Lambgoat - Review |
 | 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 |
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Inaudible Magazine - Live Review |
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Tartarean Desire - Review |
.jpg) | ISOR - Post Mortem Peep Show9/10ISOR's fourth studio effort finally managed to grow into a full length album. Their previous 3 EP's were sold through their website, but a Copro Records / Casket Music contract landed in their lap with "Post Mortem Peep Show". The record is a collection of songs written with irony and madness, fueled by tremendous anger for all that is found in today's society. Themes of all songs revolve around certain social conflicts and the way these guys chose to express their feelings about all this is nothing less than brilliant. Wave after wave of frightning and astonishing attitude, extreme paranoia, a totally new form of irony and confusion, powerful music filling the room. No choruses in any of the songs and no repeated themes in most cases either. The only thing that might come close to resembling a chorus is in "I Know What Rhymes With Orange". The compositions just flow from beginning to end, from one passage to the next, constantly changing attitude, feeling and rhythm. The fury that is thrown at you over and over, combined with the message and unexpected, sudden changes almost make you feel the paranoia in the first person. Technically these guys can take on almost anything in this area of music. Rarely do we have the chance of stumbling onto a band with so much power, taste, and so many ideas concentrated into 3 or 4 minutes of a song. All of this and even more from only a duo.Cseke Róbert Tartarean Desire - (Sweden) |
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Subliminal Wavelength - Review |
 | British metalcore duo ISOR have sprung onto the heavy music scene with this, their debut album on Copro records. First thing to say is that seeing as the typical metalcore group consists of at least 4 or 5 members, the fact these two boys can make such an awe inspiringly immense barrage of noise is truly jaw dropping. The lyrical content rarely takes itself too seriously, a definite oddity in the metalcore scene; instead it is left to the music itself to convey the sincerity and out and out viscous brutality of the music. Their chosen genre, being what it is, can make it difficult to produce an album that is instantly striking and gripping from beginning to end; yet that’s precisely what has been achieved here. Stand out tracks include “Coping with Your Ginger Secret” and “I Know What Rhymes With Orange”. All in all an intimidating debut effort 5/5 Mark James Subliminal Wavelength |
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A.S.F.R. - Review |
 | Cripes, how only two people can make such a monumental sound beats me… but singer/guitarist Dave.S.Merricks and drummer Nick Hemingway seem to find the lack of bodies around them hasn’t dampened their momentum one jot. The boy’s if ISOR (no idea what or who this refers to…) have penned an impressive arsenal of brutal-esque mini masterpieces for this their debut release on Copro Records. Like a Molotov cocktail, ISOR have managed to carefully mix dubious sounding track names, power and heaviness akin to an early-day Sepultura, lyrics delivered in a similar vein to Hatebreed and the nerve to serve it all up in one short sharp burst which will have you running for cover. Whilst this album may not forge any massive change in the face of metal, the signs are that the seeds have been sown here for an exciting future. Anderz ‘A Short Fanzine about Rocking’ |
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DeadTide - Review |
 | Isor shred nerves and skin with Post Mortem Peep Show. The songs twist and turn like a bottom-heavy version of Dillinger Escape Plan, slowed down enough to seem in control. The best part of this calculated torture is that you can almost see the duo peering down over their instruments grinning as they grind their heels into our throats. Sure, occasionally Isor ease up with the combat boots, like on parts of "Techno Sonic Sunshine" but it's really only so we stay alive for more torture. Yeah, I'm convinced they're both huge sadists. It gets better too. Many of the song titles are humorous and witty, and in some way this justifies their length. "We are the People that Watch you Shower," "I Know What Rhymes with Orange," and "My Best Friend Takes a 14 Round Magazine" are among the best examples. The song titles fit so incongruously with the music that when you realize the name of the track that's so brutally kicking your ass, it somehow makes the whole thing seem okay. Post Mortem Peep Show as a bit of everything, and would be perfect for the metal enthusiast who can't seem to get enough non-traditional chaos and a collapsed trachea. Isor really ought to have titled this CD Masochists Wanted, because there's nobody out there would be able to appreciate it more than someone who enjoys pain and submission. This disc is simply a whole new kind of brutal. Standout Tracks
Peter Johnston DeadTide.com |
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Heavy Rocks - Live Review |
 | Tonight was definitly NOT the best climate for an indoor gig, and the weather was seriously sweltering and with stage lights, playing motion and a room full of sweaty people I could feel nothing but sympathy for the bands. As August Fades kicked off the proceedings. Playing modern metal reminiscent of Killswitch Engage only minus the lame melodic interludes. They have the talent as is obvious, but judging by the not-so-tight performance tonight it seems that have a ways to go as yet. But a band to watch out for in the future. ISOR were up next. I had wondered how the two-piece would pull off their music live but I was definitly not disappointed as they poured about as much energy into their set as a band twice their size. With the drummer occaisionally taking to his feet to smash the beats from his drumkit whenever he wasn't laying down some of the most machine-precise rhythms you'll ever hear. Despite only having the one guitar the sound was as meaty as you're likely to get and the playing damn near impeccable. The heat was obviously wearing on them though, as revealed by this exchange between frontman Dave Merricks and the soundman: DM: How long do we have left? SG: About 15 minutes. DM: Oh f*cking hell.... And finally the headliners 5ive. Another 2 piece. Playing instrumental sludgy noise metal punctuated by weird synth noises and fronted by a man who bears an uncanny resemblence to David Blaine. They treated us to a pretty non-stop set of heavyness, not even interrupted by the breaking of a string. During which the drummer jammed out beats over a wall of feedback and noise until the problem was sorted. Heavy stuff and a good night all in all. Phil Heavy Rocks |
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Phoenix - Live Review |
 | ...ISOR, who were the first of the unusual line-ups, playing a metalcore sound, with only a guitarist and drummer, although the sound levels coming from these two musicians was immense. Even more impressive is that they manage their own sound levels on-stage and pass the output through the PA, and it sounded pretty amazing too. The sound was incredibly dynamic considering that there was only two instruments in the mix, but there was enough effects pedals on stage to keep most complete bands happy, which goes some way to explain it. The sound had everything that you would expect from the usual 3-piece or even 4-piece band, with the bass sound coming through crisp and clear, despite not having any bass player. Again it wasn’t really a get up and dance type of set, but everyone stood (or sat) there watching in awe at the technical ability, and giving rapturous applause after each track, of which there was only four. Overall it was a good mix of technical guitar playing, screaming vocals, and showmanship, with the vocalist/guitarist running the length of the Phoenix, thanks to his radio transmitter on his guitar, certainly worth seeing live! Jason Lewis Phoenix Live |
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Heavy Rocks - Review |
.jpg) | This debut outing from Chester-based 2-piece ISOR (pronounced "eyesore") bears on obvious resemblence to its metalcore forebears such as Converge, Botch and Dillenger Escape Plan. However there is a level of musicianship at work here that places "Post Mortem Peep Show" above many bands plying the same trade. Tracks are frequently broken up with mellow interludes on both acoustic guitar and even banjo (!) in between the frenetic riffery of guitarist/vocalist Dave Merricks and everything is held together with the precision piledriver drumming of Nick Hemingway. However the comedy song titles such as "Coping with your ginger secret" may bear a strong resemblence to Botch, the jokey titles seem to conceal the more serious nature of the lyrics. With "We Are The People Who Watch You Shower" containing references to the fact that Britain currently contains more CCTV surveillance than anywhere in Europe. Production on the album was handled by Dave Chang. Who's previous works include UK metalcore veterans Stampin' Ground. Changs production has been incredibly hit and miss over the years, yet this album is very clean cut and the mix enhances the heaviness of the music to the point that you would never guess that this is only a 2 piece band. How they handle it live will be interesting indeed. Phil Heavy Rocks |
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Planet Loud - Review |
 | I'm not quite sure what is going on here but the sounds pouring from my stereo are pretty fucking smart. Chaotic metalcore is the order of the day and as you listen to the blasts of fury and metallic brutality that fill the air prepare to be amazed at the fact they are made by a duo. Each track on their debut album is a brutal slab of heaviness that will fling you into the wall as the likes of Perfecting The Vegan Death Grip slam like the most violent mosh pit you're ever likely to experience. You thought the new wave of American Metal was tough guy stuff all I can bring it on fuckers, you've got nothing on this duo. Graham Finney Planet-Loud.com - UK |
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Project 15 - Review |
 | Isor - Post Mortem Peep ShowEnglish TranslationSometimes it should hurt to listen to music. After a calm more emo-orientated introduction you get a big smack in your face and that feels very good. Isor from GB will catch the listener very quickly and they will smack the sh*t out of the listener. When it sounds like the most usual metalcore genre like Dillinger Escape Plan, they suddenly rise and a very different sound appears. From the ash another side of Isor rises that side comes more from Fugazi.A combination of that is a brilliant idea, partly because it's a good variation in the music and partly because it's fun to listen to. The sound is rock hard, something of the rawest sound I've ever heard from a metalcore band for a very long time. It's not hard to believe that many bands would be green with envy if they heard this CD. Come on, run quickly and buy this CD, now. Magnus Ohlsson Project 15 - (Sweden) Isor - Post Mortem Peep ShowOriginal SwedishDet ska ibland göra ont att lyssna på musik. Att efter ett lugnt lite mer emo-orinterat intro åka på en fet käftsmäll känns väldigt skönt. Isor från Storbritannien tar ett snabbt tag om lyssnaren och spöar fullständigt skiten ur denne. När det meckas på som mest i sedvanlig metalcore anda a la Dillinger Escape Plan, reser sig plötsligt en helt annan ljudbild upp. Ur askan i elden reser sig en annan sida av Isor som mer kan härledas till Fugazi än till tidigare nämnda rens.En kombination av detta är självklart en lysande idé. Delvis därför att det blir en bra variation i musiken och delvis för det blir kul att lyssna på. Ljudet är stenhårt, något av det råaste jag hört från ett metalcore band på länge. Det är inte så svårt att förstå att många befintliga band skulle bli gröna av avund om de hörde denna skiva. Se så, spring och köp nu. Magnus Ohlsson Project 15 - (Sweden) |
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Music Extreme - Review |
| Some almost tribal drumming opens this album before getting into pure brutality. Here it is a band whose music has a lot of power and aggression and it is a band that is also full of ideas, like for example putting interesting climatic pieces before and after mayhemic parts of the most extreme bestiality. There are also parts that sound like new metal but this parts are cleverly combined. There are interesting rhythms that are the heaviest thing here: from riffs designed for the moshpit to ultra fast riffing. One of the main things here is the constant experimentation with breaks and tempo changes (I have to say that the drummer is really technical creating amazing double bass passages through all the recording) and different sounds where there is interesting use of clean guitars in many parts. A good experimental and original album. MusicExtreme.com - (Argentina) |
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The Temple of Metal - Review |
 | Isor - Post Mortem Peep Show (Copro) Album Line Up Dave Merricks - guitar & vocals Nick Hemingway - drums & backing vocals This is a debut by an English band that by the first glance seems to have a good taste. Take a look on the cover and you’ll have a hint. Isor, consisting only by two members, stands in a place that some named metalcore and present their debut with some of the most intense songs I’ve listened lately. The guitars are really deafening and can cause damage to those you are not accustomed to such ear trainings!! Continuously diverse riffs consist an album of mature heaviness and unexpected surprises that definitely urge you to play “Post Mortem” over and over again. Frustrated vocals set the ground to realize the lyrical direction of Isor and the illustrated today’s society common paranoia the guys feel the need to express. Imaginative riffing changes are joined with some melodic moments that work as a tranquilizer. Check also the fine song titles and the pure distorted production that elevates this carnage. Chris Georgiou The Temple of Metal (Greece) Track list: 1. Fake Smiles and Friendly Trials - (3.57) 2. Coping with your Ginger Secret - (3.12) 3. Perfecting the Vegan Death Grip - (3.55) 4. Techno Sonic Sunshine - (3.42) 5. We are the people that Watch you Shower - (3.18) 6. I Know What Rhymes with Orange - (3.57) 7. My Best Friend Takes a 14 Round Magazine - (4.16) 8. 18 Wheel Massage - (2.40) 9. Swimming on Chief Brody’s Day Off - (3.37) 10. You Can’t Make a Clown Out Of Cocoa - (4.42 |
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AsIce - Review |
 | When I read the bio that came along with this CD I wasn't really eager to start listening. That was mainly because they compared ISOR with bands like Botch, Cave In and Converge. Fortunately Isor managed to incorporate some real heavy parts which makes it a lot easier to listen to for me, think the before mentioned bands but mixed up with the heavy parts of Hatebreed/Unearth and some of the most amazing riffs I’ve ever heard. All these styles/influences combined make these 10 tracks for me more accessible than your average mathcore band. The production of "Post Mortem Peep Show" is top notch. (Done by Dave Chang, most of you probably know him of his work with bands like Stampin’ Ground, Orange Goblin, Hangnail etc) What probably amazed me the most about ISOR is that this band only contains two members, Dave Merricks on guitar/vocals and Nick Hemingway on drums / backing vocals, and I must say these two guys are amazing musicians but one thing that keeps me thinking is how the hell are these guys gonna handle this live?! All you kids who are into mathcore / extreme metalcore but also you emo kids who dig heavy stuff should definitely check “Post Mortem Peep Show” out because I know for sure a lot of you will like this… and if you’re not sure than check out these mp3’s : Rating: 4/5 Duncan AsIce.net Hardcore e-zine (The Netherlands) |
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Rocksound - Review |
 | ISOR 'Post Mortem Peep Show' (CASKET) Isor, known to their parents as Dave Merricks and Nick Hemingway, just might be a band you hear a lot more from in years to come. This, their debut long player shows the potential and ideas for them to mature into something really ugly, in the best way possible of course. Their hard work made that little bit more plausible by the fact that it's a two-man show, complete with all the coarse edges. 'Coping With Your Ginger Secret' and 'Swimming On Chief Brody's Day Off' aren't just witty titles, they've got the power to match. In a similar vein to noise luminaries Botch and Drowningman, here's proof that anything America can do, Chester can do just as well. Although this is only a peep show, an encore could well result in a standing ovation. 7/10 Mark James Rocksound (UK) |
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Dusted - Live Review |
| ISOR, The Vic Inn, Derby, 26th April '04 Backstage at Derby’s Vic Inn stands Dave vocalist and guitarist of the up-and-coming British metalcore duo ISOR. He’s just come off stage and there is steam visibly rising from his head. It’s hard to think of a more fitting metaphor for what ISOR are about then what is presented in this image right here. The venue was relatively empty when the pair took to the stage, but this didn’t stop them from putting the effort in; right from the word go their ferocious brand of stop-and-go metal was dropped on the audience like slabs of solid sound. It wasn’t long before Dave leapt from the stage and cavorted round the whole room with his guitar in tow, much to the crowd’s bemusement and delight. The set went on, the two guys on stage looking like they were genuinely enjoying the experience, and the people in the audience seemingly lapping up everything the band could throw at them. Talking to Dave afterwards I had to begin with the most obvious question; why is there only two of them? “Nick and I played together, just the two of us, for quite a while, and in that sort of situation you build up a understanding of each other, so when we eventually got a bassist in it just sounded wrong.” ISOR have been signed to Copro records, former home to English metal heavyweights Earthtone9, which gives them a good footing on the steep climb towards notoriety. However, the band hasn’t quite given the guys the chance to take it full time yet, as Dave says himself; “I wish it was a full time job. I love touring, when I’m at home I know where everything is and what to expect, but when we come to different places round the country it’s always exciting, I have no idea where anything is, or what’s around the next corner,” he paused before continuing with a grin “Of course, it could be someone waiting to stab me.” The band are with out doubt on the ascent; they have been included on a recent cover CD for Metal Hammer and have also been included on the playlist for Australia’s equivalent to Radio 1. Added to this the fact that they’re video should be hitting music channel Scuzz any time now and you can see they are definitely a band to look out for if you like your music on the heavy side. Mark James Dusted |
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The Metal Observer - Review |
 | Another extreme noise band, which made its way through the Underground and which crowns the hard work of the past years with the release of the “Official” debut. It’s official because this splendid band finally found a capable record label with Copro Records, which should lead to a greater fame due to a better distribution. And believe me, their fame will grow as ISOR deliver an insane intensity on “Post Mortem Peep Show”. Hundreds of crazy rhythm changes, mad outbursts of fury on both sides, musically and vocally and they have such great songwriting abilities that the common Metalhead will probably have its problems with ISOR. There is no average concept but they weave between diversified noise attacks. Whether angry Hardcore, bone-crushing Death Metal or progressive Thrash Metal, ISOR infuse all these ingredients into their own visions of a sound and they create a pretty hard and completely unique thing. Between that are again and again short but weird acoustic passages, which instantly won’t fit in but after some spins, they find their places in the overall sound and they serve for even more diversity and variety in their sound. The elite with SIKTH, BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME, JOHNNY TRUANT, THE END or MEDULLA NOCTE has a new member but with a big difference. Because in contrary to mentioned bands, ISOR have not a several members line-up but consist only of two members. Dave Merricks (guitars and vocals) and Nick Hemingway (drums and backing vocals) make out the whole thing. But the insane ideas of “Post Mortem Peep Show” come out from these two guys and they had only some help in the studio. But also there, they did a good job and enlisted Dave Chang (MIOCENE, STAMPIN’ GROUND, LANDMINE SPRING and many more), who is a secret tip due to his great work and he ennobled a lot gems in the Philia Studios. Already the first notes prove, that they have chosen the right one as it initially crushes and it’s hard to imagine a more pressuring and crushing sound. Furthermore, they have some strange lyrics and song titles, so it’s also not predictable in this area. “Post Mortem Peep Show” is not an album with single check out tips, it must be listened as a whole. Due to the multitude technical highlights, you have the duty to give it some time and to regard it as an overall work of art. This is how an ultra brutal bastard of the most extreme styles has to sound to and when a band thrashes through all these styles with such a self confidence, it deserves much praise. ISOR fight against all boring music and that’s really really great. 9/10 Alex E The Metal Observer (Germany) / (North America) |
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Raw Nerve - Review |
 | ISOR "Post mortem peep show" Casket music 10 Tracks 37 Mins 1. Takes smiles & friendship trials 2. Coping with your ginger secret 3. Perfecting the vegan death grip 4. Techno sonic sunshine 5. We are the people that watch you shower 6. I know what rhymes with orange 7. My best friend takes a 14 round magazine 8. 18 wheel massage 9. Swimming on chief Brody's day off 10. You can't make a clown out of cocoa This album carries huge hopes after an impressive debut EP, and with a tense clean guitar and tom filled drum pattern intro building the mood immediately, with a crystal production, things continue looking good for Isor. After one minute the chaos clatters its way in, and "Takes smiles & friendship trials" starts its face peeling mission. Huge riffs, timings out of the window, vicious and murderous, like Dillinger fighting with God Forbid, referee'd by no-one and judged by the underground legends Canvas. The chugs are purely head melting, the patterns are all over the place and the screams finish off your tattered eardrums. Canvas are mentioned, mainly as a reference for the sound, and it is not surprising to read that Dave Chang is at the desk for this one, with his trademark sharp, but full guitar sound, crisp drum track and multi-layered vocal takes. The man is a legend and Isor have given him something pretty special to work with here. The UK's answer to the genre defining Botch could quite possibly be here, mixing everything from out and out hardcore to chaotic noise-core, to screamo styles in its purest form, to murderous metal thrashings. "Coping with your ginger secret" is a bitterly punishing song, "Perfecting the vegan death grip" has some amazing riffs and lovely, darker, quiet parts, "18 wheel massage" does everything I want it to (similar to Thirty called Arson for those who know), great chug / discordant high guitar chords, rocks out and caves you in. Fans of noisy, harsh, dissonant metalcore need this. Isor mix it up so well, and need your attention. Paul Raw Nerve |
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Ultimate Metal - Review |
 | Isor - Post Mortem Peep Show Casket Music - 2004 By Philip Whitehouse By Christ, I wouldn't like to live next door to this pair - and since guitarist/vocalist Dave Merricks hails from Walsall, a city approximately three miles away from where my Pringle-munching ass is currently planted, that's a more likely occurance than you might think. The reason I fear proximity to Isor is that Merricks and his drummer/backing vocalist Nick Hemingway have produced the most eye-poppingly spectacular metalcore album I've heard in a long, long time - shot through with black humour which weaves through the lyrics, structured with a militaristic discipline which stands out against the rest of the 'band-falling-down-a-flight-of-stairs' noisecore brigade, and possessed of some awesome riffs. No kidding - the riffs on this album are immense. And that's not just due to Dave Chang's fantastic production, which gives the lone guitar a hell of a kick - the riffs sound like they weigh a tonne each - but mainly due to the fact that Dave Merricks knows exactly how to wring a pummelling, technical, catchy, brutal riff out of the neck of his axe, and does so with terrifying regularity and consistency, all the time screaming like his nads are on fire. Let's not forget Hemingway's contribution though - his chaotically veering drum patterns punctuate the heaviest riffs, keep the tempo mildly during the infrequent, false-sense-of-security-summoning acoustic segments, and flail insanely during the hell-for-leather passages. Comparisons are pretty hard to nail down, but Botch, Converge, Shai Hulud and Bloodlet do spring to mind when listening to this - but the real marvel is how unique Post Mortem Peep Show sounds. Their admirable restraint means that they remain more accessible than The Dillinger Escape Plan while still retaining an impressive level of technical and structural complexity. And my God, those riffs! Seriously, the last minute of 'Perfecting The Vegan Death Grip' contains some of the most furious, chunky, pummelling riffage I've heard in ages! Go buy, right now. 9.5/10 Philip Whitehouse Ultimate Metal - (UK) |
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Audiocratic - Review |
 | Audiocratic 'Band of the Month' March '04Isor – ‘Post Mortem Peep Show’ This release, I have to say interested me greatly after hearing about this two piece ‘metalcore’ band, which consists of Dave Merricks on guitar & vocals while his other band member Nick Hemingway handles the sticks and sings backing vocals, a strange equation that in no doubt spells chaos, and chaos is the word exactly. From the moment the delicate melodic intro sets in, you know what’s coming and boy, do they deliver it. A harsh brand of extreme metalcore that really makes no logical sense coming from this two-man massacre army, who certainly do not take any prisoners. You will really not believe the pummelling brutality coming from what sounds like atleast a 5-piece band, but strangely isn’t. This band would compare to the likes of Botch, Converge and the finest of what some would call chaos-core, this band really do the genre justice through their sheer execution and great sense of brutal dynamics. Isor play just enough melodic parts to lure you into a full sense of security before unleashing a devastating awesome breakdown to really leave you on your arse, brutal to the core. The band have really proved themselves as a force to be reckoned with on this release, and have set a great benchmark for UK metalcore, releases like this make me proud to be a British metalcore fan, I urge you to support this band, totally awesome sound and easily the best release I have heard this year as yet. RG Audiocratic |
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Bleeding for Metal - Review |
 | Well I cannot say that I am the biggest fun of extreme music. However, there are some things that I enjoy on extreme music, such as aggression and the very violent riffs. ISOR from the United Kingdom come with their debut album “Post Mortem Peep Show” to change my view on extreme music. Extreme music as it is on the hardcore side. Here we have then a hardcore release which is quite strange since the band is quite complex on its songs, to the point that makes me want to compare them to progressive bands. Both way, ISOR do have all the capabilities and the appetite to do something good with their carrier and this is showed from the debut album. Sometimes combining hardcore with a lot of heavy metal elements and a fewer times with death metal, the result is overwhelming. The band also knows how to balance power with atmosphere and on the songs we have many times, small atmospheric acoustic breaks that add to the variety and are very relieving for the ear (some of these acoustic breaks reminds me of ANATHEMA ‘s atmospheric moments). Since I am not a hardcore fun, I cannot distinguish any influences for ISOR; however they are quite different from bands like SICK OF IT ALL etc. More or less they move closer to the roads of MINISTRY or FEAR FACTORY (on their hardcore moments). Some of the songs I enjoyed listening to were ‘Perfecting the Vegan Death Grip’ with very good rhythms, ‘Techno Sonic Sunshine’ and ‘We Are the People That Watch You Shower’ with the small touches of death metal and ‘My Best Friend Takes a 14 Round Magazine’ and ‘Swimming on Chief Brody’s Day Off’ which are more straightforward than the others. Now to talk about the lyrics…they seem to be allegoric, but I guess they can do better. Either way, the album is quite good, solid, and powerful with all the metal influences that you can listen from a hardcore band. I guess the future belongs to ISOR that I am sure they can do much better things if they continue the hard work. I seldom like to listen to hardcore bands, but ISOR were one exception. I guess the funs of the genre should definitely check them out, since there are a lot of things on this one that will satisfy them, the rest can listen to it as an introductory album to the hardcore sounds, especially the death metal funs. Good work Gargantouas Bleeding for Metal |
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Quintessence - Review |
 | Isor (U.K.)- "Post Mortem Peep Show" (2004 Copro Records/Casket Music) A mosh-happy, pissed-off MetalCore band from England that is only a 2-piece believe it or not. They've released a few EP's and this full-length CD and have garnered alot of positive press. The music is intense and falls into the territories of Converge, Turmoil, Living Sacrifice, Voivod, and again, Dillinger Escape Plan. Just a trench of sonic dismemberment on this 10-track spin with good songwriting and pure genius ideas that retains a real freshness and innovation that alot of bands don't possess. Isor would fit in perfectly over here in the States since we have alot of bands within this style genre or nature. They may be an Isor but they definately make your ears sore. Quintessence Metal Webzine - (USA) |
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Collateral Damage - Review |
 | OK, so Casket Music, for me, are a very hit and miss label, sometimes unearthing something spectacular and sometimes just dredging the bottom for anything that can be stuck on a CD and shoved out. So, its with a little prejudice that I go into this review of Isor, and also this is the first review I have had to do with my laptop and am suffering from shitty speaker syndrome... Right, this little 10 track opus begins with acoustic guitar and tribal styled drumming, like Neurosis to an extent, but soon enough it veers very much towards the metallic hardcore/ death core style with blasting drum collisions, dischordant spastic riffs and screaming vocals. Now, the chaotic cataclysm here isn't quite as utterly insane as the likes of Dillinger Escape Plan or the metallic noisecore of Today is the Day, but this definitely has leanings towards both bands, as well as the likes of Bloodlet and many of the dischordant hardcore bands out there, Shai Hulud for instance. But this also has leanings to somewhat more mellower roots, almost emo styled clean tone singing and melodic riffing permeates the bubbling insanity that holds for most of the album and reminds me of such bands as Refused and even hinting towards Neurosis at times. These moments tend to lend the album an air of originality, a kind of break in the crushing hardcore assault, but this isn't something major as this has been done many a time before and really serves to lift it above the norm without making it utterly unique. The musicianship on this is excellent though, a very good display of totally controlled chaos and some really catchy riffs, as well as their excellent use if acoustics and total discord breakdowns. Overall, this is a pretty damn fine release and one that threw me totally with its ferocity, and this is definitely not to be missed by any fans of extreme hardcore or metalcore, or even fans of the Today is the Day/ Bloodlet/ Neurosis style of noise. Recommended! Collateral Damage - (UK) |
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Sensorium.it - Review |
 | English VersionISOR "Post Mortem Peep Show" (Casket/Audioglobe) The first time I put on my stereo Hi-Fi this Isor's "Post Mortem Peep Show", an english duo composed by Dave Merricks and Nick Hemingway, immediately in my mind took place this dialogue between two imaginary friends that, hypothetically, are approccing to "undergo" this album. The dialogue could go something like that: one of the two friend says 'With titles like that, of the album itself and tracks, just like "My Best Friend Takes a 14 Round Magazine", this band can only be a punk one!'. So the other one reply to him: 'But at the beginning of the record, with "Fakes Smiles & Friendship Trials", they are playing in a Led Zeppelin's attitude: this band has a so "cool" sound with that acoustic guitar with iron strings, just like Jimmy Page...'. And then: 'But here took place some kind of 'speed-up' in an industrial-style way', 'No, they are grind, and the music they play remind me a little bit Carcass', 'In the rithmyc section they seem the Disgorge's "She Lay Gutted" album'. So the other one light up the discussion saying 'In this split they slow down, it could be melodic pop as in every U2's record', 'Here they are just like Napalm Death...And here Nirvana: pure "grunge style"...', 'It sounds more funky than the Red Hot Chili Peppers could ever play in their whole life!', 'Yeah, right, but in this case it's so black metal, they remind me the Fenriz's Isengard experience...I don't want to say shit, but in "We Are The People That Watch You Shower" this particular track could sounds like their demo-tape "Spectres Over Gorgoroth"...', 'Why there are Soundgarden with splits of total musical distruction?', 'I don't know: now Kurt Cobain is playing, but then is death metal style, also with a grind attitude, industrial-rythm based...'. If you didn't understand really anything about what is written above, don't worry, you didn't go crazy: but, on the other hand, there was no better way to talk about this particular album, always on the edge of an "organised insanity" ready to explode from the speakers of your Hi-Fi. Maybe for this particular reason why it comes in my mind the Today Is The Day's "Sadness Will Prevail" album, but without the same madness, because that double-cd package was like a 'tar-blob', difficult to digest, to assimilate...Here in "Post Mortem Peep Show" everything is organised, also the structure of the tracks themself, because they 'live' of speed-ups and slow-downs, but always in a reasonable way. Really this happens: in a song we could hear country-guitars and then the rythm of a brutal band, a voice in a crazy scream that becomes a doomish mood along the way, while your ears and your brain couldn't explain what is happening in this 'sound enigma'. However, we say it another time, Isor's "Post Mortem Peep Show" is an intelligible, comprehensible record: way out from schemes, allright, and also difficult to understand, but not cryptic...Well, not too much... Do a "track by track" analysis it could be something really dumb: the album needs to be assimilated in an integral way, also if the tracks with a strange name in a punk attitude are really fun to read. Ingenious the title and ingenious the way that the band mixed up the music. Surely one of the greatest album of this year 2004, a year so greed of musical surprises (look: surprises, not good records...), where the music scene seems to offer only a reprise of what was done in the past, and we talk about the music from the early '90 of the past century. Isor mixed up styles that already existed, but in a really personal way: the result is great. Buy! Buy! Buy this record! Thank you again Isor, you are Genius! [Davide Cappelletti] Sensorium.it (Italy) Original Italian VersionISOR "Post Mortem Peep Show" (Casket/Audioglobe) Una volta posizionato nello stereo questo "Post Mortem Peep Show" degli Isor, un duo inglese composto da Dave Merricks e Nick Hemingway, subito nella mia mente si è svolto questo dialogo tra due immaginari amici che, ipoteticamente, si apprestano a 'subire' questo album. Il dialogo andrebbe più o meno così: uno dei due dice 'Con questi titoli, dell'album e di brani come ad esempio "My Best Friend Takes A 14 Round Magazine", non possono essere altro che punk!', e l'altro rispode dal canto suo 'Ma l'inizio del disco con "Fakes Smiles & Friendship Trials" rimanda ai Led Zeppelin, hanno un suono pulito e cool con quella chitarra ritmica a corde metalliche, sembra Page...'. Ed ancora: 'Però poi ci sono accelerazioni in stile industrial'. 'No, sono grind, e nella musica ricordano vagamente i Carcass'. 'Nella sezione ritmica sembrano i Disgorge di "She Lay Gutted"'. Ed allora l'altro amico rincara la dose dicendo 'Però in questo spaccato rallentano, c'è del pop melodico, tipo U2'. 'Qui sembrano i Napalm Death... E qui i Nirvana: puro grunge style...'. 'Ci sono degli inserti funky che neanche i Red Hot Chili Peppers!'. 'Sì, però qui suonano molto black metal, sembrano gli Isengard di Fenriz... Non vorrei fare il fenomeno ma in "We Are The People That Watch You Shower" ricordano il loro demo "Spectres Over Gorgoroth"'. 'Perchè ci sono i Soundgarden con spaccati di distruzione sonora all'interno?'. 'Non lo so: ora c'è Cobain a dettare il ritmo, poi sfocia nel death, con una matrice grind cadenzata dall'industrial...'. Se non avete capito niente di quanto scritto sopra, non preoccupatevi, non siete impazziti: però non c'era neppure modo migliore per 'spiegare' questo disco, sempre sul bilico di una 'follia organizzata' pronta ad esplodere dai diffusori del vostro stereo. Forse per questo vengono in mente i Today Is The Day di "Sadness Will Prevail", senza però condividerne la stessa follia. Perchè lì c'era un doppio album completamente catramoso, un 'blob' difficilmente digeribile, mentre qui è tutto organizzato, anche nella struttura stessa dei brani, che 'vivono' di accelerazioni e rallentamenti, ma quasi sempre 'ragionati'. Davvero accade questo: in un pezzo si passa da chitarre country alla sezione ritmica di un gruppo brutal, dalla voce in un scream impazzito per poi sfociare in uno spaccato doomish, mentre il tuo cervello e le tue orecchie non riescono a venire a capo di questo enigma sonoro. Eppure, torniamo a ribadirlo, "Post Mortem Peep Show" è un disco intellegibile: lontano dagli schemi, sì, complesso anche, ma non criptico... O meglio, fino ad un certo punto. Fare un'analisi 'track-by-track' sarebbe da quasi da stupidi: il disco va assorbito in maniera integrale, anche se i brani coi titoli strani 'da punk' sono uno spasso. Geniali, sia nel titolo che nell'assemblare la musica, questi due inglesi. Sicuramente uno dei dischi di punta di questa stagione, così avida di sorprese (sorprese, eh, non di buoni album..), dove l'andazzo generale sembra una ripresa in grande stile di quello che era già stato fatto in passato. Gli Isor mescolano stili già esistenti, ma in modo personale: il risultato è fenomenale, consigliato vivamente l'acquisto! Grazie ancora, geniali Isor! [Davide Cappelletti] Sensorium.it (Italy) |
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Concrete Web - Review |
 | ISOR: "Post Mortem Peep Show" (Casket - Copro) Goody, the Copro label is really diversifying of late. Of course, their Casket sub-label is meant for diversification in the first place, but 2004 already saw some very different bands on there! British duo Isor is yet another interesting addition to the roster. Comprised of guitarist/ vocalist Dave Merricks and drummer/ backing vocalist Nick Hemingway, the band was originally formed in 1999 as a 3-piece, and already sold out 3 EPs through their website. Their last EP (the 6-track "Nought To Sixty In Twenty Seven Feet") got them a 'Featured CD' slot on MP3.com with one of the track on the CD reaching N°1 in the European MP3.com Metalcore chart. At the same time the media and music industry got interested, with this 10-track album as a result. Now, as to what's on offer here? Well, Metalcore is the word being that already fell, you would have to see that in a Progressive way, because the guys like the weirdest twists, going from all-out agressivity (with blasting drums & guitar) to sedate (with quite some drastic changes to acoustic guitar here and there)! Plenty of mood swings from ultra-extremely hard to almost-country/ folk! Comparisons to Botch, Johnny Truant and Drowning Man, with cited moments reminiscent of the likes of Cave In, Converge, Nora, Deadguy, and even Slipknot, have been noted (and approved on by yours truly). A band to be on the look-out for, and surely a worthy addition to any Extreme Metal or Hardcore festival! 95/100 [Tony] Concrete Web (Belgium) |
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Brutalism - Review |
 | Isor - Post Mortem Peep Show Two guyz can make this noise? The music of Isor on their new album is very diverse in songwriting but have in common that it rocks. Combing different styles of metal, hardcore, punk etc the songs are different each time. Also the songs themselves have a lot of variety. Aggressive vocals, tempo songs and intense guitarriffing make an unit that is solid and tickling. And in that context the songtitles are not strange anymore. Nice album from Isor. Isor http://www.isor.net Casket Music info@coprorecords.co.uk http://www.coprorecords.co.uk www.Brutalism.com |
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Skratch The Surface - Review |
 | Casket Records - CSK0024 Unbelievably the incredibly tight sonic turbulence of this 10 track debut LP is served up by a duo! Metal core two-some Dave Merricks and Nick Hemingway comprise the Chester based ISOR and do a fine job of serving up a manic mix of brutal beat downs, riffs dished out with mechanical precision and some fine angered throat work in the vein of Drowningman or Dillinger Escape Plan. The wickedly titled ‘Post Mortem Peep Show’ is a bleak and dark edged ride through some magnificently heavy tunes and moments. The twisted barrage of ‘My Best Friend Takes A 14 Round Magazine’ ranks as a highlight some excellent chugging guitar work building into a frenetic outro. Whether or not they expand into a full band or stay as a duo the music on offer here suggest that ISOR will become a live force to be reckoned with in 2004 and the likes of the fast paced ’18 Wheel Massage’ will surely slay in a face to face setting. A brutal yet intelligent concoction of sounds ‘…Peep Show’ is an extremely strong release and could be one of the biggest sounds of the metal core scene this year. .:Noz: Skratch The Surface |
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Metal Rage - Review |
 | British duo ISOR formed as a three piece in 1999. They already recorded 3 EPs, with the last one, Naughty to Sixty in Twenty Seven Feet getting interest online and from the music business. In 2003 the band had a change in lineup, resulting in the duo of Dave Merricks (vocals, guitar) and Nick Hemingway (Drums). Personally I would describe the music on Post Mortem Peep Show as a crossbreed of Dillinger Escape Plan, a little Mastodon and some nods to Pantera and other bands. Something that makes this band stand out is the fact that they succesfully achieve to write chaotic songs that go all over the place, throw in some darn fine riffs, and pieces of melody as well. A good typical ISOR track is 'Perfecting The Vegan Death Grip', which starts of with a nice acoustic intro that wouldnt do bad on a new hit ballad. Fortunatly it errupts into frantic riffs and vocals, quickly changing into an atmospheric part. In the end we find a fast riff that wouldnt be out of place on an Arch Enemy cd, for example. And this is just one song. I am not going to analyse every track, because the guys really have a hand in suprising the listener with full stops, crushing riffs and atmospheric parts. Playing this style of music has it up and downsides. You can practically play anything you want musically, but the timechanges and sometimes chaotic structures arent just for anyone. And I have to admit that ISOR manages to write these "weird" songs that manage to keep your attention all the way trough. Maybe its the fact that the guys spice things up with a little acoustic guitar here and there, slower passages, and some melody as well. It definitly keeps the cd entertaining troughout. If it was a full-force, no holds barreled attack from start to end, it would clearly just get boring after a few tracks. In the end, ISOR manages to put out an impressive full-lenght cd which clearly shows that this british duo has the same qualities as other top metal- and mathcore bands out there. They might get shoved into the same corner as the (math/metalcore) bands mentioned above, but im sure that ISOR's style of music will evolve into something that is truly their own. 84/100 [Carn] http://www.metalrage.com (Netherlands) |
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The Visitor - Review |
| Metal mayhem with Isor, Rhyl’s finest exponents of the thrash arts HARDCORE HOLOCAUST Dave Jones finds the debut album from Rhyl-based metalcore act ISOR was well worth the wait. ISOR – POST MORTEM PEEP SHOW (Casket Records) When I discovered earlier this year that Isor’s debut album was on the horizon I was filled with eager anticipation. Previous mini-releases from the metalcore merchants has been very impressive indeed, but nothing had prepared me for Post Mortem Peep Show. The 10-track album, engineered and produced by the celebrated Dave Chang, is an absolute belter. Hardcore, nu metal, call it what you will, has never been my number one favourite genre. But Isor bring to the table an innovative freshness which breathes new life into this style of music. The opening song, Fake Smiles and Friendship Trials, begins with a Metallica-style smooth acoustic sound before exploding into a frenzy of hardcore heaven. My favourite is Techno Sonic Sunshine, worth eight out of ten just for the song title alone. Introing with a metallic rant, the tune then changes into a funky guitar chime reminiscent of something from Saturday Night Fever before roaring back to its earlier distortion – great stuff. In a similar vain, We Are The People That Watch You Shower (yet another great title) includes a segment of classical guitar in the centre which evokes shades of John Williams and Sky. Another brilliant tune is 18 Wheel Massage, which fuses frantic metal with a sort of Cure indie wail. Rounding the album off is You Can’t Make a Clown out of Cocoa, an incredible unbeat number with a delightful dirty guitar riff straight from the conventional hard rock book. With awe-inspiring vocals, music that is powerful beyond belief and fantastic fusion covering many styles, Isor have delivered something special. Not surprisingly, Post Mortem Peep Show is winning rave reviews all over the globe with glowing recognition from music press in Australia, America and all over Europe. Perhaps the best comment of all comes from Kristian Barford of Teletext, who says: “Isor have landed as the saviours of the British metalcore scene…A landmark debut release.” I could not have put it better myself. Dave Jones The Visitor |
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Walls of Fire - Review |
 | Isor - Post Mortem Peep Show (Copro Records) I’ve rated a few albums fairly highly in the first few months of 2004. The new Exodus was ok; the new Iced Earth is a real grower, as is the new My Dying Bride. And Decapitated! -Wow, what a death metal rush that one is. However, as good as these releases are, a duo out of Chester, England by the name of ISOR have, in my eyes at least, created the most exciting extreme metal album of this year. Wrap your head around the ‘Post Mortem Peep Show’!! Originally formed as a three piece in 1999, Isor saw no need for a bass player in their line up and are now a duo consisting of Dave Merricks (Grr & Vrr) and Nick Hemingway (Drr & Vrr). You read that right punters, two guys and no bass player in sight. Now, I’m not sure how it is possible, but producer Dave Chang has somehow enabled Isor to deliver what must be the heaviest fucking album ever laid down by a two-person band. Seriously folks, the discordant racket that has been captured here is astonishing. How can just two guys be capable of such a thing? Obviously, the technology available to studio producers nowadays is incredibly advanced, so maybe the sound Isor have delivered isn’t that surprising, but fucking hell, I’d love to see how they do it in the live situation. As a description, Isor play what could be loosely termed as aggressive metalcore. But such a tag is doing this band a major injustice. Isor take this sound and style so much further. Encompassing the frenetic riff work of mathcore legends ‘Botch’ and ‘Drowningman’ and fusing it with spastic time-changes ala ‘The DEP’ this album is a much more interesting and terrifying ride than your generic metalcore release. And before you say ‘yeah well, I’ve heard all of that before also’, the best thing about Isor is the inventiveness, imagination and variety that they’ve been able to incorporate in their song writing. Oh yes, this album is brimming with new ideas and dynamic sound play, providing a much-welcomed freshness to what is becoming a rather stale genre. Unlike many of their contemporaries, ‘PMPS’ has legs and staying power. There is a longevity associated with this album that will take some matching. That is all down to the variety attained in the bands song writing. Metalcore works inside a pretty tight box ideas wise, yet Isor have been able stretch the boundaries of the style by writing interesting riffs that encompass many other influences. The modern Botch/Drowningman/DEP influences are there for sure, but for me this is more old school in sound - I swear that upon my first listen to ‘PMPS’ I heard ‘Fudge Tunnel’ (circa 1991’s E-Minor album) – the sound, the style, the structured heavy groove had Alex Newport’s stamp all over it. Nice work boys!! Furthermore, the varied tempo’s employed between sharp angular picking, heavy sludge riffage, folky jazz blues acoustics to spazz off-kilter time changes makes the listener all the more involved. Throw is the fierce vocal performance of Dave Merricks and this whole disc gets even better. There is real harsh evil undertone about Isor (even despite the tasteful melody employed here) – they are a nasty sounding band. Their ambiguous lyrics and song titles like ‘Techno Sonic Sunshine (a simply amazing track), We are the People Who Watch You Shower and You Can’t Make a Clown out of Cocoa’ hint at an even more sinister side to this band. Then they throw in gentle little summer-breeze acoustic passages mid-song just to convince you that, yes, they really are just a couple of puppy dogs. Yeah, right!! The Copro/Casket label has an utter monster of a band here folks - Isor are fucking incredible and this album will tear your head off. Absolutely bottom line essential!! 4.5/5 [Krozza] Walls of Fire - (Germany) Full-Strength - (Australia) |
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I Ate Your Microphone - Review |
 | A vicious debut full length from this English metalcore duo leaves its mark on the scene. Forming in 1999 in Chester, England as a three-piece act, ISOR have since eliminated their third member to become a duo as they endeavour to create some of the most vicious metalcore conceivable. Dave Merricks and Nick Hemingway perform deeply aggressive music in the vein of Botch, Drowningman and The Dillinger Escape Plan; and with two of those now defunct and the third seemingly perpetually delaying the release of any new material, quite a market has opened up for the likes of ISOR. Highly competent and technical at all times, their fusion of breakneck riffs amidst shuddering bass spikes and sandpaper-throated cries threatens the boundaries of conventional song-writing in an invigorating display of violence; occasionally casting away the haste in favour of more laid back electro-acoustic moments which allow for a breathing space amongst the tempestuous carnage. Intensity is something of a constant within "Post Mortem Peep Show", a work which amalgamates the ideas and experience brewed throughout the three self-released EPs earlier in the bands career, while exploring new heights of blistering metal in what is probably their most essential output thus far. With diverse tempo changes ranging from gradually festering mayhem in it's calmest moments to relentless battering in the more extreme sections, "Post Mortem Peep Show" lives up to it's macabre billing with a whole host of noteworthy instances. While variety in this area can often be a little difficult to attain, that is refreshingly not the case with ISOR's album: the ten tracks here all showcase different sounds and ideas, offering much repeat value in the process for the listener who feels like taking them on. The song titles on this album offer much of a hint as to the feel of the music, shown through the likes of '18 Wheel Massage' and 'I Know What Rhymes With Orange'. The impossibility of the latter phrase of course reflecting back to one of the most famously brilliant albums ever to hit this genre, "Calculating Infinity" by The Dillinger Escape Plan. While ISOR's sound is by no means a clone of what has come before them, that benchmark is of course a height to which any band remotely close in style will be expected to try and achieve if they are to become similarly lauded. ISOR's "Post Mortem Peep Show" should take them well on the way towards that goal, as it is undoubtedly one of the most exciting metalcore debuts in recent times. 4/5 [Chris] I Ate Your Microphone - (USA) www.IAYM.com |
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Anemic Magazine - Review |
 | Artist: Isor Album: Post Mortem Peep Show Release Date: February 23rd, 2004 Label: Casket Music So it seems as though duos are the latest push from record companies. The White Stripes, The Black Keys, The Kills, The Mess Hall. Oh did you pick up the other aspect with this list of bands? The whole "the" concept! I'm not bothered, all these bands are in fact good, and hold a lot more substance in comparison with some of the other shit that gets slammed in our face these days. Isor aren't like the bunch mentioned above. For starters, they are not a blues band, far from it in fact. A duo belting out rhythms that your average four piece metal band would successfully do, this thrashing young duo out of Chester, England may have opened up a new door for the current metal scene. "Post Mortem Peep Show", the bands debut full-length is a journey of razor sharp metalcore, which only the patients at the local big house would be familiar with. How can a two-piece outfit belt out sounds that Isor manage to do? That question is almost unanswerable. The opening track 'Fakes Smiles & Friendship Trials' is a fair insight, as its subtle start is shoved aside for the brutal hard/screamocore aesthetics that will send one half of the psycho ward in liberation, the other half in complete terror. Angular guitars, brooding drumbeats and spruiked up melody are all spat out during the twists and turns of 'Coping With Your Ginger Secret', which poses as the albums shining point, while the slashing guitars and ear tearing vocals in 'Perfecting the Vegan Death Grip' are nothing short of vitriolic. Isor continue their metal multiplicity, with the tortuous howls in the ambiguously titled 'We are the People that Watch You Shower', as thrash and black metal aspects creep into the Isor sound catalogue. That's not to mention the weaving scuzzy guitars throughout 'My Best Friend Takes a 14 Round Magazine', which are nothing but attention grabbing and are bound to raise an eyebrow. The repugnance throughout this music will offend the best part of listeners, as the gut-wrenching vocals are likely to make your ears bleed, while the song titles are about as obscure as anything the Liars are likely to produce (hmm maybe not). "Post Mortem Peep Show" is an effort that delivers a fresh sound, which many other bands will try to pilfer in good time, I'm sure. For now though, the people of the metal community can kick back with their beer and enjoy their brand new toy, as the chaotic clamours that Isor so wilfully roll off their tongue and spit out are arguably the best new metal sounds to come out this year. 4/5 [Simon Kirk] Anemic Magazine - (Australia) www.anemicmagazine.com |
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Andy G - Review |
| ISOR: Post Mortem Peep Show CD They come in great numbers. [Err, two actually... Ed-isor] They bring guitars - and beat you with them. They bring drums - and crush your spineless body with them. The bring electric bass to disembowel your twitching corpse. [No bass, that’s rather the point…but we think it is very cool that you didn’t notice… Ed-isor] They shout, they rage, they break you in two with their power. The when they are fully satiated, they stand back to admire their work - before regrouping - and starting all over again. The slaughter never ends - wave after wave of punishing metal is hurled at you unstoppably and there is nothing you can do - the end is nigh - you have but a few breaths before the calm of death as you die to the sound of others suffering the same fate. Power incarnate, metal supreme - complete domination. [Andy G] www.rock-blues-guitar-cds.com - (UK) |
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Teletext - Review |
 | ISOR - Post Mortem Peep Show (Casket) album Taking a lump hammer to the foundations of generic metal, ISOR have landed as the saviours of the Brit metalcore scene. Quite which way they're likely to turn next is lost on the listener, as indeed it appears to be on the band themselves. But with every musical twist and turn comes a barrage of delicious noise, fuelled by an appreciation of Dillinger Escape Plan and tinnitus in equal measure. A landmark debut release. 4 / 5 Channel 4 - Page 357 [Kristian Barford] - Teletext - (UK) |
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