Isole
The Calm Hunter
Cyclone Empire
2014
It’s already been one decade since Isole appeared on the doom metal scene. And during those 10 years they managed to gain the respect of the press and fans and release 6 full-lengths albums, if we also count the new one “The Calm Hunter”. Not bad at all… on the contrary!
Like every new release from Isole, “The Calm Hunter” also needs repeated listens without any background hassles. The band’s epic, doom metal with lots of atmospheric elements and a few “funeral” touches here and there is as entrancing and enjoyable as always. There are also two new members on the band’s camp, the bassist Jimmy Mattsson (Loch Vostok, ex-Planet Rain) and the drummer Victor Parri (Kraanium, Eosphorus, Desolator, etc.) who replaced Jonas, after the last one left the band about a month ago – he is the one who plays on the album though. The album was recorded and mixed by Jonas Lindström (Isole, Ereb Altor, Planet Rain, In My Embrace etc.) at Studio Apocalypse, and mastered by Jens Bogren (Katatonia, Opeth, Kreator, Amon Amarth, Paradise Lost etc.) at Fascination Street Studios. The stunning cover artwork has been designed by the renowned Travis Smith (Death, Anathema, Katatonia, Opeth, Iced Earth, Amorphis, Overkill etc.). Needless to say that’s great in every part!
Assuredly, the band’s fans will fancy the new tracks and the overall album atmosphere. It’s been 3 years since their previous album, “Born from Shadows” and their loyal followers have been longing for this album for quite some time now. Also the band’s new album is under Cyclone Empire, so it kinda marks a “new era” for both the band and the label in a way. I may not be a “doomster” but I had a fine (and melancholic too!) time listening to Isole’s new album, so I guess those who are into this kind of music will revel in “The Calm Hunter”. Perhaps the “key” will be to listen to every track for as long as you can – before you proceed to the others…
Like every new release from Isole, “The Calm Hunter” also needs repeated listens without any background hassles. The band’s epic, doom metal with lots of atmospheric elements and a few “funeral” touches here and there is as entrancing and enjoyable as always. There are also two new members on the band’s camp, the bassist Jimmy Mattsson (Loch Vostok, ex-Planet Rain) and the drummer Victor Parri (Kraanium, Eosphorus, Desolator, etc.) who replaced Jonas, after the last one left the band about a month ago – he is the one who plays on the album though. The album was recorded and mixed by Jonas Lindström (Isole, Ereb Altor, Planet Rain, In My Embrace etc.) at Studio Apocalypse, and mastered by Jens Bogren (Katatonia, Opeth, Kreator, Amon Amarth, Paradise Lost etc.) at Fascination Street Studios. The stunning cover artwork has been designed by the renowned Travis Smith (Death, Anathema, Katatonia, Opeth, Iced Earth, Amorphis, Overkill etc.). Needless to say that’s great in every part!
Assuredly, the band’s fans will fancy the new tracks and the overall album atmosphere. It’s been 3 years since their previous album, “Born from Shadows” and their loyal followers have been longing for this album for quite some time now. Also the band’s new album is under Cyclone Empire, so it kinda marks a “new era” for both the band and the label in a way. I may not be a “doomster” but I had a fine (and melancholic too!) time listening to Isole’s new album, so I guess those who are into this kind of music will revel in “The Calm Hunter”. Perhaps the “key” will be to listen to every track for as long as you can – before you proceed to the others…