The Red Sea is an EP by Isis. An expansion of the sound pioneered on their previous release Mosquito Control, this EP offers a slight evolution toward the direction Isis would begin to take with their first full length, Celestial. The three songs which make up the original EP (tracks 1–3) are tied together with spoken word samples from the short-lived television series Hotel Room (specifically, the third episode, entitled "Blackout"). The song "Ochre" contains a sample from the film Dead Man by Jim Jarmusch, and is a reading of a portion of William Blake's poem "Auguries of Innocence". The CD (and later 12") versions of The Red Sea contain Isis' 1998 cassette demo as bonus tracks. This is the only release with Jay Randall (Agoraphobic Nosebleed) on electronics and backing vocals, as he would leave the band after its release. He was replaced by Bryant Clifford Meyer, who stayed with Isis until their dissolution in 2010. It was also the first to feature Michael Gallagher, who would also stay with Isis until their end. The Red Sea also introduces water as a key theme in Isis' albums that would be expanded upon later with (Oceanic). "Charmicarmicarmicat" is a reference to the Melvins song "Charmicarmicat" (from the 1991 EP Eggnog), with an extra "carmi" added to poke fun at the general ridiculousness of the Melvins' sense of humor. This is seemingly confirmed in the liner notes, which thank "Earth, Bastard Noise and The Melvins for inspiration for track one." Tracks 4–7 make up the initial cassette demo tape sent around to record companies as Isis were trying to get signed. Electronics are provided by former member Chris Mereschuk here. The album was also first released on 8" vinyl.

Cuves (French pronunciation: ​[kyv]) is a commune in the Manche department in Normandy in north-western France.