This is it folks. This is the kind of stuff that I always wanted to see these Isis/Pelican types evolve into. Isthmus is unsigned, and having heard this phenomenal debut called Land Bridge, I can't help but tell you how we've discovered another gem that no one will give a shit about.

Normally the above paragraph is what I'd chalk up when I close a review out, but this is one of those occasions where I didn't have to go on about how tedious post-metal has become, or write an essay about the background story of this exciting newcomer that I've got this promo of. Because it doesn't really matter.

Moving on, Isthmus is a tricky beast so I need your attention while I go on about this, ok? I mean, I've played this bastard at least twice a day since this landed ten days ago and at the end of every listen I've felt that I've got a grasp of what this is all about and that I'm ready to give this review a shot. But another listen and I end up hearing layers in the mix that's important but could hear it only on multiple listens.

The melodies, the progressive chops, the intricacy and the tendency to not write meandering trips (I like those too) but to get on with the songs drives this band. While the fact that they're a lot more concise in their songwriting is undeniable, it isn't just what these guys are all about. They do have parts that we can draw comparisons to Neurosis, Isis, Pelican and the likes, and on rare occasions even remind one of Intronaut, Mastodon or Baroness' weirdness, intensity and dynamics. These guys otherwise have gone way beyond what can be done within this framework and have brought in a lot of elements that's ridiculously good and addictive. First and foremost, they have the heavy dissonant chug and a tech-metal approach to rhythms and riffing that they combine tastefully with quirky and beautiful melodies, arpeggios and other lead guitar lines rich in harmony. But the differentiator for Isthmus is definitely the fusiony elements they bring to the table. Think Cynic or Aghora playing post-metal and you won't be too far from some of Isthmus' ideas.

Their talent and the unique sound is showcased cohesively throughout the album. Watch out for the title track, the most doom and epic of all on this album. Or even something like the album closer Sea Vaporum which reeks of King Crimson style bizarreness done with some of those fusion elements and some serious headbangable and mathy guitar riffing. My single most glorious moment of this album is on the short track 3, Perihelion I, where these guys seem to be playing teasers of what's to come and that thing comes at close to the one minute mark, it just boggles my mind every time I play this. It's cool like that.

This is not a very vocal fronted band from the looks of it. What we have are some black metallish screams and some ethereal clean vocals, buried in the mix. Those addictive melodies coming from the guitars are a lot more important in the grand scheme of things here. Their lyrics about nature added with the atmosphere from a layer or two of some serious psychedelic noises, and the top quality production help make this one of this year's best surprises. You guys need to get hip to this.

Label: Self
Year of Release: 2008

http://www.myspace.com/isthmusband

http://isthmusband.com