Seems to be nice and breezy enough. I doubt if it will top Oceanic though.

Oceanic is definitely my favorite - for that matter "The Beginning And The End" is my single-favorite song by the band - but I have enjoyed all of their output. New Isis? I'm in.

I have listened to it once now. Not sure what I think of it just yet. I was iffy on the last album and that one has ended up getting played quite a bit. So far the most notable thing about this one is their increased use of the so-called "blue notes." For example there are some songs in B-flat, which I believe is a first for them. I'll take it on the road with me and see how that goes. I am sure I will warm to it at any rate, but unlike other releases nothing has grabbed me at all yet.

^^ what's your av of?

It actually came from a custom video of Pantera's "Fucking Hostile." Someone made a couple of videos where with "misheard" lyrics and that was one of the still images. I liked the absurdity of it and it's actually been my avatar now for a while. I was bouncing around for some time and this one kind of just stuck. It's probably my longest-running avy now.

Do you think during their songwriting process for this album, they were conscious of the fact that they were using more "blue notes," or did they stumble on some riffs and went in that direction?

I've always been interested to know how intentional the songwriting process is for a metal band like Isis...

You know I have no idea. I mean half of their catalog has them plodding a riff in B anyway

But in all seriousness they could be playing around in other tunings or something. When I write - and lately there's been little of that - the key of the song is chosen deliberately. It is easy for a band like Isis to "flavor" their soundscapes as they wish with this kind of decision.

Isis remind me a little of Enslaved, in that there is always a palpable difference in albums, even if its only a slight progression. This new album is interesting enough without being too different that I'm listening to it regularly and genuinely enjoying it, which is all that really matters. The quality of their music is already so high, I don't exactly feel that I need too far an amazing leap from what In The Absence, Panopticon, or even Oceanic was. Oceanic was quite a while ago, and the progression has been steady enough that Isis are just a very comfortable band, and I dont expect them to dissapoint..

That said, there are a few weaker moments, most notably in Ghost Key I thought, but all in all I'm very glad I stopped by here since I hadn't heard of it somehow.

maybe Adam Jones being on 2 of the tracks is what makes a difference? I'm listening to this the first time through and I'm enjoying it more than anything since 'Oceanic' as you all have said.

(perhaps my love of Tool helps in my opinion as well)

^ It doesn't sound like Undertow does it?