Warthur Rosetta's The Galilean Satellites is best experienced with both the ambient and metal tracks played simultaneously - some editions come with the tracks pre-combined, otherwise you should be able to find some way to combine them if you are technically minded. Either way, I don't know what possessed the band to attempt this odd experiment of theirs - perhaps they were overly impressed by Zaireeka by The Flaming Lips? - because their full-throated, furious brand of post-metal is only enhanced with the ambient backing of the second disc tracks. An enjoyable post-metal experiment, provided you can get past the oddities of the way it was released, though it fades a little once you move past the gimmick and see how much of this territory has been explored before by other hands.

ed_the_dead Philadelphia metal-astronauts Rosetta have managed to gather quite a rave, yet underground following (even by extreme metal standards) since their founding. After hearing Wake/Lift, I understand why. "Metal for astronouts" really is a terrific way to describe the noise these four dudes create. You could of course simple label them sludge or post-metal, but bare in mind this is not another Neurosis clone. Hardcore intensity and angst, post-rock build-ups and crescendos, dreamy, tranquil moments reminiscent of shoegaze, or dream pop even - It's all here, Folks. And it really does sound unique. Hell, even the production and mixing stray from typical genre standards. It's a bit rough, the vocals seem to get buried under the guitars/ambience. That may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it works perfectly - the "distant" screams really send chills down my spine. "Wake" is probably my favourite track, and it basically sounds like a Hollywood apocalypse, but in a good way. Sure, I could describe it, but if someone got this far in the review, then he already has a vague idea of what I'm writing about. Give these guys some of the attention they so righteously deserve. If the end of the world really is near, I want this baby to be the soundtrack accompanying it. That would be one hell of an epic apocalypse.