Melvins / Isis, Split
Posted on 26th Jul 10 by Jonathan Keane | 
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The word bittersweet is used so much in disappointing situations like this. Sometimes it can be a little melodramatic but elsewhere, and here being one of them, it’s apt and suitable. In mid May post metal pioneers and one of the few genuinely innovative bands of the last 10-plus years, Isis, decided to part ways. [...]
The word bittersweet is used so much in disappointing situations like this. Sometimes it can be a little melodramatic but elsewhere, and here being one of them, it’s apt and suitable. In mid May post metal pioneers and one of the few genuinely innovative bands of the last 10-plus years, Isis, decided to part ways.
Isis
The announcement came as an utter shock to fans, considering recent touring had been successful and last year’s Wavering Radiant effort was nothing short of stunning. This split EP with sludge veterans Melvins will be Isis’ last oeuvre, the last piece of work (albeit small) that they will ever put their name to.
Speculation is still abounding that the band will ensure some live material as well as their ambient pieces from their stage show see the light of day, but this EP marks the last semi-new music from the band.
The first two tracks are from Melvins, being two alternative versions of Pig House and I’ll Finish You Off from latest record The Bride Screamed Murder, released in June. Their 21st album, it’s a continuation of their deafening groove driven cacophony that they’ve been wrestling with for nigh on 30 years.
Isis’ first track Way Through Woven Branches, a Wavering Radiant b-side, is actually making a reappearance here, having been a bonus track on the Japanese release of the album. It has beautiful cascading melodies across its 6 minutes, heavily accentuated by Aaron Turner’s weaving hypnotic voice.
The Pliable Foe is similar in that it’s heavily based on melody over more of the sludgy soundscapes so associated with Isis. It’s all led by clean vocals for the most part and represents some of the styles explored on In The Absence Of Truth but with Wavering Radiant’s tone and vibe overriding all.
The band stated that “Isis has done everything we wanted to do, said everything we wanted to say”. So it’s doubtless that they can exit with their heads held massively high with a spectacular last album and these two tracks creating a breathtaking swansong.
Drop-d Rating: 8/10
Tags: Aaron Turner, In The Absence Of Truth, ISIS, Melvins, sludge, split, The Bride Screamed Murder, Wavering Radiant