Callisto

True Nature Unfolds

BY Greg PrattPublished May 1, 2005

Hailing from the fertile metal breeding ground of Finland, this debut release from Callisto was originally released on indie Fullstream Records last year, but long-running metal institution Earache saw enough promise in it to re-release it. A wise move it was, as this is one of the best things Earache has released in a long time. Sounding firmly like label-mates Cult of Luna, Callisto most definitely tap into the whole Isis/Neurosis school of metal, keeping the songs long, the tempos mid-paced, the dynamics huge and crushing, and the emotions pleasantly dramatic. And like recent releases from Isis and Cult of Luna, the sound works best when these bands lock into a groove and don’t let go, letting the repetition hypnotise for a bit with the distortion pedal nowhere to be seen, before letting the buildings come crashing down, the hearts break, and the revelations come flowing in on an unsuspecting listener. With a lot of guest appearances (female vocals, electronics, piano, etc.) there is enough variety here to keep things interesting throughout the album’s lengthy duration. With a sound that can really only be enjoyed sparingly, there’s not a lot of room in this world for many of these bands, but if we had to whittle it down to five, Callisto would be in there. Damn impressive for a debut, and the sound resonates wonderfully and powerfully, given the excellent-as-always production work of the late Mieszko Talarczyk of Nasum.
(Earache)

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