 Style: Sludge
Year of birth: 1997
Country: USA
Views: 9247. Updated: 03 January, 2005 by Project Moderators
Biography of BandAn initial bout of musical experimentation in the fall of 1997 is attended by favorable circumstances and results in the formation of ISIS-the core members of which are Jeff Caxide (bass), Aaron Turner (guitars/vocals) and Aaron Harris (drums). Various lineup shifts ensue before and during the recording of their debut EP, Mosquito Control (Escape Artist) and follow-up EP, The Red Sea (Second Nature). By the summer of 1999, the current ISIS lineup has taken shape with the addition of guitarist Mike Gallagher (ex-Cast Iron Hike) and electronics coordinator Cliff Meyer (ex-The Gersch). A triumphant tour with space rock sorcerers Cave In establishes ISIS' national presence, a position soon capitalized upon by a brief but fulfilling campaign with extremity experts Neurosis.
The millennium would see ISIS back out on the road (with Candiria and Dillinger Escape Plan) and in the studio recording their debut full-length, Celestial (Escape Artist, released summer 2000) and companion EP, Sgnl>05 (Neurot Recordings, released spring 2001), the latter of which includes a remix courtesy of industrial grandsire Justin Broadrick of Godflesh. The two releases remain landmarks in the ISIS catalog, leagues ahead of previous efforts both sonically and conceptually. Indeed, for those who took the time to immerse themselves in the attendant semiotics of the two records, the rewards were many. Celestial was not merely heavy for heavy's sake; it revealed the highly detailed and often subtle nature of ISIS' aural and visual blueprints-Sgnl>05 was an even more ambient extension of these latent aesthetics.
Spring 2001 brought the now infamous tour with Keelhaul and newly reformed sludge parsons Eyehategod, followed by support slots for UK grind titans Napalm Death and a summer headlining tour with Swiss hardcore machinists Knut and enfant terrible Joe Preston, a.k.a. Thrones. It is during this period of prolific cross-country excursion that ISIS' national exposure nears its apex.
With the pale seasons at hand, fall and winter 2001 commenced a brief hibernation period during which most of the music that would become Oceanic was written. Whereas Celestial was the culmination of past efforts, a full realization of ISIS' collective talents, Oceanic is the re-envisioning of that ideal, striking a balance between gravity and complexity, achieving a dynamic equilibrium through the sharpening and honing of harmonic elements. Featuring texturally enhancing guest performances from Ayal Naor and Maria Christopher of 27, Oceanic is clarity through understatement; total conceptual and atmospheric control via the harnessing of hydraulic and instrumental inspiration. Paring back the density of previous releases to reveal a more articulated melodic infrastructure, Oceanic is highly meditative and perceptually abstract, vaguely hallucinatory and eminently contemplative. Due out on Ipecac Recordings in September, it is a striking testament to ISIS' ongoing evolution. |
Members of ISIS
Current Members:
Aaron Turner (Founder). In Band at: 1997 - . Role: Vocals, Guitars
Side projects: Old Man Gloom, House of Low Culture, Lotus Eaters
Mike Gallagher (Guest). In Band at: 1999 - . Role: Guitars
Side projects: Cast Iron Hike
Jeff Caxide (Founder). In Band at: 1997 - . Role: Bass
Side projects: House of Low Culture, Red Sparowes
Aaron Harris (Founder). In Band at: 1997 - . Role: Drums
Bryant Clifford Meyer (Guest). In Band at: 1999 - . Role: Electronics
Side projects: The Gersch, Red Sparowes
Past Members:
Randy Larson (Guest). In Band at: 1998 - . Role: Guitars
Chris Mereshuk (Guest). In Band at: 1998 - . Role: Keyboards
Jay Randall (Guest). Period: 1999 - 2000. Role: Electronics
Side projects: House of Low Culture, Agoraphobic Nosebleed |
DiscographyDemo: Demo (1998) Studio: Hydra Head Records. Tracklist.
Lineup: Jeff Caxide - bass; Chris Merschuk - electronics, vocals; Aaron Harris - drums; Aaron Turner - vocals, guitars
EP: Mosquito Control (1998) Studio: Escape Artist Records. Tracklist.
Lineup: A. Harris - drums; A. Turner - vocals, guitars; C. Mereschuk - electronics, vocals; J. Caxide - bass
EP: The Red Sea (1999) Studio: Second Nature Recordings. Tracklist.
Lineup: A. Harris - drums; A. Turner - vocals, guitars; J. Randall - electronics, vocals; J. Caxide - bass; M. Gallagher - guitars
Comment: Combined with the 1998 demo (last 4 tracks).
EP: Mosquito Control / The Red Sea (1999) Studio: Ritual Records. Tracklist.
Lineup: As in originals.
Comment: 2CD EP + Demo 1998, with 2 bonus-tracks - Japan release.
Split: Isis / Pig Destroyer Split 7" (1999) Studio: Relapse Records. Tracklist.
Lineup: A. Harris - drums; A. Turner - vocals, guitars; J. Caxide - bass; M. Gallagher - guitars; J. Randall - electronics, vocals
EP: Sawblade (2000) Studio: Tortuga Recordings. Tracklist.
Lineup: A. Harris - drums; A. Turner - vocals, guitars; J. Caxide - bass; M. Gallagher - guitars; B. Meyer - electronics, guitars & vocals on track 3; J. Randall - electronics on track 2
Comment: Collaboration with Merzbow. Limited to 250 copies.
CD: Celestial (2000) Studio: Escape Artist Records. Tracklist.
Lineup: A. Harris - drums; A. Turner - vocals, guitars; J. Caxide - bass; M. Gallagher - guitars; B. Meyer - electronics, guitars, vocals
Comment: Also released as 2LP. Release in Japan - as 2CD (+ SGNL>05 EP).
EP: SGNL>05 (2001) Studio: Neurot Recordings. Tracklist.
Lineup: A. Harris - drums; A. Turner - vocals, guitars; J. Caxide - bass; M. Gallagher - guitars; B. Meyer - electronics, guitars, vocals
Comment: Also released as LP. Release in Japan - as 2CD (+ Celestian)
CD: Oceanic (2002) Studio: Hydra Head Records. Tracklist.
Lineup: A. Harris - drums; A. Turner - vocals, guitars; J. Caxide - bass; M. Gallagher - guitars; B. Meyer - electronics, guitars, vocals. Guests: Ayl Noar on
Comment: Also released as 2LP
EP: Oceanic Remixes Vol. I (2004) Studio: Robotic Empire. Tracklist.
Lineup: A. Harris - drums; A. Turner - vocals, guitars; J. Caxide - bass; M. Gallagher - guitars; B. Meyer - electronics, guitars, vocals
Comment: First release in a four part series. Limited to 2500 copies.
EP: Oceanic Remixes Vol. II (2004) Studio: Robotic Empire. Tracklist.
Lineup: A. Harris - drums; A. Turner - vocals, guitars; J. Caxide - bass; M. Gallagher - guitars; B. Meyer - electronics, guitars, vocals
Comment: 2nd release in a four part series. Limited to 2500.
EP: Oceanic Remixes Vol. III (2004) Studio: Robotic Empire. Tracklist.
Lineup: A. Harris - drums; A. Turner - vocals, guitars; J. Caxide - bass; M. Gallagher - guitars; B. Meyer - electronics, guitars, vocals
Comment: 3rd release in a four part series. Limited to 2500.
CD: Panopticon (2004) Studio: Ipecac Recordings. Tracklist.
Lineup: A. Harris - drums; A. Turner - vocals, guitars; J. Caxide - bass; M. Gallagher - guitars; B. Meyer - electronics, guitars, vocals
EP: Oceanic Remixes Vol. IV (2004) Studio: Robotic Empire. Tracklist.
Lineup: A. Harris - drums; A. Turner - vocals, guitars; J. Caxide - bass; M. Gallagher - guitars; B. Meyer - electronics, guitars, vocals
Comment: There is an error on every copy which reads "Volume three" instead of "Volume four" on the label. Limited to 2500 copies. |
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