“Scathing” is one of those hot keywords that many of us, myself absolutely included, like to use for particular bands throughout the realms of black metal to describe acts that are particularly fiery in their power and unrelenting in their sound with it being applied to bands that deliver nonstop assaults constantly. However, any band can be classified as such so long as their attitude and sound remains relatively the same, and a simple change in pace can make the sound far more interesting. It’s with Isolert that such an example has been brought to light gloriously without a shred of immense presence being lost.

While the whole of this record is a seven-track work that only just crawls over 40 minutes in length, it is a work that feels both the exact length it needs to be but also far too short. I say that because Isolert never lets any one of these tracks go on longer than what they need to be as they avoid the effect of the songs losing their impact with detrimental runtimes, and too short because “World In Ruins” is beyond exhilarating to listen to as it’s clear right from the very outset of the album that Isolert knew precisely what they were going for and how to achieve it with intoxication because just one of the core results to come from this gripping listen. With riffs abound and fiery spirit the likes of which no black metal fan could easily ignore, every aspect of “World In Ruins” is not a listen that is so easily denied as Isolert lets us know almost immediately as soon as the record starts marching forward as the awesome power in the work starts to bleed through without any iota of excellence or potency being lost in the performance. It makes for a performance the likes of which black metal has known for decades now, but it’s with a fresh perspective and blood to add to the mix that Isolert do an exemplary job at providing us with a carefully crafted mixed of speed and patience, passion and understanding, and power and restraint that all come together to allow “World In Ruins” to quickly become an effort that’s not just one to investigate but one to revere by many of us who are constantly entranced by quality black metal of which this effort clearly is.

Such works like this cannot go unheralded for even though they perform the sound in such a way that has been done innumerous times over the years, if it is put into the hands of any capable band then it can quickly be spun into gold the likes of which “World In Ruins” definitely borders on. Isolert’s sophomore full-length is much more than what I would expect out of any band just five years into their existence, and I truly do think that these guys could bust something grandiose out in due time should we just be patient enough.

“World In Ruins” releases on February 6th via Fucking Your Creation Records!

LISTEN to “World In Ruins” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Isolert on Facebook here.