1. Is… Read Full Bio ↴There are at least eight artists that have used the name Isis:
1. Isis was a Los Angeles, CA based band that started in Boston, MA in 1997. They borrowed from and helped to evolve a sound pioneered by the likes of Neurosis and Godflesh, creating heavy music consisting primarily of lengthy songs that focus on repetition and evolution of structure and texture. As such, their music encompasses a considerable range of genres. Some of these include sludge metal, doom metal, progressive metal, post-hardcore and post-metal; the band is considered a pioneer of the latter sub-genre. Their origins can be traced back to raw sludge not too far off from dissonant metalcore as evidenced by their early EPs. Later Isis records saw them increasing the use of post-rock influences and incorporating several Tool-isms into their overall sound, namely bass lines very similar in nature to Tool, the Tool snare sound present in their records ever since Ænima and guitar melodies/riffing derived from Tool's unique progressive metal style. Aaron Harris is noted for playing his drumkit without snares, which is what allowed him to replicate the Tool sound. He is currently an inactive drummer.
The band released their last and most recent album, Wavering Radiant, on May 5, 2009. Aaron Turner has expressed he wishes Panopticon had been the band's last album as he did not like the direction Isis was taking.
Several sessions of experimentation in Boston, MA led friends Aaron Turner (guitar/vocals, also the owner of Hydra Head Records and its subsidiary, HH Noise Industries), Jeff Caxide (bass guitar), Chris Mereschuk (electronics/vocals) and Aaron Harris (drums) to form Isis in late 1997. As Turner states, "Isis formed as a result of the dissatisfaction with past bands of the founding members. None of us were happy with what we were doing musically at the time, two of us lived together, we had similar tastes and similar record collections." Isis released a demo and their first EP, Mosquito Control, in 1998, with this line-up. After an East Coast tour in the summer of 1998 in which Randy Larsen of Cable joined them on guitar, Mereschuk left the band. Jay Randall (now of Agoraphobic Nosebleed) soon replaced him, working on Red Sea (1999). However, his stay would not last; this ultimately led to the addition of Bryant Clifford Meyer of The Gersch as well as former Cast Iron Hike guitarist Michael Gallagher in 1999. After releasing their debut full-length, Celestial, and its sister EP, SGNL>05 (on Neurot Recordings), in 2000, Isis gained national underground attention in the metal/hardcore scene through tours with Cave In and Neurosis. Isis remained with this lineup until their breakup. Celestial was their most aggressive and visceral record but it still possessed all the elements they further developed as their songwriting evolved.
For the SGNL>05 EP, they contacted Justin Broadrick (of Godflesh and Jesu) through their friends in Neurosis to remix the title track from Celestial, which they used as the EP's closer. Following SGNL>05, Isis signed with Mike Patton's label, Ipecac Recordings, who have issued the band's subsequent studio albums.
Whereas Celestial was still deeply rooted in metal and hardcore, 2002's follow-up, Oceanic, saw the band acquire new characteristics comparable to post-rock and ambient music, significantly aiding in the birth of the genre of post-metal in what many saw as a logical progression. While much of the material on the album retained the band's former "metallic" intensity, this departure saw the band appeal to a far wider audience with its balance of melancholic post-rock/subtle melody and the raw power present in Celestial; as a result, Oceanic may be the group's most noted album to date, and is widely considered a turning point in the history of the band. Turner himself describes it as their "quintessential album". It was at the time their most successful release, receiving album-of-the-year accolades from Rock Sound and Terrorizer in 2002. In October 2003, Isis relocated to Los Angeles.
The distinctive tone of material since and including Oceanic had a noticeable impact on avant-garde metal, helping develop the sound of several contemporaries; Cult of Luna, Pelican, Tides, Rosetta, and Russian Circles all cite Isis as an influence. This underground success attracted the attention of the likes of Mogwai, with whom they have toured on numerous occasions.
Oceanic: Remixes and Reinterpretations was released in 2004, featuring reinterpretations of songs from Oceanic by a number of influential artists requested by the band. Both Oceanic and Oceanic Remixes feature female vocals by Maria Christopher of the band 27. The album featured another remix by Justin Broadrick, who has supported Isis on tours with his band, Jesu, which is signed to Hydra Head Records.
2004 saw the release of Isis' third album, Panopticon. It signified a further progression many had predicted since Oceanic, with a more advanced post-rock feel to the music both structurally and in terms of sound. It displayed a more prominent use of clean vocals seamlessly intertwined with heavy passages and harsh vocals, although it is their least vocal album. Justin Chancellor of Tool makes an appearance on the track "Altered Course". Overall, it was a very well received album, being awarded 'album of the year' accolades from Rock Sound and reaching #47 on Billboard's Top Independent Albums charts, their first entry into any mainstream charts. Before touring the USA, the band performed a free concert at the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art, a manifestation of the widespread recognition the band had acquired in artistic circles since the release of Oceanic. Reacting to the impact of Oceanic and Panopticon, Revolver named Isis the twelfth heaviest band of all time in December 2004. On 23 July 2006, they performed Oceanic in full at KOKO in London as part of All Tomorrow's Parties Don't Look Back season.
Originally set for release on August 22, 2006, Clearing the Eye, the band's first DVD, documenting performances over the past five years throughout the world, was put on indefinite hold due to issues involving their label, Ipecac Recordings. It was eventually released on September 26, 2006. Also in September 2006, a collaboration with Aereogramme entitled In the Fishtank 14 was released as part of a project of Dutch label Konkurrent in which two artists are given two days' studio time to write and record their work.
The band finished recording their fourth full-length album, In the Absence of Truth, on July 9, 2006. It was released on October 31, 2006 on Ipecac. The record sees the band again evolving in a manner similar to Oceanic and Panopticon, it could be described as a mix of the best characteristics of these two albums but this time adding new elements of electronics, song structure, drumming complexity, and vocal techniques. It sees the emergence of a more melodic sound than before, and leanings away from previous "drone" inclinations and towards more traditional metal elements, predominantly in the heavier sections. It was also their most commercially successful release, peaking at #6 on Billboard's Top Heatseekers chart.
Isis were the opening act for Tool's late 2006 North American tour in support of their new album, 10,000 Days. This led to increased exposure for the band; however, the band members are not particularly comfortable with fame, and tend to keep their affairs private. Turner has stated that "We never imagined that Isis would become as successful or as popular as it has", and confesses: "[Fans] taking a deeply personal interest in who I am, it fucking freaks me out. And I really do feel like sometimes when I get approached, I’m retreating into my shell."
As of February 2007, the band has enlisted Justin Broadrick to mix a live performance of Oceanic in full, and there is also a possibility of a collaboration with Tim Hecker, as Turner said in an MTV interview: "We've been recording everything that we've been playing together. It was all largely improvised but based on some really basic premises and parameters. That might actually end up turning into another record for us."
The band's fifth studio album, Wavering Radiant, was released by Ipecac Recordings on CD on May 5, 2009 and in a limited vinyl edition (Light Blue 100 copies, Dark Blue 400 copies, Yellow 900 copies) on April 29, 2009. The album features Adam Jones of Tool. Wavering Radiant is by far their most contemplative, sad, progressive, melancholic and melodic record. It serves as a more than apt swansong and closing chapter for the band.
In April 2009, the band won in the category "Best Underground Metal Act" at Revolver's 'Golden Gods' awards ceremony.
The band was confirmed to play the 2010 Bonnaroo Festival in Manchester, Tennessee.
On May 18th, Isis announced their decision to break up following their West Coast tour, with their final show to be in Montreal - the location of the band's very first show - on June 23, 2010. Isis collectively stated they have "done everything we wanted to do, said everything we wanted to say," and, as part of an agreement made by the band at its formation, it did not wish to be faced with the possibility that it would "push past the point of a dignified death."
The band Palms is sometimes regarded as a successor to Isis; it features Isis' members Jeff Caxide, Aaron Harris, and Bryant Clifford Meyer, as well as vocalist Chino Moreno of Deftones.
2) Isis is a female rapper that released an album in the early nineties, called "Rebel Soul". She was associated with the Blackwatch Movement. She's now better known under the name "Lin Que", and is working to release a new CD.
3) Isis is a 21 year old Nigerian-born and Canadian-raised newcomer to the hip-hop scene. In less than a year, Isis has shared stages with Bahamadia, Vast Aire (of Definitive Jux), M1 (of Dead Prez), hip-hop band Tumi, the Volume of District Six Music, and T.I. She has performed on Show Time at the Apollo and at Montreal's International Jazz Festival. Isis launched her "MySpace MyCouch" Tour, a clever set of gigs established solely through her contacts on MySpace. She recently self-released her debut album, The Last Minute EP. She also appears on the compilation album "Underground Hip-Hop Volume Four".
4) There is also a 1970s all-female American 7-piece psychedelic/progressive rock band called Isis, who released two albums in 1974-1975.
5) Also, there exists a mexican urban rock band, called Isis. Active these days.
6) Being one of the first female pioneers in electronic dance music, ISIS is now considered to be one of the world’s Top Ten female dj’s in the tech-house area.
Her deejay-sets can be best described as a refreshing adventure through the here and now of modern dance music. Her style is sparkling and unconventional. The industry sometimes categorizes Isis as a so-called tech-house deejay, but Isis herself defines her sets as: “a mixture of mainly electronical, repetitive dance music with a touch of minimal and electro. The harmony within the individual tracks and the whole mix is my guideline”. Also, her sets are characterized by various ethnical influences, for instance African, Eastern, Latin American and Dub.
7) In Brisbane Australia, Isis was also the name of an independent folk/rock band with a feminist message and a strong following in the local music scene whilst together between 1991-1998. The band reformed by invitation in 2000 to play two shows for the 25th birthday of community radio station 4ZZZ. Members have since gone on to other projects.
8) Isis was a Freestyle Artist who had a single called "Let Me Hold You" produced by Todd Terry.
Hand of the Host
Isis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That vice indulged
Bleeds the living
Of their trust
And now the
Chosen children play
Never to
Hand of the host
Extended out
From his fingers
Dangles scented flesh
Bodies often spun
From infant minds
Perfect in their
Empty conception
To be devoured
By my lustful heart
I am commanded
"Do as thou wilt"
Through the halls
I am led
Following
I am led
"Writhe and gnaw
Each other's flesh"
He lies uncovered
This ancient man
Of bristle and bone
Hoary and unwashed
His lonely soul
Fills the room
Our reverie lays broken
Broken on the floor
Cast him out into the throngs
Out into unholy laughter
The lyrics to Isis's song Hand of the Host describe a surreal and disturbing scene of vice, indulgence, and corruption. The first line sets the stage for the setting of the song; it is in this place that vice is indulged and it is slowly bleeding the living of their trust. The second stanza is particularly evocative as it describes the Chosen children who play, never to lay rest. The Hand of the host is then extended out, dangling scented flesh, hinting at perhaps cannibalistic activities. The third verse continues on this theme, detailing how bodies often spun from infant minds are perfect in their empty conception, and are devoured by the lustful heart of the singer. The singer is commanded to do as they will, leading them through the halls, following where led. The final stanza describes an ancient man, broken and lonely, whose unwashed presence fills the room. The reverie of the scene is finally broken, as the singer casts him out into the throngs and unholy laughter.
One of the interesting things about the song is its title, which could refer to the hand of a host or the hand of the Holy Host. Given the lyrics, it's likely that the latter is meant, which would lend a sinister undertone to the proceedings. Another interesting fact is that Isis is known for their heavy, improvisational performances, and Hand of the Host is one of their more experimental and avant-garde tracks. The band members have said in interviews that the song was heavily influenced by the writings of Aleister Crowley, particularly his book "The Book of the Law". The album that features the song, "Sawblade", was co-produced by Steve Albini, who has worked with several other well-known alternative and indie bands like Nirvana and Pixies. The song's music video was directed by Dominic Hailstone and features footage of the band performing the song in an abandoned warehouse interspersed with surreal and abstract images. The video was banned by MTV due to its disturbing content. The song has been covered by several other bands, including Italian post-metal group Lento and UK metal band Bossk. The lyrics to the song have been analyzed and interpreted in various ways, with some fans speculating that the song is about addiction or the destructive nature of humanity. The song's structure is unique, with constantly shifting rhythms and time signatures, lending it an unpredictable and disorienting feeling. Interestingly enough, the song's opening riff was originally used by the band as background music for a commercial for an energy drink.
Chords (as played on guitar):
Verse: F#m, D6, Bm, F#m
Chorus: G, A, F, Bm
Bridge: D, E, G, A, F, Bm.
Line by Line Meaning
It is here
We have arrived at a place
That vice indulged
Where people satisfy their immoral desires
Bleeds the living
Causes harm to the innocent
Of their trust
Erasing their faith in goodness
And now the
At this moment, the situation is such that
Chosen children play
Selected individuals are having fun
Never to
It is not going to happen that
Lay rest
They will not stop their activities
Hand of the host
The master's hand
Extended out
Hanging straight down
From his fingers
Connected by his fingers
Dangles scented flesh
Swings a fragrant piece of meat
Bodies often spun
Children's imagination often creates
From infant minds
From a naive mind
Perfect in their
Flawless in their
Empty conception
Purely imaginative creation
To be devoured
Waiting to be eaten
By my lustful heart
Consumed by my greedy thoughts
I am commanded
I am instructed
"Do as thou wilt"
"You are free to do what you want"
Through the halls
Across the corridors
I am led
I am taken
Following
In pursuit
I am led
I am brought
"Writhe and gnaw
"Squirm and bite
Each other's flesh"
On each other's skin"
He lies uncovered
He is exposed
This ancient man
This old man
Of bristle and bone
With rough hair and thin body
Hoary and unwashed
Grey and not clean
His lonely soul
His isolated self
Fills the room
Dominate the area
Our reverie lays broken
Our illusion is destroyed
Broken on the floor
Shattered and fallen on the ground
Cast him out into the throngs
Throw him into the crowd
Out into unholy laughter
Out to the diabolical mirth
Contributed by Sophie C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Bob Loafer
I think I have too agree on this being their greatest song
Neel: The Other
I don't know bout that, because:
Hall of the Dead, So Did We, Backlit, In Fiction, Altered Course, The Beginning of the End, The Other, False Light and Weight.
Neel: The Other
I can't get enough of the bass tone all over this record. So intimate and yet so cold.
Eduardo Cruz
The bass is unbelievable, the intro... what a song, masterpiece
Gumbo72203
I just got this album on vinyl finally, and this song specifically is SOOO much more incredible when they get to that dark evil trippy breakdown at 7:45 or so. So fucking cool.
ssmith87
wavering radiant is my favorite album from isis
ZombicidalMan
I don't give a damn what genre it is. It's beautiful, ferocious, transcending, and epic, all at the same time. Wavering Radiant wasn't Isis' best album, but this song is one of the best pieces Isis has created, in my opinion.
Jay
Best song on the album and one of my favorite Isis songs ever.
Marc Rees
This band are absolutely essential to music!
Larry Alvarez
That drum breakdown at the end before he starts screaming is just right