Album Details

• Artist: Rosetta
• Album: The Galilean Satellites
• Label: Translation Loss
• Year of Release: 2005
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: digitalbath on 2008-02-20

Media

In the world of album reviews, people throw around the words "perfect" and "amazing" so much that they kind of lose their meaning and I'll admit to being one of those unfortunate few to make the masses numb to the extreme adjectives.  However, I'm here today to set a searing hot iron on your forearm to rid you of that numbness when I say that Rosetta has written an absolutely perfect album from start to finish in The Galilean Satellites.  Having listened to Wake/Lift (Rosetta's release following The Galilean Satellites) before this masterpiece, I had already dropped what I was doing in regard to any other post-rock/post-metal/space-rock interests that I had and devoted myself entirely to Rosetta.  The Galilean Satellites makes me truly appreciate that latest musical decision and believe me when I tell you that this album is nothing short of perfection.

A bit of backstory behind this concept album is that the album was recorded using a "quadrophonic technology" which allowed Rosetta to sync the two discs of The Galilean Satellites when played together.  Kind of like The Dark Side of the Moon and The Wizard of Oz, but better to the nth degree.  The first disc focuses heavily on their metal roots.  Tracks like "Europa" and "Au Pays Natal" absolutely rattle your brain with riveting guitars and vocals that send a chill up and down your spine.  The second disc pays tribute to a more ambient side of Rosetta and seems incomplete while still sounding like a halfway decent, yet peculiar disc on its own.

When combined, The Galilean Satellites become the most intense mix of ambient metal that I've ever heard.  I strongly feel that this is the most artistic album to be put out since Tool's Lateralus and if you've done any research on Lateralus you know just how monumental that is.  If you want to drift away in an intense display of utter musical art, listen to this album in its entirety, then listen to the true album, combined and dissolve in the brilliance of Rosetta's unmatched and unrivaled masterpiece, The Galilean Satellites. 

User Reviews and Comments

on 2008-02-25 digitalbath Said:

Thanks. I'm trying to get a physical copy of the album so that I can get them professionally combined. When I listened to it combined I used my computer's speakers and my boombox. It was definitely an experience.
Not Rated

on 2008-02-25 dscanland Said:

Dude! I couldn't have done this review the justice you have served it. What a great album. Anyone into the heavy rock/metal genres really needs to check into Rosetta. Thanks John. I've been meaning to do this one for quite some time.
Not Rated