I like a lot of Isis — especially Oceanic, Panopticon, and, yes, In The Absence Of Truth — but the Boston-to-L.A. post-metal group’s generally beloved fifth album Wavering Radiant has struck me, basically, as good background music since its release this past Spring. Sue me: The Isis elements are there, but somehow it’s just too well-oiled. The polish provides a fitting soundtrack for the sleek, subtly detailed imagery in this gorgeously epic Matt Santoro-directed video for “20 Minutes/40 Years.”
I walked away from that wanting to give Wavering a few more chances.
Wavering Radiant is out via Ipecac.
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Wow, stealing from TOOL much?
I think it’s WAVERING RADIANT, not WANDERING RADIANT, although they used both above. I think it’s fair to say they’re being influenced by Tool, but also myriad other bands, ones much more abstract and (to me, at least) groundbreaking. It’s a great song, off a fantastic album, and the video is just balls out, bat-shit crazy in the greatest possible way. Phenomenal band that is pushing the boundaries of heavy/shoe-gazy/whatever you wanna call it music. I am impressed.
technically, this is amazing. thematically, though?it’s super, super broad. anagram, bored. music should be the most complex thing here. visually, this undermines the complexity of the music.