Isis @ Stereo, 25 Oct

"Sorry it's not heavy metal" breathes Mothlite's flickering frontman, a statement met with many a curious glare. Because the swathes of fans packed in the curious surrounds of Stereo tonight are not here for heavy metal - Isis are much more than that. The support is warmly received, but it's fair to say their electro-rock sound was merely an aperitif to the ears.

Isis are giants of the post-metal sound and their most recent full-length offering, Wavering Radiant, had slaked the thirst of fans for deep, rolling epic sounds set against the crushing backdrop of distortion. Tonight's set showcases these songs, from Hall of the Dead and Ghost Key onwards. A tousle-haired and wildly bearded Aaron Turner shows off his earth-forged fiery bellow, juxtoposed with the starry metaphysical elements of melody and lyricism.

It's this roar which energises the group, carrying them through the quieter sections of thoughtful delay and reverb when the momentum can seem to get stuck, despite Aaron Harris's sharp snaps of precise percussion. Older offerings like Wrists of Kings can crank up the volume even higher, with an appreciative crowd bowing heads uniformly in deference.

There's no jumping, no pitting about - this isn't heavy metal. It's a higher plain of heavy carried out with a stunning aplomb by these seasoned masters, now going for a decade of ear-crushing and pushing the boat out into murky progressive waters.