It's certainly been a while. Five years after Isolation released their first demo “Striding on the Path of Nihil” Eisenwald Tonschmiede finally presents the Isolation debut album appropriately titled “Closing a Circle”, as it marks the end of an era for the band. “Releasing our debut album was an important step to us and we wanted to make sure that we have found our very own sound by then – so we took our time”, explains Johannes Schmid, guitarist and singer of the band. But they certainly made good use of the time, having released three demos, one compilation and a split named “Bleak” with the mighty Austere from Australia (r.i.p.). Musically Isolation constantly developed themselves from the angry and chaotic depressive black metal of “Striding on the Path of Nihil” and the doomish second demo “A Prayer for the World to end” towards calmer more atmospheric regions, reaching its peak with the mesmerizing extensive riffing on “Bleak”.
So what does Isolation in the year 2011 sound like? Well, you probably best listen and decide for yourself. Of course that is an unsatisfactory way to handle that question, so we'll try. Generally Isolation could be described as atmospheric, melancholic rock/metal with mostly clean singing and occasional outbursts of harsh vocals. Compared to the 16 minutes main track “Mosaic” on “Bleak” the songs have become more compact and to the point. But this of course does not mean that Isolation have forgotten how to write atmospheric longer songs, as demonstrated with the captivating instrumental track “Nomad”.
A key element of the new album, which sets it apart from former works, is the powerful and characteristic play of new bassist Andre Jonas. Whereas in the majority of (black) metal albums the bass “just has to be there”, on “Closing a Circle” it takes over a defining position. To spot black metal elements from the early days might be guesswork to some, but hints of the feeling remain deeply buried inside the atmosphere. But it is indeed difficult to give a definite label to Isolation's style, a task that is not made easier by the fact each song on the album has its very own character.
“But that's the beauty of it, isn't it?”, comments Johannes, “if we were that easy to categorize, we would somehow failed to develop our own sound in my eyes.”
But whatever you may chose to call it “Closing a Circle” takes you on an atmospheric voyage through different moods and soundscapes, providing a listening experience not to be missed.
Running time: 46:11
Release date: June 20th, 2011
File under: Post-Rock / Melancholic Metal
Tracklist:
1. Something and Nothing
2. Closing a Circle
3. Never Enough
4. This Moment
5. Nomad
6. One Day
7. Fan the Flames
8. There Will Be No Answer
9. The Wasteland
10. May you fare well
Line-Up
Johannes Schmid - guitars, vocals
Albert Röhl - drums
Andre Jonas - bass
http://www.churchofisolation.net/
http://www.myspace.com/churchofisolation
https://www.facebook.com/churchofisolation
Label contact: http://www.eisenton.de
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