Search - Ulver :: Shadows of the Sun

Like wolves evolving...

C. Bailey | Ocala, FL. | 03/02/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For those who aren't already aware of Ulver, this review will serve as a brief introduction. Ulver are an avant guard/electronica trio hailing from Norway whose origins are firmly rooted in the black metal underground of the early 90s. Since 1998 Ulver have been releasing music on Jester Records, owned by their front man Krystoffer Rygg. Not content to travel only one path, Ulver cast off their armor following the release of "Nattens Madrigal" to shroud themselves in the ever shifting cloaks of the magus. "Shadows of the Sun" follows this tradition of change, being a masterful collection of some of the most somber, yet captivating pieces of music I've ever heard. This is a great CD to listen to on a dark, gloomy winter day. From the first track, "Eos", ending with "What Happened?", the mood is shaped and reshaped again with surmounting intrigue that causes your finger to want to press the 'repeat' button on its own volition. One particular highlight is the inclusion of an excellent cover of Black Sabbath's "Solitude", from the album "Master of Reality". Ulver's "Shadows of the Sun" has stayed in my car's CD player for over a month, and to this day I have not heard enough of it."

Boring and Directionless

J. Knapp | Tuscola, IL. | 10/11/2009

(1 out of 5 stars)

"For some reason fans of Ulver continue to hang on to this band and pretend everything they release is pure gold. It's not. It's pointless noise. All their music sounds like random bits of guitars, vocals, keyboards and synthesizers slapped together with no real purpose. And don't give me the "that's how it is meant to sound" line. Hogwash.



Ulver is a band who likes to experiment with sounds. That's it. You're not hearing something everyone else is not. This album does nothing to change my mind. To quote Type O Negative: don't mistake lack of talent for genius.



If you like droning, pointless noise then this is your album. If you like substance, if you like creative song structure rather than random piecing together of sounds, if you like your music to sound purposeful rather than accidental then go look somewhere else on Amazon and stay away from Ulver.



And why do so many people continue to label this band as metal? Black metal even! Metal fans -- especially black metal fans -- don't be fooled by the labels. Ulver is about as metal as a plastic spork. At one time they may have had some black metal elements, but that was a long time ago. If you like all the elements of black metal besides the guitars, bass, drums and vocals then go ahead and give it a try. Imagine Dimmu Borgir with no guitars, no drums and no vocals. Maybe that's black metal. Maybe it's just noise."

Audio Perfection

eternal now | mankato | 01/15/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ulver's musical career is so diverse that its hard to imagine that each one of their releases were created by the same group of artists. Beginning with a folk inspired Black Metal style, Ulver have gone through so many genres and musical styles over the years.



Most bands are too afraid to stray from their comfortable niche to even realize that they have vast potential (and some bands in truth have no other talent other than their initial offerings). The ability to change genres, styles and overall moods is the the true mark of an artist, and evolution. Ulver have, over many releases proven that they cannot be pigeon-holed into one category or style, and they most definitely have proven that they are truly talented without being pretentious or snobbish.



"Shadows of the Sun" is the latest LP by Ulver, and it is so far removed from everything they have done in the past. It is also one of THE most beautiful and atmospheric albums I have ever heard since Anathema's "A Natural Disaster". Like with most Ulver albums, the most dominant emotions are melancholy, death, the divine mysticism of humanity, and in some ways love; all blended together to form one of 2007's musical masterpieces.



Like previous Ulver albums there is a plethora of musical instruments and programming involved. Some tracks feature Violins, Cello, String Quartets, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, a Theremin (a really funky instrument that requires no physical touch to "play"), and other various electronic manipulations and keyboards. The instruments are so diverse, and the sounds are so well crafted with solid production; Shadows of the Sun will completely engulf you into its universe of ambiance.

Kristoffer Rygg's vocals are so diverse and soothing, deep brooding and soulful yet very accessible: a feat most elusive with many modern vocalists. Kristoffer has the voice of an angel, and is a very haunting vocalist.



The music on "Shadows..." follows the same pace throughout the whole record; a slow, dream-like rhythm that rarely lets up to intensity or speed. But in regards to Ulver, that's a good thing. They know how to do slow just right. The best thing about Ulver is that they know when to incorporate a certain sound and when to use silence. To me this album doesn't even seem slow because it captures my total attention every time I listen to it. Most of the music has no drums or percussion at all, further adding to the dream-like feel, and the record is better because of this. Electronic manipulation is kept to a minimum, making "Shadows of the Sun" seem very organic, yet make no mistake, Ulver will take you on a mystical journey through the Ethereal.



"Shadows of the Sun" is a very complete album, each track artfully blends into the other in such a perfect way. Its definitely an album that should be consumed whole rather than in parts ( "Eos" the album opener seems to fit rather nicely with the ending track "What Happened?"). 'Shadows of the Sun" could certainly be a concept album where each song is part of a story (it definitely has that feel to it), but just like other Ulver albums, each song has enough strength and depth to stand alone. There is even a Black Sabbath cover on here ("Solitude"), a cover done up 'Ulver' style, even to the Sabbath initiate it will sound like an Ulver song; yeah, it is that great of a cover. Complete with minimalistic trumpets and melancholic atmosphere, no drums, with the haunting and soulful voice of Rygg. I didn't even know it was a cover until I heard the Sabbath version and read the lyrics.



Ulver fans (those that have grown accustomed to their ever shifting sound) will embrace "Shadows of the Sun" with open arms, but I think even the casual music lover with find much to enjoy here. Those who favor true ambient music will certainly find affinity with this."