Saby Reyes-Kulkami on Isis

"Wavering Radiant … contains a thematic thread, although bandleader and Hydra Head Records founder Aaron Turner is refusing to divulge what it is. In fact, he won't even discuss the lyrics or even shed light on what inspired the title. … By blending elements of prog, ambient, drone and hardcore with heavy guitars and death metal–style growling vocals, Isis forges a distinct post-metal alloy. … Isis brings a more refined palette to the table and suggests that loud and quiet and soft and heavy actually exist on a continuum, with infinite points between them, as opposed to mutually exclusive poles. Additionally, the band focuses on interplay more than ever before, for what Turner describes as an 'orchestral' kind of density, rather than the more typical, stacked-guitars brand of thickness it usually employed in the past. … Meanwhile, fans that insist on having the band's help in 'getting' the album need not worry. Turner's vocals are higher in the mix, and [guitarist Michael] Gallagher says the band eventually plans to disclose the lyrics. 'If you're that interested that you want to chase after it,' he says,' it's more important to us that you come to your own deductions'" ("Noise's New Direction," New York Press, 5/27/09, p. 58).