Band:	Sunn O))) / Ulver
Album:	Terrestrials [Collaboration]
Style:	Dark Ambient, Drone doom metal
Release date:	February 14, 2014
A review by:	Auntie Sahar

01. Let There Be Light
02. Western Horn
03. Eternal Return
04. Eternal Return (Rough 2009) [Japanese bonus]
05. Fidelio (Experiment 2009 feat. Attila Csihar) [Japanese bonus]

Within the realm of experimentation in the metal genre, Sunn O))) and Ulver need little introduction. Both have consistently pushed boundaries over the past decade, the latter barely even being metal anymore at this point. So really, it was only a matter of time before some sort of joint effort between them spawned in 2014's Terrestrials, which can only be described as a complete and natural synthesis of the parties involved.

Terrestrials is essentially what you'd expect from a fusion of these two bands: the dreamy, psychedelic vibe of modern Ulver, but applied in the heavy, monolithic style that Sunn O))) have come to employ. Influences from each band's recent work can be felt in the overall mix, and the music is warm, dreamy, and beautiful, but also dark and haunting as well, somehow all at the same time. Some of the more melodic, ambient touches from Sunn O)))'s Monoliths And Dimensions can be picked up, and on the part of Ulver some subtle elements from Messe I.X-VI.X can as well.

The music dances back and forth between its spine-tingling moments and more mesmerizing vibes. They come in various degrees, but each track more or less strikes a very laudable balance between the two. "Western Horn," for example, is likely the darkest track of the collaboration, bearing the closest resemblance to Sunn O)))'s style, but it still has traces of Ulver's trippy ambiance sprinkled in, especially towards the middle. Likewise, the closer "Eternal Return" is easily the most psychedelic and Ulver-ish, yet the thick, monotonous style in which this technique is applied unquestionably borrows from Sunn O))).

Terrestrials is thus a true gem of experimental metal, and, indeed, experimental music in general, the logical result of musicians who said "we both make weird shit, let's see how it goes together." This is an interesting technique, and it opens the door for pondering on other such collaborations that could come about in later years. Since Avantgarde music generally keeps itself open to possibilities, one would think that its adaptability makes it highly possible for more such projects like this to take place in the future (that means you, Mories and Vindsval). Whether you're a fan of Sunn O))), Ulver, or both, the chances that you'll enjoy Terrestrials are pretty high, as it combines both bands' styles almost flawlessly, and doesn't push you too far into either direction. As far as I'm concerned, this is some truly fantastic music, and although this might just be a one-time-only occurrence, it definitely raises my hopes that the guys from both groups will form some sort of new project together, because I need more of this. Definite AOTY contender.

Begin your daze, mortals.