SUNN O))) & ULVER - Terrestrials

“Let there be Light” the first part of this work, is a invitation and announcement of the arrival of something majestic, grand but full of goodwill. In the second part, “Western Horn” I witness a play on the theme of the horn of the Gods, only the horn of Sunn O))) and Ulver does not announce Ragnarök or any other catastrophe, but invite us terrestrials to peak into something sacred, where we might stay, with the possibility of being one with the third part; “Eternal Return”, partly a sweet, sweet flight among the clouds, free from the limits the human condition puts on us.

Musically, Terrestrials is a masterpiece, measured in with how much ease those artists put the listener into a meditative state with this collaborative work. It flows but not like the mountain of molten lava we know from the Sunn O))) back catalogue but more like a spring breeze on the cheek of a earthchild who will miss winter. It is as captivating as the minimalism in the works of Arvo Part and as sweet as Air.
The trademark Sunn O))) drone is with us here in another form, especially in “Western Horn”. I haven't followed Ulver for years but if their Perdition City was a ghost town, their Terrestrials is a collection of beautiful souls.

There are hundreds and thousands of ambient style musicians out here who do their uttermost best to write the soundtrack of the way to the sacred light, but here it is, written by Sunn O))) and Ulver. Thank you. [Southern Lord]
- Sigurður Harðarson

I remember, few years ago, I read an interview with Stephen O‘Malley, of Sunn O))), that he had posted on facebook. In the interview he mentioned there had been recorded a collaboration project by Sunn O))) and Ulver. I commented on it, saying how excited I was.  O‘Malley said that I‘d have to wait because this was not a top priority project at the time. I replied and said I would try to be patient. The news of the release of Terrestrials sent waves of bliss through my mind. It was finally time to hear what I had been waiting for.

The album starts off soft and sort of rhythmic feedbacking, not exactly the kind Sunn O))) are known for. As the song progresses, more layers of feedback come into play along with wind instruments, which sets the right atmosphere. Later on things get intense as a heavy drumbeat and droning bass begin pounding the eardrums. The album drones on, always leading the listener deeper into a journey of strange melodies and feedbacking soundscapes. A bit to my surprise, but not too much, we also get to enjoy the beautiful voice of Kristoffer Rygg, of Ulver, in the album‘s dreamy and almost-jazz-like last song, "Eternal Return", which sounds sort of soothing and comforting. There are three men that I‘ve ever been jealous of because of their magnificent voices and vocal range and Mr. Rygg is one of them. There is something about his voice and how he delivers his vocals that makes the listener believe that everything will be okay.

Terrestrials is rather experimental, for example by playing a melody on wind instruments over the droning electronic instruments, but that was to be expected when Sunn O))) and Ulver teamed up to create something truly magnificent, which is exactly what this album is. I didn‘t know what to expect before I pressed the play button, but when I listen to this album I somehow get the feeling that what I hear is exactly what I should have been expecting. Both bands play equally important part in creating this album and that resaults in an amazing soundscape and the perfect atmosphere. The only downside is that there are only three songs on the album which clocks in at about 36 minutes. Beeing the greedy guy I am, I wish there had been one more song. However, that‘s not a bad thing. Great things should leave you wanting more. I can surely say that my patience since I read that interview surely paid off!
- Kristján Fenrir Sigurðsson

To know about Halifax Collect updates as they come, follow us on facebook, twitter and tumblr. Thank you.

Join the conversation by writing a comment below.