Isis

fack, just read the news. for me it'll probably be between the last record and panopticon.

waswas :-(

Really great, singular band. Just read the news and v. sad there are no Texas dates on the final tour (I've seen 'em a couple times and they were always fantastic). Ah well... it is what it is, I suppose. They had a phenomenal run.

As for the albums, I never really clicked with Celestial (too post-hardcore) or Truth (too post-Tool). The other three are fantastic, and of those, Panopticon's really the one that blew me fucking sideways the first time I heard it. I probably listened to it 50 times during my 2004-05 college years, and recall citing it in my top 2-3 albums of the year (if not #1, but I can't remember for sure).

Voted Panopticon.

Long live this incredible band.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Awg99tk6vys

See, I think Panopticon is just so fucking boring. For me Isis starts and stops with Oceanic and the 2CD set of remixes. The early stuff was too Godfleshy, and Panopticon and In the Absence of Truth were just pothead bullshit. Wavering Radiant is good, in a prog/jam-band kind of way, though.

The early stuff was too Godfleshy

Hope this isn't a knock on Godflesh themselves, who are excellent.

If you're including EPs, then where is SGNL 05? That might have gotten my vote. As it stands, I love Celestial, but the honest man in me has to go with Oceanic because it's the most rewarding listen and I had the opportunity to see them live many times on that tour.

Back on the Celestial tour, we played with them. The gig was Soilent Green, Isis, Witch Mountain, and a little known local opener called YOB.

not sure how panopticon or truth are more pothead bullshit than the other records... especially when you describe wavering radiant as "prog/jam band." that's like saying "this cookie is gluten-free, but that cookie is flavourless." i'm not even really sure if that's a criticism or not.

I actually agree with Phil. I think Panopticon and Truth are bland and meandering, while Wavering Radiant at least has some hooks and heavy moments. It was a step back in the right direction after they somehow simultaneously lost their way, and picked up a million new fans. I've been scratching my head about that for the last five years.

still like Celestial way better than anything else they did.

seriously never listened to this band until today. seeing them with the melvins in 4ish weeks. downloaded four albums (this is the age we live in. deal with it vinyl junkies). Oceanic is an early standout. prefer the growling shout to singing. very very good. feels like the only thing that matters suddenly.

Truth (too post-Tool)

after one listen, totes agree

See, I think Panopticon is just so fucking boring.

Yes. Yes. Entirely. It is them gathering up the post-rock tail in the service of big stretched nothing.

Oceanic remains gorgeous.

I listened to the middle three Celestial, Oceanic and Panopticon bunches for a couple of years. Oceanic is the best of the lot.

There is a Live V as well, by the way. Show in London where they played the whole Oceanic album.

There is a Live V as well, by the way. Show in London where they played the whole Oceanic album.

true stan , my mistake.... but i think that Oceanic will top this poll.

Yep, it's gonna be Oceanic. I sure hope there are more votes than comments... it should be a crime for this thread to go so ignored!

the isis farewell tour starts the same day this poll ends....may 28th in san diego.

or should i say the day after this poll ends .....

Oceanic was the first one I heard.Liked it much.

The rest ; formulaic

really hard for me to imagine anybody being passionate about this band, good or bad. maybe i got into them too late. to me they always seem like something to listen to when i can't think of anything else. like metal muzak. my vote is for Oceanic.

Automatic thread bump. This poll is closing tomorrow.

Oceanic was the first one I heard.Liked it much.

The rest ; formulaic

Surely Oceanic follows its own muse (read: formula) for its entire running length, though?

Automatic thread bump. This poll's results are now in.

Looks about right (though I wish the comments had been a bit busier in this thread; too few fans!).

Celestial deserved more

Most of my friends would say Celestial is the only good one (not counting the early EPs).

It's weird to me that we're on a forum for music fans and writers, and they're first hearing of bands like this so late in their career. Way to have your ear to the ground guys ;)

not me!

panopticon actually got second place after all the shit talk upthread? wow. i'm even more surprised that the remix record got so few votes, but as ilxor mentioned, so few people actually participated. it's a rule of thumb for me to stay away from remix records, but for the most part, the people involved with this particular project do a great job of reinterpreting the songs.

fuck Im going to miss their last LA show next weekend. =(

rip

Haha, Herman. I know your ear is covered in paleolithic sludge.

I voted for Celestial, I believe. Or if I didn't, I meant to.

surprised Celestial did so poorly. after a week and half with them, I feel like it's gotta be 1) Oceanic, 2) Celestial, and then I just don't really care for the others, but I've only listened to the full lengths. will check out the remix record.

Panopticon is great, and when for a few years it really was my fave, but Oceanic then went back to being my favourite. But Celestial is the one I go back to most now.

i never really heard Celestial until this weekend and now it's like getting an awesome new Isis record just when I need one

it kind of sounds like all those bands trying to be Isis, but better.

Aaron Turner on the entire Isis discography, possible future live DVD, further (non-Isis) plans:

http://www.self-titledmag.com/home/2010/06/04/primer-aaron-turner-revisits-isis-entire-catalog-and-shares-a-project-by-project-breakdown-of-whats-on-tap-next/

Last show before they call it a day, June 23rd 2010, Montreal. :-(

Anyone go see them?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOQlQ07BpLg

setlist of that last show:
1. From Sinking
2. Not In Rivers, But In Drops
3. Holy Tears
4. Threshold Of Transformation
5. Ghost Key
6. Collapse And Crush
7. So Did We

8. In Fiction
9. The Beginning And The End

yeah i was there. flew in from toronto for it. great crowd, great set. i think people were giving me cut-eye for wearing a cave-in shirt though. also, during the final notes of "the beginning and the end" someone jumped off the stage and onto my face. no one was really ready to catch that person, as we were all pretty transfixed by what was happening on stage.

i had read the VV review of their show from a few days before, and can say that i really didn't find the band sounding "proggy" in the least. maybe the size and acoustics of the venue had something to do with it, but they sounded just as visceral as i imagined.

That video of "So Did We" really kills. Glad to see its rightful placement closing out their final set. Was always my favorite Isis tune.

Congratulations! http://www.toolband.com/news/main.php (16 August)

AARON HARRIS MARRIED

Congratulations to AARON HARRIS and his lovely bride ALEXANDRA on their recent marriage in Santa Monica. Guests were treated to a great ceremony and reception, and among them were several members of Tool. In fact, as for wedding gifts, along with glasses, plates and bowls there was a DANNY CAREY signature snare drum. As Buzz (Melvins) commented, hopefully Alexandra won't use it as a salad container. Although I don't have any wedding photos, here's a shot of Aaron with ISIS that was taken by Justin Chambers.

http://207.7.138.58/images/news/AHARRIS.jpg

The forty-minute version of "Here Comes The Bride" must have been a hoot.

Not that these live albums are bad, but there must be PA recordings that are better than some of these audience tape sourced LPs?

http://ymlp.com/z1lB6K

Pretty nice 2 part retrospective:
http://www.decibelmagazine.com/featured/stars-now-beneath-their-feet-isis-remembers-isis-part-one/
http://www.decibelmagazine.com/featured/away-in-the-sea-of-red-isis-remembers-isis-part-2/

Meanwhile, 11 people agree: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Isis-Need-to-Reunite/173355206043279

http://aaronharris-audio.com/2011/08/02/blood-sweat-and-vinyl-documentary/

O_O. OK what song is that playing in the trailer at the end?

20 completely samey looking live performances, awesome

rarities compilation in the works

http://www.theprp.com/2012/01/06/news/new-isis-release-in-the-works/

OMG Isis have rarities...you guys are so ahead of me!

Temporal: Nov. 6th

http://www.jambase.com/Articles/94962/Isis-Temporal

such bad memories of this band

Yeah, they suck. I can't imagine anyone ever liking pretentious crap like this. (is that better, ILM hivemind? I'll stop reviving this thread as well - scrolling back made it pretty clear)

no, i got hit in the mouth by a sweaty dread at one of their shows

good show otherwise

http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=178744

Celestial reissue on July 9th with new artwork & remastered by James Plotkin

http://www.bravewords.com/news/205209

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dEHiqS_J_GI/UbOkIJVTUGI/AAAAAAAABvU/jIlwt84GwFk/s1600/ISIS_CELESTIAL_cover.jpg
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qa2FPeAcU08/UbOkIGzqpCI/AAAAAAAABvQ/nkjYI-rL9MU/s1600/ISIS_CELESTIAL_backcover.jpg
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yBt21lyJtOw/UbOkG5n0C9I/AAAAAAAABu4/9erLGOrIx3U/s1600/ISIS_CELESTIAL_12_Innersleeve_1_F.jpg
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yRlne7OI_oM/UbOkHUHut4I/AAAAAAAABvA/2kRDq0rBvdQ/s1600/ISIS_CELESTIAL_12_Innersleeve_2_F.jpg
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JLPcNyCVS3M/UbOkGpLvK3I/AAAAAAAABuw/AE8gSUcy_ao/s1600/ISIS_CELESTIAL_12_Innersleeve_1_B.jpg
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--SbV1kWtB90/UbOkGxYqGwI/AAAAAAAABu0/3DbBsvK4P0Q/s1600/ISIS_CELESTIAL_12_Innersleeve_2_B.jpg

um, I meant http://aaronbturner.blogspot.com

lol

http://abcnews.go.com/US/isis-rock-band-mistaken-reviled-terrorist-group/story?id=25088363

an inactive band of musicians and a band of terrorists

ben bridwell just had to go w/ "horses"

clanging of the swords tour

This years Sumac album really is great. It's not shoegazy , it's crushing!

So there's another live one coming up, recorded in 2010, preorder starts tomorrow: https://www.facebook.com/158503560864483/photos/a.330251463689691.69828.158503560864483/1267970656584429/?type=3&theater

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8mHp7YTQDk