September 2023 - Feature Release - The Fallen Edition

So just like that we find that a new month is upon us which of course means that we’ll be nominating a brand new monthly feature release for each clan. This essentially means that we’re asking you to rate, review & discuss our chosen features for no other reason than because we enjoy the process & banter. We’re really looking forward to hearing your thoughts on our chosen releases so don’t be shy.

This month’s feature release for The Fallen has been nominated by myself. It's the ridiculously underrated 1998 debut "The Mosquito Control E.P." from Boston sludge metallers Isis. You shouldn't go into this one expecting another highly atmospheric post-metal excursion like "Panopticon" or "Oceanic" because what you're gonna receive is four examples of sludge at its most savage & abrasive for what has gone on to become one of my all-time favourite metal releases from any genre. You'll honestly thank me afterwards.

https://metal.academy/releases/287

Although I don't find this EP to be awesome as you do, Daniel, I'll still thank you for this. Here's my review summary:

The Mosquito Control has been made great by its raw heaviness. This is more chaotic than Isis' more evolved works. If the earliest Isis album you have is Oceanic and you want something from them that's deadlier and heavier, just start with Celestial then head down to their EPs leading up to their first, this one! Indeed there are 4 dark pieces of savage sludge, filled with heavy riff chaos with enraged vocals from the mosquito king (Aaron Turner). However, if you end up getting the Japanese edition, consider yourself lucky, as you can hear their incredible cover of the industrial sludge classic title track of Godflesh's Streetcleaner. If you're a new Isis fan, even though this is their very first release, this is not the right place to start. You might get too attached to the heaviness of their EPs and not enjoy their full-length masterpieces. Of course, fans of Isis' full albums will see the grand difference. Though not the best start, this is where Isis' true innovation had just begun....

4/5

The debut EP from Isis shows a remarkable level of maturity. The build to opening track Poison Eggs sounds like it is written by a band some ten years into their existence, not just twelve months as was the case with the band at the time. This release shows just why Isis grew into staples of the sludge metal world. Whilst there are spades of aggression and harshness for the listener to feast upon, there is a restraint to elements of the violence also. Underlined by the tightness of the performances, as a whole The Mosquito Control is a real force to be reckoned with.

At not even a full half hour, there still feels a lot of activity to process on this EP. Tracks shift and lurch beneath the monumental weight of the noise created by the fusion of drums, guitars, bass and vocals. Yet no track ever descends into full-blown chaos, even on the manic Life Under the Swatter there is a more subtle passage that tempers the frantic pace and tempo really well, giving the listener a slight breather before launching them straight back into the pulsating fury of the track again. The standout performance on the EP is without doubt Aaron Turner's vocals. Rabid to the point of leaving him breathless, they fit so well with the instrumentation it is literally a marriage made in heaven. That is not say that the rest of the group take a back seat. The stabbing groove of the riff that starts Hive Destruction proper is infectious as fuck and I find myself clamouring for its urgent cuts as the slower, doomier riffs take precedent. Likewise, the motoring bass of Jeff Caxide drives this sense of urgency and control throughout the whole EP, whilst Aaron Harris puts an amazing shift in on the drums.

The heaviness on display throughout The Mosquito Control is relentless. Listen to any modern sludge act like Primitive Man and you will here the poisonous fury of Relocation Swarm as cornerstones of most of what they do. This is possibly one the heaviest releases I have heard in my life and the production and mix job leaves it all sounding so fresh and organic. This is oppressive music that is ironically very freeing an experience to listen to. You absolutely should give this the attention it commands. There are no short measures of focus allowed when listening to The Mosquito Control, close all the blinds/curtains, turn all non-essential devices off and let the music take you.

4.5/5