Live At Roadburn cover

Live At Roadburn

Ulver · 2013

53 min · 11 tracks · black metal

An immersive blend of experimental rock and avant-garde textures, seamlessly weaving through haunting melodies and atmospheric soundscapes.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Bracelets of Fingers Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
  • →
    Can You Travel in the Dark Alone? — This track exemplifies Ulver's ability to create an atmospheric soundscape that lingers with haunting vocals and intricate instrumentation, showcasing their artistic depth.
  • →
    I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night) — This cover transforms a classic song into a mesmerizing experience, blending nostalgic elements with contemporary sound, making it a standout moment in their live repertoire.
  • →
    Impromptu Performance (Dedicated to Can) — An extended piece that captures the essence of improvisation, reflecting the band's experimental ethos while paying homage to one of their musical influences.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

72 /100
Alpine
Higher than 95% of albums we've rated

The live performance captures Ulver's genre-blending approach with strong improvisation and cohesive flow.

What we noticed

  • The album features extended improvisational sections that allow the band to explore different textures and dynamics throughout the performance.
  • Tracks often blend seamlessly into one another, creating a continuous flow rather than distinct breaks between songs.
  • Several pieces incorporate unconventional instrumentation, enhancing the atmospheric quality and depth of the soundscapes.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
8/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
8/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
7/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • wave-like pacing with dynamic shifts
  • haunting atmosphere for introspection
  • immersive live performance experience
  • captivating layers of sound
  • ideal for late-night listening

Maybe skip if you

  • seeking instant gratification
  • prefer standalone upbeat tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Deep Cut — Captures Ulver's live performance evolution; not a primary entry point for new listeners.
Themes
experimental improvisation· nostalgic transformation
Career context
By the time 'Live At Roadburn' was released in 2013, Ulver had undergone significant evolution, transitioning from their early black metal roots to embrace a diverse range of genres. This live album showcases their foray into more avant-garde and experimental territories, following their 2011 studio album 'Wars of the Roses', which furthered this artistic exploration.
Stylistic neighbors
Arcturus· Opeth· Borknagar

Tracklist

  • 1 Bracelets of Fingers Start here 4:50
  • 2 In the Past 3:03
  • 3 Can You Travel in the Dark Alone? 5:01
  • 4 Soon There’ll Be Thunder 2:28
  • 5 Today 3:50
  • 6 Velvet Sunsets 4:04
  • 7 Street Song 5:58
  • 8 66-5-4-3-2-1 3:49
  • 9 I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night) 3:28
  • 10 Magic Hollow 5:18
  • 11 Impromptu Performance (Dedicated to Can) 11:19

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata