Tweet

Album Details

• Artist: Isis
• Album: Oceanic
• Label: Ipecac
• Year of Release: 2002
• ME Rating: Indie Classic
• Reviewed by: dscanland on 2003-04-02

Isis has created a new subgenre: monolithic metal. Oceanic is an album that can't be taken half-heartedly. It's a monster and you are going to sink or swim in it. It has been a really long time since I have been this excited about a metal album. Death metal is something that I like, a couple songs at a time. Hardcore is getting fairly stale these days. Where metal is forging ahead is the sludge rock/black metal areas. There is pretty much an hours worth of heavy head-nodding riffs on Oceanic that demand attention every moment. I caught myself turning up the volume bit by bit as the album went along, showing that it is an album to be listened to at high volume. Aaron Turner is the brain behind the behemoth that goes by the name of Isis. Not only that, but he started the Hydra Head record label where Cave In got their start from. Oceanic shows just what Aaron had in mind when he started the label; epic style metal that is more than hardcore, more than metal, more than death metal. Isis is a band that is so heavy but easily listenable with its great building guitar walls and harsh vocals. Just listen to the album opener "The Beginning and the End" for proof. Oceanic is album that restores your faith in heavy music and is a rewarding listen every time.

User Reviews and Comments

Log In or Register to Rate Albums