Isis was an American post-metal band active from 1997 to 2010. They released five full-length albums, five extended plays (EPs), seven live albums, two singles, and have collaborated with artists on numerous other projects.

Isis discography
Isis performing live, on a moodily-lit stage.
Isis performing live at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco, CA. Visible from left to right are: Michael Gallagher, Jeff Caxide, Aaron Turner, Bryant Clifford Meyer. Visible in the back is drummer Aaron Harris.
Studio albums5
EPs5
Live albums7
Compilation albums2
Singles2
Video albums1
Music videos5
Splits2
Other appearances1

Isis was formed in Boston, Massachusetts in late 1997 by Aaron Turner (guitar/vocals; also the owner of Hydra Head Records), Jeff Caxide (bass guitar), Chris Mereschuk (electronics/vocals) and Aaron Harris (drums).[1] In 1998, they released a demo and their first EP, Mosquito Control, with this lineup. The band replaced Mereschuk with Jay Randall and added former Cast Iron Hike guitarist Michael Gallagher before releasing the 1999 EP The Red Sea. Bryant Clifford Meyer of The Gersch replaced Jay Randall in late 1999, and Isis remained with this lineup until their dissolution. Isis' debut full-length, Celestial, and its sister EP, SGNL>05, were released in 2000 and 2001, respectively.

In 2002, Oceanic was released to critical acclaim,[2][3][4] and was the subject of a series of four vinyl reinterpretations by various contemporary artists; the series was consolidated into an Ipecac Recordings release, entitled Oceanic: Remixes & Reinterpretations.[5] Growth in stature necessitated relocation to Los Angeles in 2003.[6] Panopticon was released in 2004, to further critical plaudits and an album of the year award from Rock Sound.[7][8][9] It was also the band's first entry into the charts, peaking at number 47 in the Billboard Top Independent Albums chart.[10]

Their next record, In the Absence of Truth, was released by Ipecac on October 31, 2006. This full-length charted more successfully, peaking at number six in Billboard's Top Heatseekers chart;[10] however, critical reception was not particularly warm and the band themselves have expressed disappointment with the album.[11][12] "Holy Tears" and "Not in Rivers, but in Drops" were released from the album as singles in 2008, along with a limited-edition vinyl compilation box set entitled Shades of the Swarm later in the year. Their final full-length, Wavering Radiant, was released in 2009 and marked the band's first entry in the Billboard 200, peaking at 98;[10] it also saw international commercial exposure, seeing entry into the charts of the United Kingdom, Germany and Norway.[13][14][15] Isis split up in June 2010, just before the release of a split EP with Melvins.[16] Their entire back-catalogue of live releases saw digital re-release in mid-2011,[17] and a compilation of demos and alternative versions of songs, called Temporal, was released on November 6, 2012 by Ipecac Recordings.[18]

Albums

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Studio albums

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List of studio albums, with selected chart positions and certifications
Title Album details Peak chart positions
US Indie
[10]
US Heat
[10]
US Rock
[10]
US Taste
[10]
US
[10]
UK
[13][19]
UK Rock
[20]
GER
[15]
NOR
[14]
Celestial
Oceanic
  • Released: September 16, 2002[22]
  • Label: Ipecac (IPC-032)
  • Formats: CD, 2×LP
Panopticon
  • Released: October 19, 2004
  • Label: Ipecac (IPC-057)
  • Formats: CD, 2×LP
47
In the Absence of Truth
  • Released: October 31, 2006
  • Label: Ipecac (IPC-081)
  • Formats: CD, 2×LP
20 6 12 184
Wavering Radiant
  • Released: May 5, 2009
  • Label: Ipecac (IPC-113)
  • Formats: CD, 2×LP
10 14 7 98 190 17 96 37
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Live albums

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Title Release details Recorded
Live I
  • Released: March 2004
  • Label: Electric Human Project (EHP 0.31)
  • Formats: CD, LP
Live II
Live III
Live IV
  • 2001–2005
  • Various sources
Live V
  • Released: October 2009[26]
  • Label: Viva Hate (VHR018)
  • Formats: CD, 2×LP
Live VI
  • Released: February 14, 2012
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: 2×LP
Live VII
  • Released: March 31, 2017
  • Label: Ipecac (IPC-181)
  • Formats: 2×LP, CD

Extended plays

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Solo

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Title Release details Notes
Demo 98
  • Released: June 1998[27]
  • Label: Hydra Head (HH666-27.5)
  • Format: Cassette
Demo recording. 545 cassettes were made.[28][29] The songs were later included as bonus tracks on the CD and 12" versions of The Red Sea.
The Mosquito Control EP First official release.[31][32]
The Red Sea The CD and 12" versions of this release include all material from the 1998 demo.[33]
Sawblade
  • Released: 1999
  • Label: Hydra Head (HH666-41.5)
  • Formats: CD-R, LP
Tour-only limited edition release; 200 handmade CD-Rs and 250 copies of the vinyl edition were pressed.[34][35] 600 vinyl editions were later pressed as part of the Shades of the Swarm box set.
SGNL›05
  • Released: March 6, 2001
  • Label: Neurot (NR012)
  • Formats: CD, LP
This release has been described by Aaron Turner as an "extension" of Celestial.[36]

Collaborative

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Title Release details Notes
In the Fishtank 14
(with Aereogramme)
  • Released: September 25, 2006
  • Label: Konkurrent (Fish 14)
  • Formats: CD, LP
Part of the "In the Fishtank" series, this release is a collaboration with Scottish band Aereogramme.[37]

Splits

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Title Release details Notes
Isis / Pig Destroyer
  • Released: July 2000
  • Label: Relapse (RR-040)
  • Format: 7" vinyl
Isis contributed a cover version of the title track from Godfleshes Streetcleaner[38] which was previously released on the Sawblade EP.
Melvins / Isis
  • Released: July 13, 2010
  • Label: Hydra Head (HH666-214)
  • Format: LP
Isis contributed two songs that were recorded during the Wavering Radiant sessions.[39]

Remixes

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Title Release details Notes
Oceanic Remixes Volume I Consists of remixes of tracks from Oceanic, contributed to by a variety of artists. Later compiled and released as a 2×CD (and later 2×LP) titled Oceanic Remixes/Reinterpretations. Also released as a 4×LP box set comprising all four volumes.[40][41]
Oceanic Remixes Volume II
Oceanic Remixes Volume III
Oceanic Remixes Volume IV
  • Released: November 23, 2004
  • Label: Robotic Empire (Robo 040)
  • Format: LP

Compilations / box sets

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Title Release details Type Notes
Oceanic Remixes/Reinterpretations Remix album,
Compilation,
Box set
Consists of remixes of tracks from Oceanic, contributed to by a variety of artists. Originally released as a series of four 12" LPs on Robotic Empire.[42]
Shades of the Swarm
  • Released: February 22, 2008
  • Labels: Robotic Empire (Robo 074) and Conspiracy (CORE058)
  • Format: 12×LP
Box set LP box set of all of Isis' full-length albums and EPs up to and including In the Absence of Truth, produced in commemoration of the band's 10-year anniversary. Limited to 600.[43]
Live I-VI
  • Released: March 21, 2012
  • Label: Daymare (DYMC-150)
  • Format: 6×CD
Live album,
Box set
CD box set consisting of Live I, Live II, Live III, Live IV, Live V, and Live VI. Limited to 300.
Temporal
  • Released: November 6, 2012
  • Label: Ipecac (IPC-140)
  • Formats: 2×CD, 3×LP DVD
Compilation Contains demos, remixes, covers, an acoustic track, and a DVD featuring all official music videos.[18]

Singles

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Title Release details Album
"Holy Tears"
  • Released: February 5, 2008[44]
  • Label: Ipecac (IPC-095)
  • Formats: CD, LP
In the Absence of Truth (2006)
"Not in Rivers, But in Drops"
  • Released: October 14, 2008
  • Label: Ipecac (IPC-099)
  • Format: CD

Videography

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Music videos

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Title Director Album
"In Fiction" Josh Graham[45] Panopticon (2004)
"Holy Tears" Dominic Hailstone[46] In the Absence of Truth (2006)
"Not in Rivers, But in Drops" Sera Timms[47]
"20 Minutes / 40 Years" Matt Santoro[48] Wavering Radiant (2009)
"Pliable Foe" Kenneth Thomas Melvins / Isis (2010)
Title Release details Notes
Clearing the Eye
  • Released: September 26, 2006
  • Label: Ipecac (IPC-080)
  • Format: DVD
Features live videos (including an entire live performance), the "In Fiction" music video, photo galleries, a complete discography, lyrics for all songs featured, and a 20-page booklet.[44]

Other appearances

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Song Year Compilation Label Notes
"Boris" 2005 We Reach: The Music of the Melvins Fractured Transmitter (FTRC004) Cover of a Melvins song; collaboration with Agoraphobic Nosebleed.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Aaron Turner interview". Feast of Hate and Fear. Retrieved June 29, 2011.
  2. ^ Jahdi, Robin (May 8, 2009). "Isis: Wavering Radiant". FACT Magazine. Retrieved May 15, 2009.
  3. ^ Savage, Milton (May 13, 2009). "Isis: Wavering Radiant". Drowned in Sound. Archived from the original on May 16, 2009. Retrieved May 23, 2009.
  4. ^ "Isis – Panopticon". Tiny Mix Tapes. Archived from the original on May 17, 2008. Retrieved December 28, 2010.
  5. ^ "Oceanic: Remixes/Reinterpretations". AllMusic. Retrieved April 18, 2011.
  6. ^ Lee, Cosmo (May 22, 2006). "Signal Fills the Void: An Interview with Mike Gallagher of Isis". PopMatters. Retrieved April 18, 2011.
  7. ^ Bennett, J (November 2004). "Review of Panopticon". Rock Sound (66).
  8. ^ Diver, Mike (October 1, 2004). "Isis – Panopticon". Drowned in Sound. Archived from the original on October 10, 2012. Retrieved December 28, 2010.
  9. ^ Stosuy, Brandon (November 8, 2004). "Isis: Panopticon". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 28, 2010.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h "Artist Chart History - Isis". Billboard. Retrieved February 19, 2011.
  11. ^ "In the Absence of Truth". Metacritic. Retrieved April 11, 2011.
  12. ^ Bennett, J. (June 2009). "Five Alive". Decibel (56): 68–73. [A]ll five members express varying degrees of dissatisfaction with that album [...] Turner offers [...] 'Because we were composing things as duos or trios rather than as a whole group, it made the whole record maybe less coherent and slightly weaker than it should have been.'
  13. ^ a b "UK Albums Chart - Isis". Zobbel. Retrieved April 13, 2011.
  14. ^ a b "Isis' Wavering Radiant lands on Norwegian chart". Blabbermouth.net. Roadrunner Records. May 25, 2009. Archived from the original on February 1, 2013. Retrieved April 13, 2011.
  15. ^ a b "German Albums Chart - Isis". musicline.de. Archived from the original on February 2, 2014. Retrieved March 11, 2010.
  16. ^ Barton, Chris (May 19, 2010). "L.A.-based band Isis calls it quits". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 19, 2011.
  17. ^ "Isis says goodbye with five live albums". Punknews. May 9, 2011. Retrieved May 10, 2011.
  18. ^ a b "ISIS: 'Temporal' Cover Artwork, Track Listing Revealed". Blabbermouth.net. August 29, 2012. Retrieved October 15, 2012.
  19. ^ "Chart Log UK – 1994–2008: I Am Kloot – I Wayne". Zobbel. Retrieved April 13, 2011.
  20. ^ "Top 40 Rock albums". BBC Radio 1. May 15, 2009. Archived from the original on April 22, 2009. Retrieved November 8, 2008.
  21. ^ York, William. "Celestial – Isis". AllMusic. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
  22. ^ Serba, John. "Oceanic – Isis". AllMusic. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
  23. ^ "TMU 152 Isis". Troubleman Unlimited Records. Archived from the original on September 28, 2011. Retrieved April 25, 2011.
  24. ^ "ISIS: Rehearsal Video Posted Online". Blabbermouth.net. Roadrunner Records. November 6, 2006. Archived from the original on September 10, 2012. Retrieved April 25, 2011.
  25. ^ "Discography". Robotic Empire. Archived from the original on June 8, 2011. Retrieved April 25, 2011.
  26. ^ "Isis – Live V on vinyl out in October…". Viva Hate Records. August 30, 2009. Retrieved April 18, 2011.
  27. ^ Downey, Ryan. "Isis". AllMusic. Retrieved April 18, 2011.
  28. ^ Isis discography Hydra Head
  29. ^ Isis Demo Hydra Head
  30. ^ York, William. ""Mosquito Control" – Isis". AllMusic. Retrieved March 31, 2011.
  31. ^ The Mosquito Control EP at Merchtable
  32. ^ The Mosquito Control EP at Bandcamp
  33. ^ York, William. "The Red Sea – Isis". AllMusic. Retrieved April 5, 2011.
  34. ^ Conrad, Matt (June 21, 2007). "Isis - Sawblade EP Review". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved May 25, 2009.
  35. ^ "Isis Sawblade 12". Tortuga Recordings. Archived from the original on November 20, 2008. Retrieved May 25, 2009.
  36. ^ Taylor, Ken. "Isis – SNGL>05". AllMusic. Retrieved September 22, 2009.
  37. ^ "Isis Aereogramme". Konkurrent. Retrieved May 2, 2011.
  38. ^ "Artist Biography – Pig Destroyer". Relapse Records. Archived from the original on August 23, 2004. Retrieved April 18, 2011.
  39. ^ "Isis/Melvins & Torche/Boris Split Vinyl Releases Available From Hydra Head On 7/14!!". Hydra Head Records. May 26, 2010. Retrieved February 19, 2011.
  40. ^ Oceanic Remixes at Discogs
  41. ^ Oceanic remixes box set
  42. ^ "Oceanic: Remixes/Reinterpretations". AllMusic. Retrieved April 18, 2011.
  43. ^ "Shades of the Swarm ten year anniversary (CORE058)". Conspiracy Records. Archived from the original on October 2, 2011. Retrieved April 13, 2011.
  44. ^ a b "Isis". Ipecac Recordings. Retrieved April 18, 2011.
  45. ^ "Interview with Jeff Caxide". Global Domination. November 25, 2004. Archived from the original on August 22, 2010. Retrieved August 27, 2008.
  46. ^ Turner, Aaron (February 5, 2008). "Isis video, single, etc". Feral Pig. Retrieved March 17, 2008.
  47. ^ Not in Rivers, But in Drops (Digipak single notes). Isis. Ipecac Recordings. 2008. IPC-099.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  48. ^ "Isis - "20 Minutes / 40 Years"". MTV. Archived from the original on November 29, 2009. Retrieved November 30, 2009.

General

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