Sunn 0))) and Ulver-Terrestirals

For fans of: Sunn 0))), modern Ulver, a fitful sleep interspersed with nightmares, continuing to act like you understand Sunn 0)) to impress the hipsters, Satan

Rating: Pretty good, if you're into that sort of thing.

In order to shake things up, and get out of the muck that is my blog perpetually licking the buttholes of bands that I love (call me sometime, Mark Stewart <3) I have decided to actually review modern albums, how novel. Today it's Sunn 0))) and Ulver's collaborative album "Terrestrials" and is available now off Southern Lord

The album is solid, if a bit uneventful. It's essentially what one would expect if these two groups collaborated, a well put together drone and ambient piece. The implicit artistic sensibilities of Ulver seem to clash with the implicit creepiness of Sunn 0))), which results in a somewhat bland album. If you are a fan of either of the bands involved, then you should get the album since it is far from the worst thing either band has presented. If you are a fan of drone or ambient or even darkwave, I would also recommend this album. There isn't anything inherently off putting about this project, but everyone else might find it too boring.

Sunn 0))) and Ulver are two spectacular bands within the experimental side of heavy metal. Sunn 0))) have been known for their powerful use of drone in to create heavily textured and often terrifying sonic landscapes while Ulver is a titan of early black metal, but have been making great electronic music the past decade or so. The pair coming together is essentially a dream come true due to the fact that the two bands are so skilled at creating unique and unnerving music within the heavily metal sphere (and that it's been almost five years since the last Sunn 0))) album.) I honestly came into this with some fairly high expectations and was slightly disappointed. I am not an expert on drone music or ambient music by any measure, but I certainly enjoy both genres. In comparison to what I have listened to of ambient and drone, which is chiefly Aphex Twin, Brian Eno, and Sunn 0 I found this to be a bit boring. As I listened to the first two tracks, "Let there be Light" and "Western Horn," I felt that neither one was very memorable or impressive. I was continually impressed by the subdued fanfare of the former, coming in the form of soft horns, and the foreboding of the latter, but those features were not present enough to leave a great impression

The third and final track, "Eternal Return" however, is quite memorable. The light string flourishes over heavy guitars is very reminiscent of the down parts of a Godspeed You! Black Emperor track all leading into a melodic vocal piece from Ulver's singer. The track is certainly more gripping and emotive than the previous two tracks, really capturing a sense of dread or captivated sorrow. However, is a bit too little too late. The final track leaves one with a fairly good image of the album overall though. Content and satisfied, like eating a filling, if mundane, meal.