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ROSETTA

Experimental/Post Metal • United States


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Rosetta biography
Formed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA in 2003

Rosetta was formed with Michael Armine on vocals and samples, David Grossman on bass, Bruce McMurtrie, Jr., on drums, and J. Matthew Weed on guitar and violin. Rosetta, with their 2005 double debut, "The Galilean Satelites", are pushing the boundaries of music by combining gleaming ambience with crunching sludge riffs for a truly unique way of creating post-metal. They have cited Neurosis and Isis as a main influence.

-Bio written by Mike (jikai55)-

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ROSETTA discography


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ROSETTA top albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

4.09 | 46 ratings
The Galilean Satellites
2005
3.71 | 29 ratings
Wake / Lift
2007
3.73 | 40 ratings
A Determinism Of Morality
2010
3.29 | 14 ratings
The Anaesthete
2013
4.08 | 13 ratings
Quintessential Ephemera
2015
3.80 | 5 ratings
Utopioid
2017

ROSETTA Live Albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

ROSETTA Videos (DVD, Blu-ray, VHS etc)

ROSETTA Boxset & Compilations (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

ROSETTA Official Singles, EPs, Fan Club & Promo (CD, EP/LP, MC, Digital Media Download)

4.25 | 4 ratings
Project Mercury (split with Balboa)
2007
3.86 | 7 ratings
3 way split (with East of The Wall & Year of No Light)
2010
4.67 | 3 ratings
Rosetta / Restorations Split
2010
3.57 | 7 ratings
Flies to Flame
2014
4.00 | 5 ratings
Sower of Wind
2019
4.00 | 4 ratings
Terra Sola
2019

ROSETTA Reviews


Showing last 10 reviews only
 The Galilean Satellites by ROSETTA album cover Studio Album, 2005
4.09 | 46 ratings

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The Galilean Satellites
Rosetta Experimental/Post Metal

Review by progtime1234567

5 stars The Galilean Satellites by Rosetta is a landmark album in the Post metal genre, in my opinion at least. It helped establish Post metal as a genuine genre, along with Oceanic by Isis, Somewhere Along the Highway by Cult of Luna, Through Silver In Blood by Neurosis, and Australasia by Pelican. It not only helped establish the genre, it influenced many bands and musicians to go on and create their own music.

The album consists of two discs, each a little over an hour in length. They are intended to be played at the same time, in a similar vain as Times of Grace by Neurosis. The first disc are the band's regular Post metal, and the second disc is ambient tracks that fit in with the first disc. How apt. Musically, the album's sound is the classic, sludgy Post metal sound, but there are also the quieter, more atmospheric parts to balance out the sound. Lyrically, the album deals with themes of astronomy and space travel, similar to how Cult of Luna would eventually do on their album Mariner with Julie Christmas.

The Galilean Satellites has to be one of my personal favorite Post metal albums. Also, Europa, the second song, has to be one of my favorite songs of all - time, period. This album is essential Post metal listening, and it is key in the development of the genre. In my opinion, if you are a fan of Post metal, or you're getting into the genre, The Galilean Satellites is essential listening.

 Terra Sola by ROSETTA album cover Singles/EPs/Fan Club/Promo, 2019
4.00 | 4 ratings

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Terra Sola
Rosetta Experimental/Post Metal

Review by TCat
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator / Retired Admin

4 stars The band "Rosetta" has been quite busy the last few years supporting their full-length album "Utopioid" with a huge tour encompassing 2 years, spanning 36 countries and performing 200 shows. After this, eager fans were waiting for new music, and the band has delivered twice in 2019.

"Terra Sola" is the 2nd EP released in 2019 by the Experimental/Post Metal band Rosetta. The first EP by the band this year ("Sower of Wind") was an excellent study in minimalism with some heavy contrasts. "Terra Sola" has the same line up as "Sower of Wind" with one exception: Bruce McMurtrie rejoins the band's line up providing drums and vocals, while Mike Armine (vocals, samples), Eric Jernigan (guitars), and Matt Weed (guitar, bass, piano) remain in the band as before. The band cites "Neurosis" and "Isis". This EP is made up of 3 tracks with a total run time of just over 22 minutes.

The first track is the title track "Terra Sola" (11:25), and is the centerpiece to this EP. The track begins with a moderate, but heavy beat, and swirling guitars make for a lush, yet forward moving sound. Light, airy vocals come in as the instrumental patterns support accented by a heavy bass. There is a short pause, then a sudden explosion takes the music to heavy, emotional levels. Vocals return, this time, though, they are growling/screaming to match the heavier music. This heavy hitting sound continues until the 4 minute mark, when it backs off a bit, but the heavy rhythm continues while the guitars start to swirl around again. Both the bass and drums carry the excitement though, and then eventually bridges back to the heaviness and growling vocals. This time, a more melodic layer is softly sung under the yelling, and it results into a nice contrast of emotions. After 7 minutes, the music quickly backs off again. Now, the mood takes on a "Mogwai" style guitar exploration while the drums continue to pound out a complex pattern. Guitars and keys float over the complex drums until the end.

"57844"(6:06) is the title of the 2nd track, a futher exploration of the sound that was explored in the track "54543" from the "Utopioid" album. The music is soft and fluttery with staccato notes playing a chordal pattern as a soft guitar plays over it, and soft, airy vocals with harmonized layers flow along with the music. The sound is lush, yet the instruments create a constant frantic feel at the same time. Where the first track was more of a display of contrasting moods and mostly showing the usual heavy side of the band, this one if more consistent, not varying much from the sound, yet still creating a beauty that keeps you engaged.

The final track is the instrumental "Where is Hope?" (4:48) which is driven more by an acoustic guitar while airy electric guitar and electronic layers create a cushion of lo-fi layers under it. There is some percussion added under it all which really doesn't establish a rhythm as much as it becomes another layer of sound, rolling drums and somewhat harsh slamming sounds that still remain under the mix. The song floats along easily, though it is also accented by the unsettling percussion, until it finally fades and then the acoustic guitar takes it to the end.

Once again, we see another side of the band, but this time, the EP just doesn't explore the minimalism like the previous one, but gives us a rousing title track that reflects their usual sound followed by 2 more atmospheric tracks. You can definitely hear the "Isis" influence on this album, but Rosetta definitely shows that they can be their own band, and continue to show their willingness to explore their sounds. After creating two excellent EPs that show their different sides, we can hope to hear a new full album soon that will marry these two sides into a real masterpiece, but for now, we can definitely be satisfied with the offerings they have provided, which can be downloaded from Bandcamp as a "pay what you wish" release. And once again, they give us an excellent EP. 4 stars.

 Sower of Wind by ROSETTA album cover Singles/EPs/Fan Club/Promo, 2019
4.00 | 5 ratings

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Sower of Wind
Rosetta Experimental/Post Metal

Review by TCat
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator / Retired Admin

4 stars The Experimental / Post Metal band "Rosetta" was formed in 2003 in Philadelphia, PA and has released 6 albums and 5 EPs since that time. Their music has been a study of extremes and experimentation with dynamics. Their current line-up consists of Mike Armine doing sampling, Eric Jernigan on keyboards, pianos, and guitars and Matt Weed on bass, guitars, keyboards, and synths.

"Sower of Wind" is their 5th EP released early in 2019. It consists of 4 tracks with an overall run time of nearly 30 minutes. The tracks are named after the four directions, or the four winds and consists of development of ideas taken from the "Utopioid" album, though the band claims that it is not a companion recording for that album.

"East" starts with a dark piano riff and a drone featuring a subdued, yet wide tonal sound. Other effects and sounds swirl around the minimal beauty. Synths grow and fade, threatening to take over and drown things out, but always remaining minimal. The piano riff stops as everything else continues. When the piano returns, the riff is taken up a few octaves, but it never overpowers remaining subtle. The theme of wind carries in the way the music seems almost borne on the wind. The last minute crescendos to almost a climax then drops off leaving the piano notes still playing.

"South" has a warmer feel as a drone slowly builds, again propelled slowly by the wind. Single solitary piano and guitar notes chime over it all, softly sustained and pulled into the background drone. Harmonics echo through the wind which is portrayed by the drone layers.

"West" brings in a quiet drone with what sounds like a voice transmission kept low in the mix. The drone is a bit looser this time with different layers and harmonics coming out of the layers. The main sounds here come from electric piano and jangly, yet soft guitars. The keyboards oscillate a bit, while the guitar notes sound like brassy chimes blowing in the wind. As it fades at the end, the voice transmission is heard again.

"North" starts out the most minimal of all, but a sudden strumming of a guitar and a rumbling synth starts to come in to make you aware that it is there. Echoing keys stay subdued as effects continue. Sustained guitar chords change, but make up most of the drone in this one. Suddenly, a faster moving acoustic guitar passage plays as electric piano plays a counter passage. This sound builds slowly.

These are 4 beautifully minimal soundscapes with dark undertones and passages that threaten to become stronger, but always manage to stay soft and subdued. The four winds that are the main concept here, are never overpowering, but more like unsettling breezes, that hint at something ominous that never really happens. Those that don't like the minimal sound should probably stay away from this one, but I think the pictures painted by this experimental sound exploration are quite beautiful and descriptive. At 30 minutes, it is the perfect length if you need to go sit out a few minutes of your life to relax and unwind. Very nice!

 The Galilean Satellites by ROSETTA album cover Studio Album, 2005
4.09 | 46 ratings

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The Galilean Satellites
Rosetta Experimental/Post Metal

Review by Warthur
Prog Reviewer

3 stars 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.
 A Determinism Of Morality by ROSETTA album cover Studio Album, 2010
3.73 | 40 ratings

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A Determinism Of Morality
Rosetta Experimental/Post Metal

Review by Marty McFly
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

4 stars This genre of "Prog" (quite wide description of Prog these days, so we have to get used to it - I don't object) is a weird beast. Screams and switching of rough/calm passages, that's what it is basically about. It can be taken crudely, or masterly polished, carefully combined. Sure, it has to be raw and somehow wild, but not untamed. This is piece of art done in half way between these two sharp ends. Yes, I've heard better before, but there are pieces (of songs) of interest as well, so this record isn't damned at all.

I don't consider myself narrow/close minded, but I'm not going to fall for anything with such elements and consider it "terrific" and "superb" instantly. I'm enthusiastic for the good stuff, but also suspicious of what I call "screams for screams themselves" => making noise because it's nice, not because it serves higher purpose of creating art.

Anyway, here the beauty of "tamed" version comes with latter half of the album, while first "part" serves as shocking (won't shock me, but those who are not prepared for such kind of music), while the music slowly distills (like a good old whiskey), until we get pure heaven, especially featured on Renew and title track, A Determinism of Morality, while the second one descends into the same screaming chaos from which the whole album emerged. Wonderfully scripted and I dare to say that this was possible the intended background "story" of this album. Or not ? Depends on which version you want to understand.

4(-), some good, some bad.

 A Determinism Of Morality by ROSETTA album cover Studio Album, 2010
3.73 | 40 ratings

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A Determinism Of Morality
Rosetta Experimental/Post Metal

Review by Dunn Khan

5 stars I always possessed a soft spot for bands with a sludgy sound such as Buried Inside ans ISIS but my first impression of Rosetta's new album left me a bit hanging. It was most likely being in a despicable mood and that ruined it for me. Nevertheless, after a few sessions I found that the slow rhythm of screaming and barking vocals were skillfully used to create a never-ending exploding rush of metal that denies you the option of pausing or stopping the album short of it's end. Be warned that DETERMINISM OF MORALITY can feel very repetitive and slow but it IS sludge after all, that is the charm it holds.

Surely this is my favorite album of the genre that came out this year, a fantastic effort that holds much strength and deserves a 4.5 rating which I will gladly bring to 5 stars.

 A Determinism Of Morality by ROSETTA album cover Studio Album, 2010
3.73 | 40 ratings

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A Determinism Of Morality
Rosetta Experimental/Post Metal

Review by nihilmorari27

4 stars WARNING: This is not an album for closed minded people.

This is a metal album. It has influences from progressive music, but mostly is a metal album, with many hardcore traits, such as drumming, screaming/barking vocals and very few guitar solos, with a heavy emphasis on rhythm. So it shouldn't be compared to symphonic prog or neo-prog albuns, this is a completely different kind of music.

In what it is, and what it wants to be, this is an awesome album. Really good use of dynamics within every track, showing the light-dark contrast, which is sort of a genre trademark. If you're a post-metal fan, this is a must-have. If you want to hear really agressive music, at the same time strangely calming, give it a listen. But if you really doesn't like screaming vocals, stay away from this.

 A Determinism Of Morality by ROSETTA album cover Studio Album, 2010
3.73 | 40 ratings

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A Determinism Of Morality
Rosetta Experimental/Post Metal

Review by myhandsarefree

1 stars To be completely honest, I don't know how ROSETTA's Determinism of Morality made it onto this site. The majority of the album consists of horrible screaming over heavily distorted guitar playing roughly the same things over and over again. Besides the fact that, in my mind, it hardly qualifies as music, the only thing remotely progressive about it is the occasional use of an odd time signature. The few times I heard something sounding almost musical, it would just get repeated to death and then ruined by the noise of the rest of the album.

I would not recommend this album to anyone who likes pleasant melodies, interesting harmonies, or quality musical compositions.

In fact, I don't think I would recommend this album to anyone.

 Wake / Lift by ROSETTA album cover Studio Album, 2007
3.71 | 29 ratings

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Wake / Lift
Rosetta Experimental/Post Metal

Review by Mellotron Storm
Prog Reviewer

3 stars ROSETTA are from Philadelphia and play a heavy, sludge ridden brand of Post-Metal not too unlike ISIS or NEUROSIS the two bands many compare them to. I like how Butch Jones describes this album: "...a dark, daunting and depressing piece of work that is best described as a soundtrack to a killing, with thickly mixed and textured guitars and manic rhythms that exudes abrasive tendencies and other mental collapses of the mind". Haha.

I like the instrumental work even if it is doom-like, but the relentless "cookie monster" vocals are really a put off for me. I envy those who like growly vocals because I know i'm missing out on a lot of great music because of it. There is no escape from it on this album."Red In Tooth And Claw" is my favourite, gotta love those riffs.

Anyway I feel bad being the only collaborator to review it so far, I know that will change because this is a highly thought of album out there.

 Wake / Lift by ROSETTA album cover Studio Album, 2007
3.71 | 29 ratings

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Wake / Lift
Rosetta Experimental/Post Metal

Review by CGH Tompkins

3 stars Ppst-metal?, what's that?, is that eatable?, whatever that is, this album is not a new style, but a combination o f two 2old styles: metal and post rock:

If you hear this band instrumentaly, you're going to find the sound of Godspeed You Black Emperor!, and, in some parts, but not many parts, the sound of Green Carnation, so, there's no new style here, just some guys who don't know if they want to play metal or post rock.

now the voice: awful, screams, trying to be gutural*, and complete pointless.

The result?, this is not a bad album nor a good one, it's between that, some parts, the instrumental ones, are good, but the voice is really bad, and not all the instrumental parts are good, so, you can try this, but is not a new style, nor a necessary album in your life, i can say that i can live without this album.

As i said: between green carnation and Godspeed You Black Emperor!, if you like these bands, try this, if you don't, skip this.

*that's a spanish word, i don't know any english word with a similar meaning, sorry, but a good example: the first scream of 6(sic)six (Slipknot), is a gutural scream

Thanks to avestin for the artist addition. and to Quinino for the last updates

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