Lambgoat - Review - 22/06/2004 |
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ALBUM OF THE WEEKISOR - Post Mortem Peep ShowOur Rating - 85To be honest with everyone, I don’t much experience with England. I have never been there, but I know, as well as everyone else, that some classic bands have originated there. Now I have heard another band to thoroughly enjoy from the land of Iron Maiden and Napalm Death. I’m so glad I received this album, because England’s ISOR has made an album that restores my faith in the metal/hardcore genre.I haven’t heard an album this creative in a long time. ISOR has only two members, but what these guys lack in numbers, they make up in sheer brutality. This album has to be the musical equivalent of being beaten with pool sticks and then set on fire. Imagine the hardcore chaos of ‘screamin’-era Deadguy, the melodic chaos of Drowningman, the wonderful, raw sound of ‘petitioning’-era Converge (check ‘Techno Sonic Sunshine’) and the groove of ‘chaos ad’-era Sepultura, all mixed together. Does that seem like too much to cram into one album? It might, but ISOR makes it work. Nothing about this album is static. I am amazed at the ways these two Brits find to make such chaotic songs come together with such groove. Nothing is overdone, and nothing is underplayed. The guitar work is quite interesting, because every song demonstrates how creative guitarist/vocalist Dave Merricks can be. There is plenty of chaotic fret-work, as well as some eerie clean parts, which are dropped in at some odd places, but still fit perfectly. Nick Hemingway’s drumming is brutal and technical, yet quite tasteful. This sounds so much better to me than many technical drummers I’ve heard who try to revolve a song solely around themselves. Vocally, Merricks has a good, mid-range scream, but also uses a powerful, spoken-word style to keep things diverse. The songs on “Post Mortem Peep Show” are so dynamic in every way, and it makes for a very interesting listen. The riffs jump back and forth, and never settle long enough to wear out the listener. There is a very dissonant sound to many songs, which I could attribute to many different influences, but it never sounds like a rip-off. There are a few big breakdowns, which would please any hardcore fan, but they are never overplayed. There are also enough odd time signatures and quick tempo shifts to make any math-core nerd smile. Then ISOR will drop a mean groove, and it comes out incredibly catchy, which is very similar to what Sepultura was doing in the early 90's. The production on this album is nice and solid, although I could use some more low end, but that might be hard since there is no bassist in this group. Bottom Line: I sincerely hope this is the future of metal/hardcore. There is literally something for everyone here, and the sum is definitely greater than its parts. This album is superb, and I don’t think there is a single song that is weak. ISOR has found the perfect blend of everything that is fun and angry about metal and hardcore alike. If you happen to be a fan of Drowningman, Deadguy, Converge, and the Dillinger Escape Plan, then you'll want to hear this album. Favorite Track: Perfecting the Vegan Death Grip Rob McFeters LambGoat |
