Von Isley
Akron, Ohio, United States | SELF
Music
Press
"2011 has seen a few changes in the Von Isley camp. This Ohio born band remains committed to bringing their own sound to the masses as usual but with a new drummer and second guitarist added the new music promises to be more heavy. Let's back up some though and explore what makes Von Isley tick. The concept for Von Isley started in the late 90's when guitarist Joshua Isley went looking for musicians who shared his desire to create not just another band but rather a new style and sound. He wanted to put on a show for the audience. Unfortunately he had to abandon the idea as he could never find the right combination of musicians to see his concept take form. Fast forward to 2008 and Joshua and vocalist Jennifer Isley formed the band you now see before you. Despite numerous line-up changes Von Isley carried on and now the husband and wife team have finally found the perfect combination of musicians to see their vision come to life. This EP is actually from 2010 and while top notch in nature it supposedly is a shade or two less heavy than the band today. Whatever the case the five songs on display here are quite good. Von Isley's music is hard to nail down honestly. They pull in prog rock, goth, Euro-metal, doom, epic, 70's hard rock and traditional heavy metal and create a one of a kind sound. Lead by the stunning Jennifer Isley the music has an almost mythical vibe to it. The guitar arrangements are driven by technical heavy metal riffs while the rhythm section offers a solid foundation for the compelling storyline. With first listen the vocals though are the most striking feature of Von Isley. In a world where female heavy metal vocalists are few and far between anyway Jennifer stands head and shoulders above the competition. Her amazing voice actually has more in common with the lush sounds of 70's singers like Stevie Nicks than with your current run of the mill heavy metal front women. She gives the music this beautiful and commanding presence and draws the listener in with her intimate voice. Songs like "Dragonslayer" have many interesting layers to catch your attention and yet vocalist Jennifer Isley sings like she is spinning a web upon which each thread is another piece of the story. With only these five songs though sadly the whole affair seems far too short. You want to spend more time in Von Isley's world where the magic is on display in bright and vibrant colors. For Von Isley the journey has been long and full of many twists. Yet with each passing moment they improve and invite us, the listeners to join them for the next new adventure. I for one will gladly tag along and see what tomorrow brings for this dynamic band." - Heavy Metal Time Machine
Discography
"Von Isley EP" Recorded and released in late 2009. The disc contains 5 songs: "Eruption", "Dragonslayer", "Strike", "Lullaby" and "March of the Glorious Order"
"Dragonslayer" is in regular rotation on several internet stations.
Von Isley's second release will be a full-length album and is due out late 2011
Photos
Bio
The members of Von Isley could have never guessed we would be as well received as we have been! Our fan-base range in age from our youngest fans still in junior high and high school, to those in their 60's. Several venues in our region are in constant contact with us and asking if we have dates open. We are certain that our following and our professionalism have something to do with it. In late 2009 we played at an outdoor festival that had over 2,000 people in attendance. We were asked back and played it again in 2010. We have developed a very loyal following in a relatively small amount of time and look to expand that this year, after a short writing/recording hiatus, with more performances, an expanded stage show experience and a full-length album release!
The concept for Von Isley started several years ago when co-founder and guitarist Joshua Isley was in another band. Wanting to not just get up on a stage and play music for people, he was looking to put on a show for the audience. He was never able to find the right combination of musicians to see his concept take form so he shelved it. Forward to 2008; Joshua and vocalist Jennifer Isley wanted to form a band close to Joshua's original concept. They started looking for musicians and were lucky enough to find a few that fit what they were looking for and Von Isley was born in the winter of 2008.
When things started to take off, adversity shook the band up. For personal and work related reasons the band lost their original second guitarist, bassist and drummer, in that order and all within a year of each other. Current bassist J. was the first new member to step in and take over in early 2009. His experience and musicianship made an immediate impact. So much so that after just 1 week of practice together, Von Isley grabbed an honorable mention in a battle of the bands competition. Bill joined late in 2009 bringing a more percussion-based approach to the drums as well as his experience as a graphic designer/artist. Recently the band decided it was time at last to finally fill the spot voided by their second guitarist 2 years earlier and found Rob, a perfect complement to their musical style. Bill has since left the band and now Nic Barber is taking his place at the drums.
Von Isley's style is a bit hard to nail down. Everything from Prog Rock/Metal, Gothic Rock/Metal, Euro-Metal, Hard Rock and Classic Metal has been used to describe their sound. Whatever genre you put them in or whoever they remind you of, one thing is certain. . . VON ISLEY ROCKS!
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