Before attaining Celestial heights, ISIS plumbed the deepest and densest of musical depths with The Red Sea. Punishing and unrelenting, The Red Sea marked a new chapter in ISIS' mosquito-driven, conceptual universe. Incorporating nods to both vintage Earth and the Melvins, it was the two new "song" offerings that marked ISIS' growth beyond that of mere comparisons and demonstrated the grandeur of what was to follow. "The Minus Times" and "Red Sea" were equally as vicious, deliberate and punishing as anything on ISIS' debut EP, Mosquito Control, yet were each more involved, complex and buffeting, but without yielding ISIS' hypnotic nature. In addition to the striking, minimalist artwork (as always, by brainchild Aaron Turner), the B-side of the 12” features ISIS' 1998, four-song demo. Showing a glimpse of ISIS in their formative stages, these four songs are harmful metallic shards driven by their influences (Neurosis, Godflesh, etc.), yet demonstrate ISIS' proficiency and potential. However, while the sonic density and darkness of The Red Sea enveloped unwary listeners, fleeting moments of melody and redemption shone like glimmering shards of hope. Easily the most claustrophobic and opaque ISIS release to date, The Red Sea stands as both a testament to Isis's past and their future.

Track Listing:

1. Charmicarmicarmicat Shines to Earth
   
2. The Minus Times
   
3. Red Sea
   
4. Smiles and Handshakes *
   
5. Catalyst *
   
6. Ochre *
   
7. Lines Across Eyes *

*1998 Demo

1st Press:
700 180 Gram
450 Opaque Red
450 Metallic Grey
450 Clear
450 Opaque Red/Metallic Grey

2nd Press:
364 Half Black/Half Gold w/ Black Splatter
363 Purple
363 Green

3rd Press:
80 Translucent Blue/Translucent Green Splatter
86 White/Black/Translucent Red Splatter
370 Half Black/Half Translucent Red
370 Gold/Translucent Red/Black Tri-Color
370 Translucent Blue/Black Color In Color