Sunn 0))) are one of the darkest and most creative bands that I listen to. A great strength of theirs is the appreciation they have of collaboration. This curious tendency continues with Terrestrials, the band’s collaboration with Norweigen band Ulver. The piece is composed from a long form and improvised rehearsal/jam that that the bands worked on together after Sunn 0)))’s 200th live performance in Norway back in 2008. Through the years since, members of both sides continued to develop the piece post recording until it arrived where it is now.
Where is it now? In a very different place than you might expect from the players involved. This is a majestic and beautiful album. It seduces you. This does not mean that it is not dark. It most certainly is, but in a much different way. A way that neither band has done entirely on their own.
The strong presence of horns is a clever touch that stirs the beauty of the album perfectly. There is also some string work throughout and that deepens the albums ‘leaning towards the light’ feel. While all this may sound a little soft to some, especially when discussing both Sunn 0))) and Ulver, don’t make the mistake of thinking it is one dimensional. It isn’t. Terrestrials has a sinister and powerful brushstroke to it that should not be understated.
Its darkness really comes from its subtlety. The repeating deep undertones that pulse beneath the surface like lava simmering to a boil anchor Terrestrials perfectly. The sinister rhythms create a hypnotic and dynamic counter to the gorgeous orchestration. It becomes hypnotic after a while.
The piece ascends to a new level on the albums final track, “Eternal Return”. Vocals, clear and crisp, insert an alien voice into the texture for just a few brief moments. The vocals themselves are astoundingly haunting and tranquil and shifts the mood in a unique way.
The album pulls back on the intensity and saturation of sound on Sunn 0)))’s part and lets Ulver incorporate their composition as well, but it does feel very much like something that represents both bands. A true collaboration that will let you drift away in its beautiful undertow if you let it. Terrestrials feels undeniably special and this is music that truly matters among today’s avant-garde and experimental scenes.
Maximum volume yields maximum results.
Rating: 4.8/5
http://sunnulversl.bandcamp.com/
Paul also writes a bunch of great stuff on Bleeding Light Records.