Isis @ Metro, Sydney (03/02/07)

Isis are known for their staggeringly epic releases, and this is not only matched, but exceeded by their live performance. Here their cohesive and expertly crafted songs shine, especially with their earthquake-inducing triple-guitar attack.

The members of Isis (vocalist & guitarist Aaron Turner, guitarist and keyboardist Clifford Meyer, guitarist Mike Gallagher, bassist Jeff Caxide and Aaron Harris on the drums) combine to create unpretentious, dynamic art-rock that is both beautiful and brutal.

Unlike their fellow art-metallers Tool, the music of Isis is more demanding - it’s heaver, harder and far less self-indulgent. Isis is very much the band Tool could be, if they ditched their egos. Of course, Tool are an excellent band and comparisons with Isis come down to personal preference.

Isis played with controlled savagery through an intricate, often instrumental set including the powerful Wills Dissolve and False Light. In The Absence of Truth (regarded by many as the top metal release of 2006) featured heavily, with the likes of Dulcinea, 1000 Shards, Wrists Of Kings and Not In Rivers, But In Drops.

Isis have been labelled ‘film score metal’ by some, and it’s not hard to see why. Their enchanting brand of climatic metal suits a broad sonic, sophisticated soundscape that rockets along without excess. They avoid the trap of meandering metal by playing with controlled chaos – they throw their punches at exactly the right moment, with amazing discipline.

A stellar performance and easily the best of the year so far – quite a feat considering the Big Day Out and its sideshows rolled through town just the other week. Isis are quite the behemoth whose imaginative music often requires focused attention, basically because they’re so fucking good.