Search - Isole :: Silent Ruins

Dirgy prog metal

eternal now | mankato | 03/27/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Evolution is the sign of a true artist. Any band that can spiral out their sound and grow together is a true band 'in my book'. On 'Silent Ruins' Isole grow outward to incorporate more progressive metal nuances into their Epic Doom Metal, as well as refining their established sound. The end result is nothing short of amazing.



There is a sticker on the cover that proudly shouts "Swedish Epic Doom Metal!", which about sums up 'Silent Ruins'. However don't get fooled into thinking that this album is some sort of bore fest. While the songs are indeed slow, epic dirge-a-thons they are performed with top professionalism, technical skill and a precision that is matched only by the best musicians. On their fourth record, Isole injected much more progressive rock into their Epic Doom theme, crafting a sound that is both doom tinged and proggy at the same time; quite unique and original.





The vocals can get a little irritating at first, as they are mostly clean sung and very cheesy sounding, but soon they blend into the whole and it fits. The vocal melodies work perfectly with the music, and some of them are rather catchy. Tracks like 'Hollow Shrine' feature some of the most beautifully haunting chorus singing I've ever experienced. I was very impressed by the drumming, which plays a perfect balancing act between time keeper and virtuoso. The guitar riffs interchange between slow doom dirges and progressive metal riffing, with each song featuring organic progressions. The occasional acoustic riff is injected here and there, but not nearly enough to establish a presence on 'Silent Ruins', which is too bad, because acoustic guitars would really suit their style, though it would probably pidgeonhole the band as an 'Opeth ripoff'.



Maybe its just me, but I can hear the tiniest hint of Opeth in 'Silent Ruins', most especially the progressive metal doom passages. Not that its a bad thing, of course. Either way it doesn't really matter, as Isole have crafted their own sound, and it works really well. One things for sure, Isole are certainly at the top of the Epic Doom Metal food chain."