ENSLAVED have long since eschewed any semblance of recording a describable genre of Metal. Especially since their 2001 release “Monumension”, ENSLAVED have been putting out music which hasn't just blended different aspects of many Metal domains, but seem to create a truly unique sound all their own. The Norwegian band's new release “Isa” steps this progression up even more and takes the listener through an amazingly varied journey. Every stop on the trip is a rich and memorable one even after a single listen and more so upon many returns. Loosely, the album has as its main structure a cut up, staccato version of the Viking Black Metal ENSLAVED has often played with skill and palpable feeling. On “Isa” this structure is used to weave some strange but worthwhile ambient passages as well as simple bars of mid-tempo edgy Metal smoothly integrated.

“Isa”, somewhat like ENSLAVED's last album “Below The Lights”, has nuances of Operatic Metal creep in now and then. Not the overbearing type the likes of NIGHTWISH or THERION perform, but a subtle form that enhances the tone of many of the songs on “Isa”. It does seem weird, even to me, to have such music in Metal tunes. But ENSLAVED have developed a sound that doesn't make these variations appear out of place or incongruent the way many other Metal acts do with Keyboards or wind instruments. This is as much evident in the Vocals as the music, with Herbrand Larsen ranging from the high screech of Black Metal to somber and monotone clean, warm singing. The title track is a sublime example of ENSLAVED's creativity, starting out with a Black Metal groove (perhaps that's not possible) which makes way in the chorus for a synergy of compelling high pitches and lower sounds musically and vocally.

The standout amongst all the stellar tracks on “Isa” is the near 12 minute opus, “Reogenesis”. To begin to explain where this maze of a song goes would really be to denigrate its brilliance. I can only say that once you're done listening to it that you feel damn well fulfilled with the sensational amount of area ENSLAVED covers in one, fluid musical movement. Don't misunderstand, there is plenty of harsh and aggressive music on “Isa”. It is the unique flow of the harsher sounds with the melodic and slower parts that make “Isa” an album I consider a near masterpiece and obviously puts 2005 (release date in the US) on a solid start for fans of original Metal. (Online April 3, 2005)