Ulver – ‘Wars of the Roses’ CD

This album balances the more guitar-driven sound of ‘Blood Inside’ and the atmospheric elements of ‘Shadows of the Sun,’ Ulver’s previous two albums. However, it is neither as densely layered as the former nor possesses the evocative flow of the latter.

Rather, it amalgamates musical traits from its predecessors while re-shaping them with a more direct approach. The album derives its power from being extremely varied, as far-reaching sonic experiments comprise it.

The opening track, ‘February MMX,’ is strangely addictive, despite being Ulver’s most upbeat piece of work to date. Although the band describes it as a pop song, it breaks pop music conventions as it carries the unique Ulver stamp.

From the way the percussion is used to the entire arrangement, the simplicity of the composition works perfectly to express the underlying apathy intended to portray.