ISAURIAN unveil a wide variety of sonic shapes on their new record “Dead Flower Of Youth”

Almost one year since the release of their impressive debut EP “All The Darkness Looks Alive” [mastered by James Plotkin (Botch, Isis, etc.), co-produced/mixed by Rhys Fulber (Fear Factory, Front Line Assembly, etc) and featuring a remix by the great Justin K. Broadrick (Jesu, Godflesh, etc.)], Brazilian exploratory progressive rock/metal act ISAURIAN have teamed up with Matt Bayles (Isis, Caspian, Mastodon) to release their new EP called “Dead Flower Of Youth”! Sonically warm, imaginative, and very resourceful, the record marks another high point for ISAURIAN and we’re thrilled to give you its first listen below, along with the band’s first hand commentary and track-by-track rundown!

Back in December 2017, when I first mentioned ISAURIAN in our now-defunct “In Shorts” column, I stated that “the band seems to be one of the most overlooked pack of gifted, well experienced musician who created a short collection of great, atmospheric melodies that burrow deep into the mind and deepen that magical feel of the first ‘Mer De Noms’ listen almost 18 years ago.” Well, their new offering accomplishes that feeling and finds a balance between experiemental & introverted, and melodic & accessible. “Dead Flower Of Youth” is a wonder of an EP of many layers and contrasts to get caught up and lost in. It foreshadows nothing but an epic full length, which I’d be truly thankful for!

Here’s what the band had to say about the new offering:

Both songs are about youth. They are different perspectives on youth and the passage of time.

Musically, both songs are similar in structure yet completely different. Even with only two songs, we wanted a sense of unity and coherence in the EP. Also, we feel that this shoegazier, more melodic, more layered type of sound is closer to our true identity. When comparing to our first EP, which was colder, more industrial sounding and more riff-oriented, this is definitely a much warmer, roomier record. Matt Bayles was essential in helping us get to that sound. Even from afar, he participated in technical decisions, helped us choose the studios. The remote production situation is never ideal, but his work was as essential in pre-production and production stages as it was in the mixing stage.

I think this is a proper bridge to our next recording, which will definitely be a full-length album. I feel a band only shows its true strengths with a full album. Our first EP (All the Darkness Looks Alive) was sort of a cathartic experience, something i needed to do. And we did it quickly. Even though we started recording these two songs only 6 months after we released our debut EP, these songs were actually developed much slower and more calmly. We are really proud of this little EP. It was awesome to work with Matt Bayles, it was cool to flex different muscles than the usual metal muscles.

Produced by Matt Bayles and Jorge Rabelo, tracked at Blue Records by Guilherme Negrão and Pedro Selva, and at Dissenso Studio by Octávio ‘Tofu’ Valeschi with Muriel Curi, mixed by Matt Bayles at Red Room, Seattle, with additional production by Guilherme Negrão, and mastered by Ed Brooks at Resonant Mastering, the record is available directly through the band’s Bandcamp. All music and lyrics written by Jorge Rabelo. Additional keyboards by Jorge Rabelo and Guilherme Negrão. ISAURIAN is: Jorge Rabelo – Vocals & guitars, Guilherme Tanner – Drums, Pedro Gabriel – Keys, Vicente Jr. – Bass. Cover art by Jorge Rabelo.

The Callow

This one is sort of about the height of youth. The recklessness, the absence of worries. It’s not about memories or facts of teen years, it is about the sensations, the feelings, the desires. When you get older you gradually start feeling that young kids are fucking assholes. That is not necessarily untrue. But that is probably what older people thought of us when we were young, and certainly that “we don’t care” attitude is what makes for an unforgettable youth. Time really runs by us.

This is probably the least straight-up metal, the least riff-oriented song i’ve ever written. But it also has the doomiest, gloomiest passage on the record. You’ll know what i am talking about.

Lyrics:

We come alive tonight
We’re so far from god
Let’s face the cold outside
With flames of desire

Feeling the wind for a while
We won’t move
Sinking in deep until the sky is our floor

Under the sea of sound and blood
Illusion is your silence
Under the skin of youth
Runs excess of true life

Tis the season of doubt
You will take the wrong path
And you’ll know there is no turning back
Then you’ll live with the scars
Of a time in disquieting lust and a taste for the wild

Feeling the wind for a while
We won’t move
Careless defiance of time
Still soon
Feeling the wind for a while
We won’t move
Sinking in deep until the sky is our floor

Under the sea of sound and blood
Illusion is your silence
Under the skin of youth
Runs excess of true life

The Elder

This is about that moment in time that you realize you are not young anymore. At least not that young. And you start feeling nostalgic about even the most insignificant experiences of youth. You start thinking about fleeting friendships, about places that don’t exist anymore. And you also start reevaluating decisions and paths taken. Not necessarily in a sad, pessimistic way. Just in that “Hey, if i did this instead of that, maybe i would be there instead of here” kind of way. I am pretty sure this is a relatable topic to pretty much every adult human being in the world.

It has some sweet, melancholic melodies, but also some oomph in the chorus. That main keyboard part is actually about 2 years old. It was a bridge part in a song i wrote for my former band, Optical Faze. I made some changes and made it sort of the guideline to the whole song.

This one is more of a rollercoaster ride than The Callow. There’s the dreamiest part ever on all of our songs, but a really hard hitting, huge sounding chorus.

Lyrics:

A plight
From a failed decision
The scent
Of a summer gone by

The cracks
On a decades old table
The eyes
Make the face so worn out

Bittersweet denial
Senselesness of wisdom
Acrimonious heart
Make me hope

I dreamed of old friends again

I was surrounded by saints

Hide from your past
Head down in shame
Gaze long at your soul

Every breath counts
On the way to
The last overfall

Bittersweet denial
Senselesness of wisdom
Acrimonious heart
Make me hope

Old man, new life
Without a fight

Bittersweet denial

Senselesness of wisdom

Acrimonious heart

Bring me real belief

I can’t see the light

I’ll be born again

The Dead Flower of Youth poster by Julia Rennhard