Callisto

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.