It seems that Germany is not far behind Norway when it comes to producing black metal. Enter ISOLATION, a newer band, originating from Lübeck, Germany in 2004. As a trio, ISOLATION seems to have their original style all nailed down on their self titled album. This is their first album, though they have 2 demos and an EP under their belts already. This album, in fact, is a compilation of the demos they previously released.

The music of ISOLATION is quite grim and dark sounding. If the beginning riff of Quiet These Colours Will Fade doesn’t real you into the darkened realm of ISOLATION, then you are doomed. Staying mid tempoed for most of the album, but with ever cascading and disharmonic guitar work. The strange vocals of Johannes Schmid take over, one minute he is screaming like a banshee and the next he is growling like death. At first you may or may not think of the vocals as annoying, but as the album goes on you realize that the vocals quite fit the music of ISOLATION extremely well. They are raw and full of emotion. I have to wonder if the man has ever blown his voice out doing these types of vocals. The guitar work on this album is quite gripping, making the music sound melancholic and crushing, yet giving it a lonely feel. This band is a bit similar to that of Anti and you can hear a bit of influence from Katatonia mixed in. The songs are lengthy, but they induce a reverie of solitude and tranquility. If it is aggression you are looking for, you will not find it with ISOLATION. If you are looking for depressive, almost doomish black metal, then the desolate sounds of ISOLATION will sooth your needs.