Chimera by ISA
The sun sets. The day closes. In the absence of light, my demons stir and wake. So I run.
Enter my dream and join me on this journey. Release your conscience, let everything go. Let your mind be free to imagine, your heart free to race. Fall into sleep and let the world slowly drift away.
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METAL INJECTION:
"[ISA] meshes so many styles into one seamless flow; the overall quality is mesmerizing..."
http://www.metalinjection.net/av/thinking-man-prog/the-thinking-man-isa-is-among-the-classier-heathens
METAL TRENCHES | 8.7 out of 10
"The musicianship is on point, the approach is unique... [ISA] succeeds in creating 'music you could get lost in.' "
http://metaltrenches.com/reviews/chimera-1453
GAMES, BRRRAAAINS, & A HEAD-BANGING LIFE | 9 out of 10
"an assault of death metal that threatens to melt minds with intense riffing and an absurd level of technical mastery"
https://gbhbl.com/album-review-isa-chimera-self-released/
CADAVER GARDEN:
"...mesmerizing to say the least... This offering has a great ability to steal you away from the world for its run time and let you bask in all of its technical, progressive and atmospheric glory... a mind contorting effort that sticks with you once you are done listening only for you to come back to experience it again and again."
https://cadavergarden.com/2018/05/23/isa-chimera/
METALMANCE:
"...there's something unbelievable about Curhan's vocal talent... it's all over the place yet it's all contained. It's got to be heard to be believed"
https://metalmance.wordpress.com/2018/07/31/roundup-july-2018/
THE SOUND NOT THE WORD:
"This is psychedelic, progressive death metal of the most intricate kind, with a huge range of dynamics, moods, and atmospheres. It’s a challenging listen; but one that’s very rewarding"
https://thesoundnottheword.com/2018/05/24/review-isa-chimera/
THE KILLCHAIN:
"'Chimera’ is a sprawling, ambitious work of modern heaviness."
https://thoseonceloyal.wordpress.com/2018/06/12/review-isa-chimera/
TECHNICAL MUSIC REVIEW:
" If you like spontaneity and progressive music that’s not of the norm ISA is a project that is for you."
https://technicalmusicreview.com/2018/05/23/isa-chimera/
WONDERBOX METAL:
"Whether it’s being atmospheric or aggressive, or usually some combination of both simultaneously, Chimera is a dizzying, dazzling monster"
https://wonderboxmetal.com/2018/05/26/isa-chimera-review/
HEADBANGER REVIEWS:
"stupendous... an incredibly layered listening experience that is as much a marvel of the style as much it is an assault on the senses"
https://headbangerreviews.wordpress.com/2018/05/29/isa-chimera/
DEAD RHETORIC:
"A thought-provoking look at dreams that is ripe for dissection at the technical level but with a constant purpose and feeling behind it."
http://deadrhetoric.com/features/sifting-through-bandcamp-may-2018/
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In late 2011, I thought it would be cool to write a concept album that takes a trippy dream journey, both lyrically and musically. I wanted the music to be technical and thoughtful, full of absurd time signature patterns and intricate instrumentation, but still feel like the dream that it’s supposed to represent. I wanted the songs to flow right into each other, to be appreciated as a single piece of music. I wanted it to be the album I would choose to listen deeply to, more than anything else in the world. It took nearly seven years to fully realize this vision in between, you know, life as a non-musician, learning how to actually not suck at recording, and having a demanding job and stuff, but I can finally and proudly present a finished Chimera to the world.
True to my vision, Chimera is a densely layered journey through nine stages of a narrator’s night of dreams. Meticulously composed, simultaneously diverse and coherent, unpredictable yet familiar, and rich with mesmerizing psychedelic atmosphere, it will leave you far from where you began – if you choose to let yourself go along for the ride.
All the best, and thanks for listening!
-Dan (ISA)
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Other promo + such:
STAGE I - DESCENT featured on Super Metal World podcast:
https://www.supermetalworld.com/blog/post/indie-metal-radio-2
STAGE VII - LUST featured on Pure Grain Audio:
http://puregrainaudio.com/audio/isa-stage-vi-lust-free-song-download
STAGE IV - EVIL featured on She Likes It Heavy - listen at Radio Free Boston:
http://reject.libsyn.com/she-likes-it-heavy_show-266_052218
HEATHENS (Single) included in Heavy Blog is Heavy's annual free compilation, Heavy Comp volume 5:
http://www.heavyblogisheavy.com/2017/12/25/free-download-heavy-comp-heavy-volume-five/
HEATHENS (Single) included in Prog Sphere Promotions Progotronics 11 compilation:
https://prog-sphere.bandcamp.com/album/progotronics-11
Tracklist
| 1. | [dusk] | 1:16 |
| 2. | STAGE I - DESCENT | 3:24 |
| 3. | STAGE II - FEAR | 3:35 |
| 4. | STAGE III - HEATHENS | 5:04 |
| 5. | STAGE IV - EVIL | 5:09 |
| 6. | STAGE V - REFLECTION | 2:39 |
| 7. | STAGE VI - LUST | 3:42 |
| 8. | STAGE VII - FREEDOM | 5:13 |
| 9. | STAGE VIII - OCEAN | 4:57 |
| 10. | STAGE IX - RECURSION | 5:23 |
| 11. | [dawn] | 0:23 |
Credits
Chimera was composed, performed, recorded, and mixed entirely by Dan in his living room.
Album artwork by Dan, with special thanks to Pace, insta:@neerfherder, and Alejandro for layers and logos.
Thanks to Cass for her patient ear, and to Stompbox Sonic for enabling my swirly soundscapes.
stompboxsonic.com
