PANOPTICON

Panopticon is the third full-length studio album by American post metal/ Experimental metal act Isis. This is where all the pieces begin to fit together IMO. Having listened to and reviewed the first two albums by Isis Celestial (2000) and Oceanic (2002) without being totally blown away ( both are great albums though and especially Oceanic (2002) has lots of excellent elements), I am really thrilled about Panopticon.

The music style on the album is unmistakably Isis but some things have changed for the better since Oceanic (2002) IMO. The characteristic slow and building heavy guitar riffs are still there but the mellow atmospheric post rock sections with clean guitars are even more pronounced on Panopticon than they were on Oceanic (2002). The music has become more melodic and the vocals while still shouting also features more melodic qualities which is something I appreciate and greatly enjoy ( there are actually not that many vocals on the album though. Much of the album is instrumental). The vocals are still pretty low in the mix but it gives Isis music a special feel.

The production is professional and very well sounding. Crushingly heavy but with lots of dynamic between the heavy sections and the atmospheric parts. The sound is actually very original.

Panopticon is an excellent album by Isis and the first album by the band that I enjoy without reservations. It´s a seminal album in the genre for sure and a well deserved 4 star rating from me. I even considered giving the album 5 stars at one point.