Sub Pop / USA / 2LP, Reissue
Earth’s early discography stands as a cornerstone in the birth of ambient metal, with albums like Earth 2 (1993) and Phase 3: Thrones and Dominions showcasing their pioneering sound. Earth 2 delivered 72 minutes of minimalism with droning basslines, reverb-heavy guitars, and hypnotic repetition, akin to Black Sabbath slowed to a crawl. Its seismic impact introduced a genre-defying approach far removed from the grunge scene it was surrounded by.
Their follow-up, Phase 3, expanded their scope with a mix of sprawling and concise tracks. Highlights include the melodic brevity of "Harvey," the droning, Sabbath-like "Tibetan Quaaludes," and the desolate abstraction of “Phase 3: Agni Detonating Over The Thar Desert.” Tracks alternated between distorted, monolithic riffs and experimental minimalism, with moments of surprising melody offering contrast.
Misunderstood by a label ill-equipped to market it, Phase 3 bridges metal, ambient, and experimental music, cementing Earth’s reputation among avant-garde audiences and influencing generations of isolationist and drone artists.