography on a fortnightly basis throughout the summer of 2011. The set of five albums unfortunately does not contain any new material, but for those of you who skipped acquiring them while the band was still active, some of these albums may satiate your … Read more
Isis
Live.05
Independent (2011)
A year after their dissolution, post-metal powerhouse Isis is preparing to digitally re-release its entire live discography on a fortnightly basis throughout the summer of 2011. The set of five albums unfortunately does not contain any new material, but for those of you who skipped acquiring them while the band was still active, some of these albums may satiate your … Read more
Isis
Oceanic Remixes Volume I
Robotic Empire (2004)
I am going to assume for your own sake that you are familiar with Isis, the doom-sludge-metal outfit that saw an overwhelmingly positive response to their last full-length, Oceanic. If you are completely clueless, you might want to go out, purchase said album, and them come back after you've given it a good four or five listens all the way … Read more
Isis
Oceanic Remixes Volume II
Robotic Empire (2004)
As I did with the review of Volume I, I will recommend that those of you who have not heard Isis, in particular the band's last full-length Oceanic, head out to your local independent record store and purchase a copy. Give the album a few listens and then you can come back and read the remainder of this review. And … Read more
Isis
Oceanic Remixes Volume III
Robotic Empire (2004)
While this may seem repetitive to say, before you listen to Volume III, it would be in your best interest to purchase the band's last full-length, Oceanic, before you listen to these remixes. After absorbing the full-length, these reworkings of tracks will make much more sense. Side A starts off with Mike Patton's rendition of the track "Maritime." Patton always … Read more
Isis
Oceanic Remixes Volume IV
Robotic Empire (2004)
The time has finally come. Originally scheduled for a release in November, printing and pressing delays pushed the album's release back to January. Fortunately we were able to pass the time with a new Isis full-length, Panopticon. But now, the fourth and final volume of the remixes and reinterpretations of Isis' titanic effort Oceanic is available for us to bear … Read more
Isis
Panopticon
Ipecac (2004)
Despite what the calendar may tell you, Christmas has arrived early this year, though much earlier than expected. To my doorstep came a US Postal Service delivery man bearing a package with my name and the Hydrahead logo on it, instantaneously I knew exactly what dwelt inside. I politely thanked Santa, who apparently goes by the name of Tom these … Read more
Isis
Temporal
Ipecac (2012)
When Isis called it a day, it felt as if a part of me was ending in a similar manner as the band had meant so much to me over the course of their prestigious run; but hanging over their end statement was the promise of one last recording to be given to the band’s listeners, and, with Temporal, the … Read more
Isis
Temporal
Ipecac (2012)
I absolutely love Isis--I can't get enough of that perfectly executed ambient/sludge mix that they've come to be known for. And for someone like me who loves them enough to delve into the deepest corners of their catalogue, their 2012 rarities compilation Temporal came as a welcome entry to their discography.Disc one begins with your standard assortment of demo material. … Read more
Isis
Wavering Radiant
Ipecac (2009)
More than ten years have passed since the first time that these eyes witnessed Isis and man does it ever make me feel old. That brash first performance to which I am referring (Paper Weight Fest in New Jersey) was an eye opening and ear deafening experience which literally changed my perceptions on music in one fell swoop. Fast forward … Read more
Isis & Aereogramme
In the Fishtank 14
Konkurrent (2006)
By now all of should know who Isis is and what to expect from them in terms of their music output. A good number of you are probably familiar with Aereogramme - for those of you not, they're a Scottish band that mixes punishing metal with melodic moments and alt-rock vocals. So what's the deal with this In the Fishtank … Read more
Islands
Return to the Sea
Equator (2006)
Islands is the kind of band that has the ability to suck you into their creative vortex and draw from you the emotions that they choose to illicit accordingly, all the while Return to the Sea remains very optimistic and upbeat. How could it not? If you are a follower of Islands leaders Nick Diamond and J'aime Tambeur (who recently … Read more
Isle of View
Gentle Firefly Radio
Undecided (2005)
Before I get to the review of Isle of View's Gentle Firefly Radio, I must state the following. This is by no means whatsoever a biased review. I like pop-punk music. I love The Descendants, earlier New Found Glory, Blink 182, and so on. But I don't like this band. Gentle Firefly Radio is very boring, and the singer's voice … Read more
Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan
Ballad of the Broken Seas
V2 (2006)
I must admit that I was shocked to hear of this collaboration, being familiar with Mark Lanegan and his work in Screaming Trees, Mad Season, Queens of the Stone Age and as a solo artist. A great deal of his material is dark, harrowing, and tends to exemplify the dirty, gravel cut images that the sound of his voice so … Read more
Ithi
Chapel Perilous
Utech (2016)
Ithi is a Brooklyn based duo, that had been so far exploring the experimental drone domain. Their 2011 release, The Persistence of Meaning, was based around the big drones, immense feedback and noise elements that they were able to conjure. A slight shift came with their next album, Within, seeing Ithi going into a more abstract, experimental rock tone. Their … Read more
Ivanhoe
Systematrix
Massacre Records (2013)
You'd think a band named after Sir Walter Scott's most famous work would tend towards the contemplative (or, at least, the historically literate). But judging by German band Ivanhoe's latest album, that characterization falls several yards beyond the mark. The truth is, there's very little intellectual merit, or even any redeeming value, to be found in Systematrix.The largest issue with … Read more
Izah
Finite Horizon / Crevice
Independent (2009)
Europe, as the old continent, contains a great deal of culture and a long history to help shape musicians and the work. Many in the United States move on obliviously with our lives while barely noticing some of the more well known bands from there. Izah is a group from the old continent that surely is under the radar of … Read more
J Church
The Horror of Life
No Idea (2007)
With the passing of Lance Hahn, the fragile punk continuum lost one of its all-time greats. Smart, critical, and relentlessly prolific, Hahn's work provided a formidable example of what could be accomplished in DIY music: punk not as a costume contest or stale doctrine, but a design for living. Hahn refused to separate his art and his life, delivering record … Read more
