Melvins / Isis

The Melvins and Isis released a split EP on Hydra Head Records in 2010, with each band contributing two tracks. Isis' "Way Through Woven Branches" had previously only been available as a bonus track on the Japanese edition of their last full-length, Wavering Radiant, whilst "Pliable Foe" was exclusive to this release.[1] Both tracks were recorded during the Wavering Radiant sessions.[1] Meanwhile, the Melvins tracks are reworked from their release The Bride Screamed Murder, described as displaying the "dadaist/trickster tendencies of the band which has frustrated and delighted fans in equal measure since (very nearly) the beginning of their existence".[1] The album was released July 13, 2010 on CD format,[2][3] with vinyl copies available a week earlier from Vacation Vinyl in Los Angeles.[4]

Melvins / Isis
EP by
Melvins and Isis
ReleasedJuly 13, 2010
GenreSludge metal, alternative metal, post-metal, doom metal
LabelHydra Head Records (12")
(HH666-214)
Isis chronology
Wavering Radiant
(2009)		 Melvins / Isis
(2010)		 Temporal
(2012)
Melvins chronology
The Bride Screamed Murder
(2010)		 Melvins / Isis
(2010)		 Sugar Daddy Live
(2011)
Reverse side
The reverse side, titling the release Isis / Melvins

Pitchfork's Jess Harvell was unimpressed by Isis′ contribution to the split, stating that “Isis seem to be building to something on these songs, but the climaxes are so restrained you can almost miss them if you're not paying close enough attention [...] I kept hoping Isis would finally let loose, offer a little chaos. After all, the best part of Mogwai's "Like Herod" isn't the clockwork precision; it's the freak out.”[5] As for the Melvins side, she deemed it “more of the same, but here I don't mean that in a disparaging way at all”, and found that “the grooves, especially on "I'll Finish You Off", have the same punchy dynamics the Isis tunes lack.”[5]

Isis frontman and owner of Hydra Head Records, Aaron Turner, documented the design process of the album art on his personal blog.[4][6][7][8]

It was released after Isis had announced their imminent dissolution, and currently stands as their last record. However, two posthumous compilations are lined up for Isis,[9] which would make this their third-final output. Melvins subsequently supported Isis for several dates on their farewell tour.[3]

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Decibel8/10[10]
Pitchfork6.0/10[5]

Track listing
Side A
No.TitleArtistLength
1."Pig House (Alt. Version)"Melvins5:53
2."I'll Finish You Off (Alt. Version)"Melvins4:44
Side B
No.TitleArtistLength
1."Way Through Woven Branches"Isis6:27
2."The Pliable Foe"Isis7:43

References
  1. "Isis/Melvins & Torche/Boris Split Vinyl Releases Available From Hydra Head On 7/14!!". Hydra Head Records. May 26, 2010. Retrieved February 19, 2011.
  2. Breihan, Tom (June 18, 2010). "News in Brief: Melvins/Isis, Fol Chen, the Chap, 80/35 Festival". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved February 19, 2011.
  3. "Isis / Melvins split on the way". Punknews. May 27, 2010. Retrieved February 19, 2011.
  4. Turner, Aaron (July 5, 2010). "isis/melvins split 12" update". Feral Pig. Retrieved April 10, 2011.
  5. Harvell, Jess (August 17, 2010). "Melvins / Isis". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved April 10, 2011.
  6. Turner, Aaron (April 5, 2010). "new drawings 04/2010". Feral Pig. Retrieved April 10, 2011.
  7. Turner, Aaron (April 26, 2010). "MELVINS/ISIS 12" art". Feral Pig. Retrieved April 10, 2011.
  8. Turner, Aaron (June 10, 2010). "torche/boris test prints, isis/melvins split, etc". Feral Pig. Retrieved April 10, 2011.
  9. Bennet, J (September 2010). "Aaron Turner". Decibel (71): 53–4.
  10. Burton, Brent (November 2010). "Last Chance to Trance". Decibel (73): 100.
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