Harsh, relentless omniscient brutality. (Panopticon - Isis)

Member Name: Mutalisk

Product:	Panopticon - Isis
Date:	06/06/09 (17 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: emotive, epic, long, fantastic instrumentation.

Disadvantages: Not easy listening - perhaps too heavy for some.

Panopticon is the third album from Boston based post rock outfit Isis, released on October 14th from Ipecac records.

The album art, a series of expanded satelite imagery is used to give an idea of the Panopticon, an omniscient entity of containment, derived from philosopher Jeremy Bentham's concept and design of the same name. There are quotations on the sleeve from technologists Rheingold and Steffen, which reintroduce the idea of 'the tower' a notion first explored in their debut album 'Celestial.'

From the first track, the brutal, unnerving clash of instruments, distorted guitar, clean vocals and relentless drums make it obvious that Panopticon will build a harsh, unforgiving post-metal soundscape of epic proportions. The almost constant repetition of passages, down-tuned riffs and subdued vocal patterns develop a strong idea of mimicry, which superbly complements the subject matter -- The all-seeing.

The juxtaposition of clean vocals in the early tracks with such unrelentingly brutal riffs give a real sense of disdain, regret and resentment, the whole album an ongoing struggle between the main, seemingly female character and the tower. Panopticon in its midsection seems to lull the listener into a false sense of security, with clean guitars and soft bass, before pulling the lever and descending into more of the unforgiving sonic crunch we saw in Oceanic, this time with heavily effect-laden guitar pieces and the crushing sense of destruction from Celestial. It would seem that Panopticon is the result of Isis's two previous albums, (Oceanic and Celestial) merging into one progressive, sludge-laden masterpiece.

The tracks are typically fairly long and sombre, although comparatively short for Isis.
As usual with this band, the album is best enjoyed in its entirety, as there is little variation in songs.

Track listing:
So Did We - 7:31
Backlit - 7:43
Wills Dissolve - 8:58
Syndic Calls - 6:48
Altered Course - 9:39
Grinning Mouths - 9:58
In Fiction - 8:27

For fans of Jesu, Cult Of Luna, Mogwai, Pelican and Red Sparowes, Panopticon will not disappoint.

Summary: An epic post-rock riff-fest.