ISLASORNA are a Scottish five piece outfit from Edinburgh. The band was founded on January 2014, replaced one band member (guitarist Callum "Cag" Burns who left the band for college) for guitarist Jamie McArthur on January 2015 and six months after are now releasing their debut e.p., "E.D.E.N.". The band defines itself as a Metal/Djent band. Some reviewers though have called ISLASORNA an Experimental Metal band, and if I may add my own point of view I would say- throw in the word "Brutal" as well. Whatever it is you want to call them, two things are for sure: It's heavy, and It's good.

"E.D.E.N." is big sounding, aggressive, and relatively accomplished and polished for a debut. On its Facebook page, ISLASORNA lists influences such as MESHUGGAH and PERIPHERY and indeed the music lives up to that description. The album's atmosphere is generally dark and even stressful at times. The two opening songs "Obliteration" and "Achluophobia" have a raw, doomy energy. The heavy guitar sound integrates with the growling/ screaming vocals. I should mention that as opposed to many singers in the genre, Justin Dilworth diction is very good. For me it was a nice change to for once actually understand what the singer of a metal band is singing. The songs "Judas" and "4-2-8" serve as an opportunity for guitar due Dean Watson & Jamie McArthur to show off a bit of their solo and rhythm chops. Justin Dilworth's vocals are almost always complimenting to the songs. At a few points however his toggling between clean and growling sounds is a bit indecisive. Sometime he just sounds as if he's running out of breath.

In short, "E.D.E.N" is a very promising e.p. from five very talented musicians. Not for the faint of heart.