Isis Live : Middle East, Cambridge MA March 17, 2007

Isis
w/Jesu and Zozobra
Middle East Nightclub, Cambridge, MA
Saturday, March 17, 2007

It waits basically the whole of winter to snow and it finally does so the night before I need to head in to the city and park. Sorry to the folks that went to see Isis the night before in all that mess. I called the club early in the afternoon and got the set times. **groan** Isis due on stage at 11:45pm. Oh well, ticket paid for gotta make the effort.

I arrived late (partially because i wanted to the other part due to the parking) and I missed all of Zozobra. From what I have been able to gather it has a member (or a few) from another Boston band, Cave In.


Picking a 'good spot' I settled in for Jesu. They had a rough run of luck and were unable to join the band at the right time for the tour due to visa issues. They finally were able to join the tour a night or two early (they were not on the bill w/Isis on Friday). The band set up their gear, then left the stage to do the whole "rock star" walk on.

Jesu (pronounced "yayzu") is the brain child of Justin Broadrick who was once in the band Godflesh the band unloaded a wonderfully "sonic" show. There were points where it was just flat out too loud but overall the audience was thrilled and screamed right along at the song intros and conclusions. The band did a pretty short set (they could be able to pull from 2 full lengths and eps) but still it was just right.

The set for Jesu
We All Faulter
Silver
Conqueror
Friends Are Evil
Transfigure

After about a 30 minute set change Isis took the stage. Amps touching the ceiling the band unloaded its post metal slug fest to the sold out crowd. The band, which formed in 1997 in Boston has since moved to LA. The band has many friends and family at the show and the little stage banter that comes from them is to thank them for their support.

The setlist was posted to a message board and the poster noted it may be a tad out of order:
Wrists of kings
Not in Rivers, But in Drops
False Light
Dulcinea
In fiction
1000 Shards
Holy Tears
(encore)
Celestial

Once I get my recording worked out I'll be able to confirm, or make edits.

Overall Isis offers heavy music for the thinking man. Most of the lyrics are "screamed" but it fits the genre. Most of the tracks run well over 6 minutes and the lyrics are very brief so you are left with the onslaught of guitar, bass, drums and keyboards.

Not sure how much longer the Middle East will be able to hold these juggernauts.
Pictures from the show by a profressional..here