Panopticon is an intense yet ethereal metal masterpiece, showcasing the veteran Boston-based sextet Isis to be the foremost expansive explorers of the riff. From the sonic flurry of “So Did We” to the sprawling “Grinning Mouths” this album sets a precedent, displaying the band’s penchant to be hypnotic, hyper, and hostile, usually through the duration of one track. For a dramatic excursion bursting with rich musical textures that run the gamut from eerie to enlightening, look no further than this subtle collection of brilliance.