Jupiterian – Terraforming (Review)

This is the second album from Jupiterian, a Brazilian atmospheric doom/sludge band.

Offering a beguiling mixture of oppressive darkness and vivid resplendent beauty, Jupiterian weave their textured sound around a core of intensity that sees this album be as compelling as it is affecting.

There’s a certain occult magnificence and grandeur to Jupiterian’s music. Mixing atmospheric sludge, post-metal, and death/doom into a relatively streamlined sub-40 minute package, this is an album that manages to be expansive and exploratory, while also being concise and without filler. Everything here has a purpose, and everything is finely honed to take the listener on an atmospheric journey into new and mythical lands.

For a starting point think of bands such as Neurosis, Ufomammut, Cult of Luna, Mournful Congregation, Lycus, Paradise Lost, and Primitive Man, roll them all together into a condensed ball of atmosphere, and use this to seed a new world. This is where Jupiterian reside, masters of all they survey.

The songs combine heaviness with emotive appeal, creating and drawing out immersive atmospheres and luscious melodies on one hand, while crushing with weight and intensity on the other. It’s a mix that works very well across Terraforming, and it really does feel like Jupiterian have crafted a world all of their own.

Highly impressive, and highly recommended.