Ulver - Liminal Animals (2024) [Hi-Res]

Here we are, reviewing one of the most important and influential bands in Metal, yet one that hasn’t actually played much of it in decades. Ulver is a master of alienating its fanbase with every release, and Liminal Animals is no different. It follows the Electronic and Pop elements of its previous entry, but this time, there’s a different tone. The band is recovering from an irreplaceable loss, so I’ll keep the humor—just with extra respect, ok? So, what can we expect from the most Metal non-Metal band out there? Let’s dive in!

Alright, so Liminal Animals follows the mold that The Assassination of Julius Caesar and Flowers of Evil created, but it’s less Pop-focused and subtly returns to a more experimental side. Don’t worry, there’s still a strong 80s vibe throughout. In fact, I don’t know what’s happening this year, but Liminal Animals could join the select group of albums that decided to become the soundtrack for Blade Runner. Is a third movie coming, or is this generation just suffering from crippling nostalgia? Either way, expect a melancholic synth approach that makes you look at the rain on a dark night and contemplate your past mistakes.

I’m no expert in dungeon synth or any kind of synth, but you can still tell that, in spirit, Ulver remains the band that seeks darkness and subverts expectations. It’s the definition of a band with eras, and right now, we’re in the 80s Pop era. There’s nothing corny or optimistic about tracks like “Hollywood Babylon” or “The Red Light”. And, as in any Ulver album, you’ll still find references to wolves, reminding you that, no matter how much the band changes, the essence remains. However, this is a bizarre album, and I can’t help but have bizarre thoughts about it.

I’m not going to say anything silly about it not being heavy or Metal enough. If you’re reading this, you know that’s never coming back. I’ll just say the album feels long, especially toward the end. By the time “Helian (Trakl)” came on, I was almost asleep. That final act, with all its mumbling, was tough. The pacing of Liminal Animals can be daunting, so prepare to relax and feel a strange joy—but also to give up at times. That’s happened to me with Ulver before: I love some songs, others not so much.

Despite the tragedy the band faced, this album is a fine and worthy addition to perhaps the weirdest discography of any band that once played Black Metal. If you like this era of Ulver, you’ll continue listening. If you weren’t convinced a few years back, this won’t change your mind. As for me, I feel rather neutral about the whole endeavor. No idea if that’s good or bad. I guess I’ll have to stare at the rain from the edge of a building to figure it out… Oh, is that Jimi Hendrix on the cover art?