yessssssss 6/7 woot!

http://www.progressor.net/review/isthmus_2008.html

"TRACK LIST:

1. Unnamed 1:05
2. On Curl of Sand 5:54
3. Perihelion 1:54
4. Perihelion-II 5:26
5. Perihelion-III 2:52
6. Red Shift 3:41
7. Red Shift-II 3:37
8. Land Bridge 6:00
9. Sea Vaporum 4:53
10. Unnamed-II 5:41

LINEUP:

Noel Mueller – guitars; vocals
Matt Hogans – guitar
Chris May – drums
Joe Kienie – bass

Prolusion. ISTHMUS is a US outfit that was formed in 2005 and the final line-up was completed early in 2008. "Land Bridge" is their debut album, and was self-released in April 2008.

Analysis.Now this is a nice little surprise in the progressive metal department. Disregarding the three compositions here that basically are sound collages, we're served an innovative venture into the fields of bleak and often rather heavy guitar-dominated metal. But in this case you won't find guitarists trying to break the speed barrier, despite delivering what seem to be complex and highly technical performances. And quite rare in this field of music, guitar soloing is not a feature in the proceedings at all, at least not in the ordinary manner. Probably not as original as they appear to me, as I see that they are compared to other bands (Mastodon, Russian Circles, Intronaut, Neurosis), but even so this is good stuff; with a number of nice details I haven't come across to any great extent previously. The guitar work is obviously the most important aspect of this creation, and in this case we're dealing with constantly evolving and changing structures and sounds. Quirky riff patterns moving from a light sound that makes me think of Rush at times, to slower, brutal and heavy explorations – or vice versa – with quite a few detours towards seemingly undistorted, mellow and melodic themes, with just a slight distorted edge to them as a common feature. The compositions move back and forth between these three rather different landscapes, visiting sounds in between those described as well, and more often than not we're also treated to multi-layered ventures with the tiniest hints of dissonances and disharmonies thrown in to add variation as well as a more detailed and textured sound. The drums and bass underscore this nicely, the bass not given any major or dominant role as far as I could hear, while the drums provide varied rhythms, often intense and at times rather quirky themselves as well. The vocals, although not a highly dominant feature on the four tracks where they are featured, are another aspect worth mentioning. The vocalist opts for the use of black metal inspired guttural vocals; a style I normally have a hard time enjoying. In this instance the delivery is one closer to whispering than the usual aggressive, loud growls though, adding a creepy, almost horror-like atmosphere that suits the music perfectly. Some segments with clean vocals which also are placed in the back of the mix provide a nice variation as well as contrast on this disc. Further variation are given by way of three compositions that basically are sound or noise collages, mostly non-melodic explorations made by assembling various sounds and noises of a fragmented nature with distinct space-tinged layers coming and going, and drawn-out distorted guitar sounds way back in the mix. The overall mood and atmosphere of this album is a dark and bleak one; I found myself thinking that this would be the perfect soundtrack for a feature film about a dead, lifeless planet. Intriguing and compelling, but also creepy, somewhat disturbing and emotionally barren.

Conclusion.The US act Isthmus comes across as a highly talented outfit and has produced a remarkable first release with "Land Bridge". The style and sound of this band come across as innovative as well as creative, especially when it comes to providing some finer details in compositions often aggressive, heavy and bleak. It's a release well worth checking out for those looking for something a bit out of the ordinary in the metal department.

OMB=Olav M Bjornsen: April 15, 2009"

Yo yo yo yo,

Just checkin' in with y'all to let y'all know how Isthmus has been faring so far on our second East Coast tour. All things considered, this year is vastly better than last. We've been keeping busy with a show a day, we've never had to drive more than 2 hours to our next show, we've hit a groove in our performance proficiency, and the talent level has our egos reeling and our pee-pees super inspired and excited about the direction our music is headed.

We're currently in Allston (right outside Boston) at O'Briens. The band crashed at the pad of Jeff and Jesse from CCR last night and though we totally appreciate having not had to sleep in the van yet, the floor was br00tal. Noel's futon was much better. His pee is rested. Matt's vag is rested. My b-hole feels like a million b-hollars. Our journey takes us as farth north as we'll be headed. Portland, Maine welcomes us with open b-holes as we will penetrate deeply into the state also known as Canada Lite. After that, we close out with a show in MA and then the finale in CT.

It's been hard work, lots of loading in and out, sucking people off for fresh caysh, but it's been a blast hooking up with bad-ass bands with poop loads of talent. Please someone from a record label give us a distribution deal. Thanks.

Many thanks to those who have let us crash with them including my friends from college, most of whom will never read this... B-HOLES. jkjkjkjkjkjjk love yew.

...been robbing people with my gun... taking my son to school.. killing people because they backhandedly insulted me... (ask us about this later)

More to come later...

With love and prosperity,

Cash Money Chris (on behalf of Issmus)

Review of Isthmus "Land Bridge" (2008)
by Windhawk

"Impressive debut album by this US act.

With the 7 guitar-dominated and 3 more experimental tracks on this CD, the band
presents itself as an innovative addition to the roster of up and coming metal bands.

Quirky and constantly changing riff patterns are mixed with more mellow-sounding passages with distorted and gritty yet melodic and calm guitar licks. No soloing at all in any manner we're used to; melodic overlays of a more experimental nature is a constant feature though; often placed a bit back in the mix.

The vocal passages are dampened as well; with a whispered form of black
metal style croaking as the most common feature but with regular vocals
used at times too.

Three mostly non-melodic soundscapes are spread out on this production too; featuring noises, sounds and space-tinged atmospheres seemingly of electronic origin.

Intriguing and compelling stuff - rather bleak and often heavy and aggressive - and well worth checking out for those into the more inventive side of metal. 4.5/5"

Saw this in the unsigned bands column in the jan issue of Decibel.. Thank you, Cosmo Lee!

"BTBAM as a NeurIsis band: deliberate tempos with elegant lyrical leads. Isthmus bring to mind Intronaut, though these Baltimorians soar more freely into the skies of 70's prog. Melodies are haunting and abstract, while vocals are unobtrusive and atmospheric. This is how NeurIsis should be - a truly open system.
"

- Decibel Magazine, Jan.
2009 Issue

Go buy the magazine!

WTTFFFFFFFF yes, thats right. We got a 10/10 review.

http://www.beatbots.com/view.php?audio=151

somebody likes us!

PS: we're on iTunes - sample it.

4.5/5
"Superb"

by Crimson (42 Reviews)

2008-10-16

Summary: A brief glimpse into what the future of post-metal could be.


Isthmus are a strange beast. Take one listen to "On Curl Of Sand" and you'll realise that these guys aren't your usual post-metal act, sure, some of the ideas might seem familiar to other bands, but their execution is anything but. I mean, take for example the gorgeous guitar runs and confusing time signatures that are used on many of the tracks for an example on how these guys like to surprise and confuse you at every turn. "Land Bridge" is a very technical and virtuoso effort from the start, and it is this unrelenting tide of odd patterns and funky riffs that differentiates the band from hundreds of other post-metal groups who end up sounding the same as each other. Despite all of this though, "Land Bridge" is still an album that can be enjoyed by any sort of Post-metal fan, thanks to the sheer professionalism and excellent song writing skills the band have to offer, it's not your usual Post-metal, no, it's something completely different, but all those Isis and Neurosis fans should still eat this up, it's too damn good to dislike.

Early on and at the heart of this album is the three piece "Perihelion" (try saying that after having a few), only part II features any vocals, with part I and III being short but stunning instrumentals. Placed early in the album, the "Perihelion" saga showcases the best of Isthmus's talents early on, with fantastic arpeggios and technical riffs from the guitarists coming hard and fast at every turn. While part II slows down the trilogy slightly with the guitars slowing down to let the almost robotic screamed vocals have a chance to keep up, the two instrumentals do fantastic in keeping a fast exhilarating pace, something unusual for this kind of genre. Trust me, when the harmonized riffs hit you at a minute in on part III, you won't know what day it is, they're so intense it's unreal, but still of course very melodic and atmospheric, keeping the trademarks of the genre just in tact when you think that Isthmus might just be playing something else but Post-metal.

After that trilogy, you come to realise that it is this constant contrast between typical Post-metal atmosphere and style with the technical and exciting playing of the band that makes this album so fascinating. While you will still get ambient build ups (beginning of "Perihelion II", for example) they are not as frequently used as other, more typical Post-metal acts, and that makes them all the more special. The band don't brood about unnecessarily in an effort to create atmosphere, it's already just there, they don't take their time to try and make the aggressive moments more dramatic, they don't need to be. Although very understated, Isthmus have a unique grasp on how to create great songs. They know where vocals are appropriate (for they are very sparse in the album), they know when to throw in a highly technical virtuoso moment, they know when to slow down for just a moment. All in all, "Land Bridge" comes off as an effort from a band that are simply beyond their age and time, the production is practically perfect, there is not a note out of place; "Land Bridge" is so excellently focused and intent upon it's purpose that it comes off all the more surprising that they've still managed to sound so unique and progressive from the start.

"Land Bridge" is not a vocally driven album at all, which helps make the use of ethereal singing and the mysterious undecipherable screaming all the more effective at building the claustrophobic atmosphere. The album is much more dependant on its guitars and bass than anything else, with the aforementioned technicality of the album playing a key role in everything that happens, the best examples of this are the instrumentals in the album. All five of them. Isthmus actually only have vocals on half of their tracks on "Land Bridge", and even on the ones that do, they sometimes only make brief appearances. This self assured belief in their own ability that they don't need to overuse the vocals makes Isthmus's atmosphere all the more enriching, as you are free to drown in the splendor of it all without needing to pay attention to the vocals. It's a unique approach that might turn some off (even when they come in, the vocals aren't exactly typical) but for those that can enjoy it for what it is will find it all the more fascinating.

Isthmus don't like to overstate themselves, none of the songs stray long over six minutes, and furthermore none of them waste time with pretentious build up moments or over-extended passages. For the last ten minutes of the album, there are no vocals at all; with the last song being an untitled ambient piece and the one before it being another spellbinding instrumental. In "Land Bridge", Isthmus have created one of the most technical and atmospheric Post-metal albums of the year, this is an album that almost feels ahead of it's time, like a brief glimpse into what the future of Post-metal could be. Or, in other terms, it's an evolution of Post-metal that was never really expected; a perfect and ironic jolt of life for a genre that prides itself on being unique in the first place. For anyone who's looking for something completely different from the rest your typical post-metal, you can't go wrong with Isthmus.

Thats right, we have these bad boys in stock, and they are even prettier in person.



and



paypal us $10 using the button or use CDbaby, (i believe you can use a credit card) and if you have any problems ordering, send me a message and i'll make sure you get one.

we will be on iTunes shortly.

-noel

Hey there nugs and nuggettes, our long-in-the-making full length album "Land Bridge" is complete, and i've been hand making many glorious batches, the latest few getting numbered from 100-150. The first 100 are already in many of your hands, and hopefully anybody who didn't catch us on tour or at our shows will read this, and GET A COPY OF OUR CD!

ISTHMUS - "LAND BRIDGE"
length: 41:06

1. ---------              1:05
2. On Curl of Sand   5:54
3. Perihelion I           1:54
4. Perihelion II          5:26
5. Perihelion III         2:52
6. Red Shift I            3:41
7. Red Shift II           3:37
8. Land Bridge          6:00
9. Sea Vaporum        4:53
10. ----------            5:41

CLICK HERE TO BUY IT
 
$10 - FREE SHIPPING
or, you could buy it from CDbaby at www.cdbaby.com/cd/isthmus

after many long hours, and hazy eyed, braindead nights of listening to final mixes, we've decided that our full length debut 'Land Bridge' is COMPLETE.

here's the basic info:

ISTHMUS - "LAND BRIDGE"
length: 41:06

1. ---------              1:05
2. On Curl of Sand   5:54
3. Perihelion I           1:54
4. Perihelion II          5:26
5. Perihelion III         2:52
6. Red Shift I            3:41
7. Red Shift II           3:37
8. Land Bridge          6:00
9. Sea Vaporum        4:53
10. ----------            5:41

$7 plus shipping

but, if you come to our record release show on thursday (4/24), at charm city art space (www.ccspace.org) it will be there for $5 - a lil' incentive to come.