Is Isa a good place to start with Enslaved?

Yes, Isa is recommended as a starting point for new Enslaved listeners. A seamless blend of atmospheric black metal and progressive elements, weaving intricate melodies through dark, immersive soundscapes. Released in 2004, Isa marked Enslaved's seventh studio album and showcased their evolution into a more progressive sound after the experimental dynamics of their previous album, Below the Lights. By this point, they had already established themselves as pioneers in the Norwegian black metal scene, integrating complex compositions and thematic depth into their music.

Isa works well if you're into dynamic emotional journeys, long immersive listening sessions and gradual builds and payoffs.

How many songs are on Isa?

Isa has 10 tracks, running approximately 51 minutes.

Isa

Enslaved · 2004

51 min · 10 tracks · black metal

A seamless blend of atmospheric black metal and progressive elements, weaving intricate melodies through dark, immersive soundscapes.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Lunar Force Start here — This track exemplifies the band's ability to balance aggression with melodic intricacy, showcasing their progressive tendencies while maintaining black metal roots.
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Isa — The title track encapsulates the album's thematic exploration of cycles and nature, featuring haunting melodies that linger long after listening.
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Neogenesis — As the longest track on the album, it unfolds like an epic journey, blending tempo shifts and atmospheric depth that highlights the band's sonic evolution.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

66 /100

Alpine

Higher than 89% of albums we've rated

The album showcases intricate compositions and a strong blend of genres, marking a significant evolution for the band.

What we noticed

The album opens with an atmospheric intro that sets a dark tone, leading into tracks that blend aggressive riffs with melodic passages.
Several tracks feature shifts in tempo and dynamics, alternating between intense black metal sections and more progressive, melodic interludes.
The final track includes an excerpt from the outro that creates a sense of closure, while the penultimate track serves as an instrumental piece that contrasts with the vocal-heavy songs.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 7/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

dynamic emotional journeys
long immersive listening sessions
gradual builds and payoffs
atmospheric background focus

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Critical Peak — Marked a significant evolution in sound and received critical acclaim for its ambition.
Themes: Norse mythology· time and nature
Moods: Intense· Dark
Career context: Released in 2004, Isa marked Enslaved's seventh studio album and showcased their evolution into a more progressive sound after the experimental dynamics of their previous album, Below the Lights. By this point, they had already established themselves as pioneers in the Norwegian black metal scene, integrating complex compositions and thematic depth into their music.
Stylistic neighbors: Opeth· Agalloch· Ne Obliviscaris

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Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

Ascension

The moment shifts from introspective verses to a powerful chorus that ascends both musically and thematically, symbolizing growth and transformation.

This shift captures a contrast between personal struggle and eventual liberation, enhancing the emotional weight of the song.