featured from 7 october 2011

Adelaide metal outfit, ISAW is continuing its rise to notoriety with the band announcing it will release its much anticipated album, THE IDENTITY on Friday the 7th of October. The band has also announced it will launch the new album at the Cavern Bar (North Tce, Adelaide) on Friday the 11th of November...11/11/11!

ISAW’s style is defined by their passion for numerous genres of metal, creating a canvas where a veritable variety of ideas can coexist. They aspire to create music that pushes their individual creative and physical boundaries while maintaining a delicate balance of musicality and song craftsmanship.

Each band member brings an independent background in taste and experience varying from rock, metal core, extreme metal, thrash, and death metal. Their most significant influences (in no particular order) include Machine Head, Mnemic, Pantera, Strapping Young Lad, Metallica, Mudvayne, Chimaira, Meshuggah, Scarve, Parkway Drive, & Killswitch Engage.

Over the last two years ISAW have been nominated in the top 5 artists in the country for the metal/hardcore category at the MusicOz Awards, won Triple J’s Unearthed competition, and most notably opened the metal stage at Soundwave 2010 before thousands of fans, supporting the likes of Faith No More, Meshuggah, Trivium, Anthrax, and Whitechapel to name a mere few.

2011 has seen ISAW turn its attention towards a debut full length release after being hounded by fans for a studio recording. ISAW drummer and band spokesperson, Kim Fiddaman said the new album was a culmination of the highs and lows the band had experienced over the past few years.

 “It has really been a rollercoaster ride for the band since its inception in 2007. We have been doing the local rounds for the past few years and we have also had a line-up change....while this has all been challenging we are all in a really good headspace currently,” Fiddaman said.

THE IDENTITY was six months in the making that saw the band record the album at Deep Blue Studios in Adelaide and then mixed and mastered at Sing Sing South Studios in Melbourne. ARIA Award nominated producer, Forrest Savell was engaged for the production of the album.

“We are stoked with the new album and it was a real privilege to work with Forrester Savell as the producer. We loved the work he did with ‘Karnivool’ and ‘Dead Letter Circus’ and he really brought the sound of the band to life", says Fiddaman.

Forrester Savell had the following to say of the band:

“ISAW grabbed my attention from the moment they sent through their rough mixes. Cleverly thought out tunes from dedicated musicians are in abundance on this record. Their blend of world-class metal with such a killer vocalist puts them in a league of their own.” Savell said.

Fans of the band will be able to sample a taste of the new album by downloading the first single, 'Catch 22' from the ISAW website.

ISAW was nominated in the top five artists in the country for the metal hardcore category at the MusicOz Awards and also won Triple J’s unearthed competition in 2010. The band's biggest highlight to date is opening the Metal Stage at Soundwave 2010 for the likes of Faith No More, Meshuggah, Trivium and Anthrax.

ISAW is made up of the following members: Matt Kavanagh – Vocals, Steven Dennis – Guitar, Leigh Vergou – Guitar, Seb Bohm – Bass, Kim Fiddaman – Drums.

For more information on ISAW and the upcoming album launch on 11 November, please visit the  official website.

For your chance to win a copy of ISAW's LP, visit the Music SA Contest Corner.