Metallic Spheres by The Orb Featuring David Gilmour, 2010.
I've discussed David Gilmour extensively in reviews of his solo work and that of Pink Floyd.
His collaboration with The Orb, British pioneers of ambient house (particularly Alex Paterson and Youth), gave rise to a unique musical project focused on ambient, electronic, and experimental sounds. This collaboration began in 2009, when The Orb and Youth were involved in the remix of a version of "Chicago/Change The World" (a song by Graham Nash) recorded by Gilmour in support of British hacker Gary McKinnon. The studio work proved so productive that they decided to continue recording, resulting in a full-length album.
Gilmour's distinctive guitars and lap steel intertwine with The Orb's sonic manipulations, sampling, and ambient landscapes. This unique musical style is an amalgamation of ambient house, cosmic psychedelia, and space rock. The producers describe the project's sonic philosophy as a blend of the Blade Runner soundtrack and Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here album.
The Orb, often called the "ambient Pink Floyd band" for the rave generation, found a natural partner in David Gilmour. The Orb handles the electronics, creating ethereal soundscapes with layers of synthesizers, sonic manipulations, and recordings of natural sounds like waterfalls and leaves. Despite the strong electronic component, Gilmour's guitar is crucial, adding a spatial and expansive atmosphere to the project. His signature guitar playing, with long notes, deep reverb, and melodic solos that "float" above the electronic textures, further enriches The Orb's sound.
The fruit of this collaboration is the album "Metallic Spheres," released on October 12, 2010. It was followed by "Metallic Spheres In Colour" (2023), which I'll discuss in more detail in a future review. I can already anticipate that the two versions feature significant stylistic differences.
"Metallic Spheres" (2010) is a longer, more reflective album, featuring suites that run around 20-28 minutes and also include vocal samples. "Metallic Spheres In Colour" (2023), on the other hand, offers a leaner, more rhythmic reinterpretation. This version eliminates some vocals and leans closer to The Orb's classic sound, with a more beat-oriented first half and an entirely ambient second.
"Metallic Spheres" is an album divided into two long, ambient suites, designed to be listened to continuously. The first, "Metallic Side," runs about 28 minutes, while the second, "Spheres Side," is around 20 minutes.
"Metallic Side" is the one most reminiscent of Pink Floyd's style. It begins with ambient sounds and the tinkling of bells. Around the tenth minute, Gilmour's guitar emerges with its signature sustain, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of "Echoes."
"Spheres Side," on the other hand, departs from Pink Floyd's style, moving closer to that of The Orb. This track is more rhythmic and hypnotic, with vocal samples (such as interview snippets and nature sounds) and deep bass typical of ambient dub. Alex Paterson's electronics take center stage.
A niche gem that I greatly appreciated and recommend to lovers of ambient music and fans of David Gilmour's more experimental side.
Tracklist
My Version:
Label: Columbia – 19802943141, Sony Music – 19802943141, Columbia – C - 776044
Format: 2 x Vinyl, LP, Album, Record Store Day, Reissue, Stereo, Metallic Sunrise
Country: Worldwide
Release Date: November 28, 2025
Tracks:
1. Metallic Side (28:42) :
- a) Metallic Spheres
- b) Hymns to the Sun
- c) Black Graham
- d) Hiding in Plain View
- e) Classified
2. Spheres Side (20:12) :
- a) Es Vedra
- b) Hymns to the Sun (reprise)
- c) Olympic
- d) Chicago Dub
- e) Bold Knife Trophy
Duration 48:54
LineUp
- David Gilmour - guitars, vocals
- Alex Paterson - keyboards, sound manipulation, turntables
- Martin "Youth" Glover - bass, keyboards, programming, producer
- Tim Bran - keyboards, programming
Note: All links to the musicians' works are in the TAGS under the article title or on the "Artists" page.
