Oceanic (Isis album)

Untitled

Oceanic is Isis' fifth solo release and second full length. Its release marks a distinct departure from their previous style; up until this point, Isis had been characterised by crushing, distorted guitars and a coarse, unforgiving tone. With this album came the introduction of lengthy periods of clean guitar, large amounts of ambient noise and female vocals. The change of style proved trying for some long-standing fans, but beneficial in garnering a greater fanbase and the Neurosis-Godflesh comparisons began to lessen in number.

Oceanic was named Terrorizer's number one album of 2002.

The album was remixed in a series of four vinyl EPs, named Oceanic Remixes/Interpretations Volumes I-IV and released on Robotic Empire Records in 2004 and 2005. Contributors included Mike Patton, Venetian Snares and Justin Broadrick. These tracks, and an additional track by Tim Hecker, were compiled into a two-CD release on Hydra Head Records, entitled Oceanic Remixes and Reinterpretations.

Themes

The album reintroduces the water and female themes of past releases the Red Sea and Celestial through a very specific story: A man at the brink of emotional numbness finds a female counterpart who completes him ("The Beginning and the End," "False Light"). However, he soon finds that she has had a long-term incestuous relationship ("Maritime," "Weight;" "a day, it changes everything") with her brother ("Hym," "The Other"). This drives him to lose all hope, and he commits suicide through drowning ("from sinking sands, he stepped into light's embrace;" as well, "I can't see her. I can't even breathe" - "Celestial (The Tower)").

Track listing

All songs written by Isis.

1. "The Beginning and the End" – 8:02
2. "The Other" – 7:15
3. "False Light" – 7:42
4. "Carry" – 6:48
5. (untitled) – 2:05
6. "Maritime" – 3:03
7. "Weight" – 10:46
8. "From Sinking" – 8:24
9. "Hym" – 9:13

Personnel

• Matt Bayles - Audio engineering, audio mixing and production
• Mélanie Benoit - Album photography
• Ed Brooks - Mastering
• Jeff Caxide - Bass guitar
• Maria Christopher - Vocals on "The Beginning and the End", "Weight" and "Carry"
• Aaron Harris - Drums
• Justin Hellman - Album photography
• Michael Gallagher - Guitar
• Bryant Clifford Meyer - Electronics, guitar, vocals on the first section of "Hym"
• Ayal Noar - Vocals on "The Beginning and the End" and "Weight"
• Aaron Turner - Vocals, guitar, album art and layout