Few albums are as all-encompassing as Rosetta's latest release, The Galilean Satellites. Usually, an album by a band, even in the case of incredible releases, is just that – an album, a record to listen to at will.

The Galilean Satellites isn't an album, or record – it's an event. One that you should seriously pencil time in your schedule for.

On first inspection, and while listening to the first disc of this two disc set, Rosetta appears to be a competent, emotive drone metal band. What is drone metal, you ask? It's metal, of course, but (much like listening to bagpipes) there is usually one note, one tone that will continue throughout the entire song. (Thus the name – just like the drone pipes.) And Rosetta's music is driven, powerful, and sludgy.

The second disc of the set, however, is very different. It's a weird kind of industrial-ambient mix, once again featuring prominent droning but minimal instrumentation. It's got a very different feel from the first disc, with ambient noise, minimalistic melodies, and is just all-around chill.

It seems unnatural that these two would be packaged together, but it's not the first time that a metal band has released very calm, soothing ambient stuff. Devin Townsend has been doing it for years; Neurosis has released music under the title Tribes of Neurot that have a totally different ambient flavor from their metal stuff.

The genius of this album, however, is not simply in the two disparate discs. While they are well-done, listening to the two of them only gives you 2/3 of what this album has to offer.

You see, this album is designed to be played simultaneously. Yes, that's right – you're supposed to play both discs, in two different players, at the same time.

Weird and inventive? Definitely. Difficult to coordinate? Sort of. Worth it?

So very, very worth it.

Listening to both at the same time creates a totally new record – where the drones of the ambient and the drones of the metal coincide, connect, separate, diverge, and meet once again – and create one of the most novel and unique listening experiences you will ever have.

Seriously, folks, go get this record. It is absolutely mind-numbing.