The Galilean Satellites

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Galilean Satellites
The Galilean Satellites cover
Studio album by Rosetta
Released October 18, 2005 (2005-10-18)
Recorded August 2004–December 2004[1]
Genre Post-metal[2][3][4]
Sludge metal[2]
Ambient[2]
Space rock[5]
Art metal[6]
Length 118:14
Label Translation Loss
Professional reviews
Rosetta chronology
Demo
(2003-04)		 The Galilean Satellites
(2005)		 Project Mercury
(2007)
Not to be confused with the Galilean moons.

The Galilean Satellites is the first studio album by American post-metal band Rosetta, released in 2005 on Translation Loss Records.

The album is two discs long and the track lengths on each disc correspond to each other, indicating that the band intended the albums to be played at the same time. Disc one is in a heavy metal style while disc two is ambient noise.

Contents

[edit] Production

Originally, the band intended to record a standard one-disc album and use the ambient pieces as segues; however, the band had enough material and the approval from Translation Loss to record a second disc. This setup was inspired by Neurosis' album Times of Grace.[1]

Scott Hull of Pig Destroyer and Agoraphobic Nosebleed fame was originally hired to master the album; however, the band's dissatisfaction with his work caused him to leave the project; Weed did the mastering himself instead.[1]

[edit] Release

The album was first released in 2005 in a digipak format, then later in 2006 in a standard jewel case, both on Translation Loss Records. A release for the album on vinyl was hopeful, but a release date is currently not set.[7] Additionally, an acoustic remix of "Au Pays Natal" was also recorded, but is not included in the album; rather, it was released as a download-only track on the band's website.[8]

A 5.1 surround sound DVD-R version of the album was also made by the band. The mix featured the first disc in the front speakers and the second disc played at the same time in the rear. The first version, a plain disc, was sold at shows in 2006, while it was re-released for mail distribution in 2006 and 2007. The DVD also included three live videos.[9] These editions were very limited and are no longer available.

The album's gatefold artwork was designed by Hydra Head Records founder and artist Aaron Turner, after Translation Loss themselves asked Turner to create the art. The band members have stated that they are fans of Turner's work (Isis in particular, to which Rosetta is frequently compared).[1]

[edit] Themes

The liner notes contain no lyrics; only the phrase "These songs are about a space man", indicative of the band's fascination with astronomy. The lyrics themselves also seem to be (one one level) about space travel, and make many references to Europa, one of the Galilean moons. The band themselves have stated that the songs tell a story about a man who becomes dissatisfied with the world around him and leaves to find a place of solitude (Europa). However, upon reaching it, he realizes that he left behind things that were meaningful to him.[1]

The track names on disc two all are names of different stars: Deneb, Capella, Beta Aquilae, Ross 128, and Sol (the Latin name for our own sun). The track names on disc one are all French phrases (apart from "Europa", since "Absent" is the same in English and in French).

[edit] Track listing

All songs written and composed by Rosetta. 

Disc one
# Title Length
1. "Départe" (lit. "far away") 8:13
2. "Europa"   10:25
3. "Absent"   9:45
4. "Itinérant" (lit. "traveling") 16:14
5. "Au Pays Natal" (lit. "to the native land/country") 13:32
Disc two
# Title Length
1. "Deneb"   8:13
2. "Capella"   10:25
3. "Beta Aquilae"   9:45
4. "Ross 128"   16:14
5. "Sol"   15:28

[edit] Personnel

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e Elmore, Chris (2005-10-26). Interview: Rosetta. Indieworkshop.com. Retrieved on 2007-06-13.
  2. ^ a b c Rosetta - The Galilean Satellites. Aquarius Records. Retrieved on 2007-08-03.
  3. ^ Rosetta - The Galilean Satellites. Crucial Blast. Retrieved on 2007-08-03.
  4. ^ Butze, Sean; Josh Coppola (2007-09-05). Rosetta: A Metal Odyssey. SonicFrontiers.net. Retrieved on 2007-09-06.
  5. ^ Rivadavia, Eduardo. The Galilean Satellites. Allmusic. Retrieved on 2007-01-19.
  6. ^ Jackowiak, Jason (2005-12-30). Rosetta: The Galilean Satellites review. Splendid Magazine. Retrieved on 2007-06-13.
  7. ^ Interview: Rosetta. Probably Smug (2007-01-22). Retrieved on 2007-09-06.
  8. ^ The album's liner notes contained the URL of a "secret" section of the band's website which allowed fans who purchased a copy of the album access to the acoustic "Au Pays Natal", lyrics, and photos.
  9. ^ Official discography
v • d • e
Rosetta
Michael Armine · David Grossman · Bruce McMurtrie Jr. · J. Matthew Weed
Studio albums
The Galilean Satellites · Wake/Lift
Other releases
Related articles