Isis - In The Absence of Truth (Ipecac)
3/5
By: Thomas Hannan
In many ways, Isis are a lot like The Simpsons. They appeal on a basic level to those who are looking for instant gratification, something unto which you won't have to invest too much thought if you're not so inclined. They're yellow, and have only four fingers on each hand. They're also incredibly subtle, and can be analysed, assessed and talked over-complicatedly about whilst still enjoying their superficial elements on a simple level. It's for this final reason more than any other that they're able to transcend their decidedly masculine, heavy metal fan base and appeal to a crowd who would not have considered (for example) buying a Deftones record since they want crap many, many moons ago. It's more than likely that this is the reason you're reading this article, having previously glanced over what we thought about Bruce Springsteen or The Maccabees. You think of yourself as the intelligent sort.
'In The Absence of Truth' follows numerous Isis records that many would count as modern classics. Like those, it's heavy - very heavy. But the weight of it comes not only from the distortion on the guitar sounds or the guttural wrenching of the vocals (though there is a heft helping of both), but from the way Isis play with rhythm and space.
First, they don't leave any space - if notes aren't being noticeably plucked, hammered or stroked by any one particular recognisable instrument, there will be in the background an inescapable floating murmur, one that sits over the album like a fog, never letting you see the light of day or where Isis are taking you next. It's the sonic equivalent of having woken up with your eyes caked closed. It's also as pretty, and ghoulishly fascinating. Secondly, the rhythm will only very rarely descend in to anything particularly reminiscent of something you'll have heard before (outside, that is, of another Isis album). The drums do nothing but roll in the background for an hour, a style of playing so complex you could write a thesis about it. It carries the record in a way which is entirely unique to this band. Yes, others use the method from time to time to emphasise certain parts of songs. Isis - and it's something that takes some getting used to - stick to it like glue.
Funny, in a way, because whilst it helps them retain a grip on being captivatingly dense, in moments where the guitars, bass and screams are hammering away at a particularly rewarding riff it'd be one hell of a pay off if the drums just stopped rolling around for a minute and were hit, very very hard, in very obvious but very gratifying patterns. But it never happens. The relentless passage of the drum pattern continues unabated. It's simultaneously the most frustrating, intriguing and numbing thing about the record. It's also the one thing that puts Isis completely in a field of their own.
Of course, the other players are all adept too - nothing about these chord progressions or hints at melody hark to anything steeped in convention. But together with that rhythm section, they help to just create a one hour long sound that completely deadens the senses. If you'd sat for the duration, you'd get up and wobble around, as if smacked round the head. Your other records won't have this effect, your other records may not be this frustrating or contain this little pay off. But as far as intricacy and attention to detail goes, 'In The Absence of Truth' has got the rest of your collection laid prostrate in submission.
Your Feedback
Login to post your comment