Red Sea (album)

Infobox Album | Name = The Red Sea
Type = EP
Artist = Isis

---

Released = 1999
Recorded = 1999
Genre = Doom
Experimental
Metal

Length = 36:08
Label = Second Nature Recordings
Producer = Isis, Kurt Ballou and Mike Hill
Reviews =*Allmusic Rating|3|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:0pfwxqukldfe link]
*Satan Stole My Teddybear [http://www.ssmt-reviews.com/db/searchrev.php?artistID=595&showReview=true#R2876 link]
Last album = "Mosquito Control"
(1998)
This album = "The Red Sea"
(1999)
Next album = "Sawblade"
(1999) |

An expansion of the sound pioneered on the "Mosquito Control" EP, the "Red Sea" EP offers a slight evolution toward the direction Isis would begin to take with their first full length, "Celestial". The three songs which make up the original EP (tracks 1-3) are tied together with spoken word samples from the short-lived television series "Hotel Room" (specifically, the third episode, entitled "Blackout". [http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/2093/hotel3.html] The song "Ochre" contains a sample from the film "Dead Man" [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112817/] by Jim Jarmusch, and is a reading of a portion of William Blake's poem "Auguries of Innocence".

This is the only release with Jay Randall (Agoraphobic Nosebleed) on electronics and backing vocals, as he would leave the band after its release. His current and permanent replacement is Bryant Clifford Meyer.

The "Red Sea" also introduces two key themes in Isis' albums that would be expanded upon later: water ("Oceanic") and the central female character ("Celestial"'s "tower").

"Charmicarmicarmicat" is be a reference to the Melvins song "Charmicarmicat" (from the 1991 EP "Eggnog"), with an extra "carmi" added to poke fun at the general ridiculousness of the Melvins' sense of humor. This is seemingly confirmed in the liner notes, which thank "Earth, Bastard Noise and The Melvins for inspiration for track one."

Tracks 4-7 make up the initial cassette demo tape sent around to record companies as Isis were trying to get signed. Electronics are provided by former member Chris Mereschuk here. The album was also first released on 8" vinyl.

Track listing

All songs written by Isis, except "Hand of Doom", a cover of a Black Sabbath track from 1970's "Paranoid", written by Tony Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne, Bill Ward, and Geezer Butler.

# "Charmicarmicarmicat Shines to Earth" – 2:23
# "The Minus Times" – 5:26
# "Red Sea" – 7:20
# "Smiles and Handshakes" – 6:02
# "Catalyst" – 4:26
# "Ochre" – 4:41
# "Lines Across Eyes" – 5:47
# "Hand of Doom" – 8:36 (only on "Mosquito Control" / "Red Sea" Japanese edition)

Personnel

* Kurt Ballou – audio recording and production (tracks 1–3)
* Mike Hill – Audio recording and production (tracks 4–7)
* Dave Merullo – mastering
* Jeff Caxide – bass guitar
* Aaron Harris – drums
* Jay Randall – electronics and vocals (tracks 1–3)
* Chris Mereschuk – electronics (tracks 4–7)
* Aaron Turner – guitar, vocals, art and graphic construction
* G. Mortillaro – photography
* J. Hellmann – photography

References