German doomy Metal band Isolation, have been around since 2004, but have only just got the point of releasing a full length album. In the past, two demo’s were released in 2006, an EP in 2007 and on a compilation disc in 2008. Then in September 2008 they were on a split album with Austere (No I haven’t heard of them either).[Excellent now defunct Australian band Pete} So I got my mitts on their album ‘Closing a Circle’ to see if the band can cut the mustard.
A beautifully epic riff starts off the album with the intro track ‘Something and Nothing’. Then onto ‘Closing a Circle’. The first thing that came into my head was a satisfying ‘OOOOH’, nothing like what I was expecting, but definitely nothing short of cool. The doomy vocals and steady drum work throughout gives a serious feel to it but the track on a whole is a wave of calm, a perfect Sunday afternoon hangover listen. ‘Never Enough’ with unexpected almost punky vocals sounding a little out of tune (supposed to be like that? I’ve no idea) was a little droney, moving on then... ‘This Moment’ shows off a little black metal style riffs but the vocals again, too droney. ‘Nomad’ a cracking piece, mainly due to having no vocals in it. Superb bass and guitar riffs all through, and the snare drum breaking the beats up perfectly.
Moving on to ‘Fan the Flames’ just because it sounds different to the rest, the screamy vocals and the rocky drum pattern (at first anyway). The little funky riff in-between gives it a little kick, but it’s still not fantastic. ‘There Will Be No Answer’ has a nice little bass line to it, but what sounds to be like a cowbell is a little out of time, and with it just being over 1.30 mins long is obviously just a filler track.
Moving on to the last track due to boredom and it all sounding pretty much the same ‘May You Fare Well’ is another instrumental piece, which fails to impress me as it sounds like load of musicians just faffing about playing anything.
Sorry guys, not impressed with this album at all, but I’m sure plenty of depressive music fans would love it. Not my cup of tea.
http://www.myspace.com/churchofisolation
Charlene Rance
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