Isis - In the Absence of Truth

Isis have come a long way in their 10 year existence. Originally starting as little more than a Neurosis clone, they’ve come to be almost as influential in their seemingly endless vision of heavy, experimental music. Now off an arena tour opening for fan-mocking, prog-metal pioneers, Tool, they’ve hit a level far bigger than I anticipated. However, on In the Absence of Truth Isis seems to be playing it by the book. The songs are epic and full of sweeping, beautiful crescendos and the production and arrangement are excellent, but nothing on here floors me. It seems they set the bar so high with their 2002 opus, Oceanic, they may never be able top it. With that said, this record will go down as another triumph for the rabid Isis fans and I can understand that. Even when Isis is not at the top of their game, they are still leagues above their peers in terms of what they’ve accomplished and what they’ve yet to do. Regardless if mass appeal is on the horizon or not, they’ve built up a diehard fanbase of bearded men anxiously awaiting the next bong ripping riff and the chemical induced calm that takes over once the smoke clears.