ISIS
Mosquito Control

Release Date: 1998 | Tracklist

This first EP by Post metal heavyweights Isis is a teaser of the huge success and majestic soundscapes they would later create with Oceanic and Panopticon. It sounds more like Isis than you might think.

The most surprising thing about this EP is that it could still be considered Post-metal. I expected there to be more of a dominant hardcore/doom sound and maybe some small hints of how their sound would later evolve, however they sounded far more like the Isis we know now than I expected. While there are clearly still heavy hardcore and doom influences at this early stage in their career, there are some ambient interludes and brooding instrumental sections that, (whilst a bit more polished) are a huge component of their later sound. The sound in some parts is also reminiscent of Through Silver In Blood era Neurosis which is another indication they were dabbling in what would later be crowned Post-metal very early in their career.

Some of the main differences in sound on this compared to their later releases stem from this simply being a more raw and primal recording by a band just finding their feet and exploring their sound. The guitar sound revolves largely around frenetic riffing and it is very abrasive compared to their later releases. There are some of their trademark intertwining, melodic build ups and interludes but not as many as there would be in the future. The vocals are also very raw and there is much less variety than later releases. I’m sure by now you’re picking up on a theme here, this is basically the sound of an embryonic and less refined Isis. All the signs of their colossal sound can be seen here and it is easy to see how they evolved the way they did once given time to develop. A must for serious fans of the band.

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3.7 great

Rank: #0 for 1998