Sweet Black Magic

Isis’ brand of heavy hypnotic harmonics delve into the divine

By Jasen T. Davis

Isis possesses a hypnotic power reminiscent of bands like Godflesh, King Crimson and Sword, infused by a streak of pure black metal. With songs about magic, death and spiritual awakening, the group created a wealth of material over the length of its 13-year existence to enthrall any serious fan of the genre.

While the individual band members have all journeyed forward to brilliant careers of their own, Isis still endures. Listeners are sure to enjoy a series of five live albums beginning with Isis Live I, which was just released last month.

Bryant Clifford Meyer, composer, keyboardist and vocalist for the band, was gracious enough to speak to CULTURE about creating music in the name of a goddess.

Your music is very spiritual. The titles and lyrics of your songs speak of transcendence, illumination and the transformation of the soul. Tell us more about that.

I think there was always an idea to have more transcendental imagery in our lyrics. We wanted them to have more of a dreamy, supernatural feeling to it, which just fits the music better.

Do you feel that live albums have a different flavor than albums created in the studio?

Absolutely. I’ve always felt that there are two different types of music. In the studio, you try to make it as good as you can. But going to a show is always different. There’s the live energy, the audience, the adrenaline. A live recording can’t capture all of that, but it can capture the mood. The songs won’t be perfect because it’s live, but it’s worth checking out.

Let’s talk about Isis I. It was recorded at The Fillmore in San Francisco. Why did you choose to record at The Fillmore?

We were on tour with Mogwai at the time, and it was one of those things where we had the opportunity to tape the show, and it turned out to be pretty good. After we heard the recording, we thought it was just perfect for fans. We felt that releasing live albums was much more affordable, too.

We played a couple places in San Francisco. We’ve never had a bad show there. But the Fillmore has such a classic energy, such a rock and roll history. The city of San Francisco really lends itself to the vibe, too.

With songs about spiritual enlightenment, would you like to share some of your opinions about cannabis?

Well, first of all, to each their own. It’s been a part of the band’s musical upbringing in one capacity or another. We’re all older now, so we can’t be high all the time. But for the creative process every now and then it’s fine. At least in California it’s easier to partake in. It’s ridiculous that it’s still outlawed.

What’s that like compared to Boston?

The weed scene in Boston is similar to California’s. It’s kind of decriminalized there, too. In California there are people that are just way more into it, sure, but there’s always weed going around in the Boston music scene.

It’s ridiculous that you can buy beer and cigarettes, but you can’t buy weed. If you want to smoke weed for having fun or to relieve anxiety, that should be up to you.

isistheband.com.

OH GOD(DESS)

For you myth-creants, Isis was the ancient Egyptian goddess that was considered the matron of nature and magic. She is the goddess of motherhood, magic and fertility. In art, she is typically pictured as a woman wearing a long sheath dress and wearing a hieroglyphic sign for a throne atop her head. The star Sirius is associated with Isis, too.