Sunn O)))

Infobox musical artist
Name = Sunn O)))

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Img_capt = Sunn O))) at The Middle East in 2006
Landscape = Yes
Background = group_or_band
Origin = Los Angeles, California, USA New York City, New York, USA
Genre = Drone metal Black ambient
Years_active = 1998 – present
Label = Southern Lord
URL =
Current_members = Stephen O'Malley Greg Anderson

Sunn O))) (pronounced simply "sun") is an American drone metal band in its broadest sense; however, it incorporates elements of the dark ambient, black metal and noise genres as well. The band consists of Stephen O'Malley (Khanate, Burning Witch) and Greg Anderson (Goatsnake).cite web |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/28/magazine/28artmetal.html?ei=5090&en=68f0bcd99797d7a3&ex=1306468800&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss&pagewanted=all |title=Heady Metal |accessdate=2007-10-12 |author=John Wray |date=May 28, 2006 |work= |publisher=New York Times]

History

O'Malley and Anderson met in Seattle in 1991, when they were in high school and community college, respectively. Sunn O))) is named after the Sunn amplifier brand, whose logo includes a circle next to the "SUNN" banner with waves heading off to the right (the band use this logo in the cover art of many releases); a literal interpretation of the logo produces "Sunn O)))". In interviews Stephen O'Malley has stated the name was also chosen as a play on the name of the band Earth, pioneers of drone music throughout the 1990s, reasoning that Sunn O))) "revolved around Earth." However, before the band members moved to Los Angeles the duo were called Mars, in another tribute to Earth.

Their sound is extremely slow and heavy, using droning guitars, frequently heavily drop-tuned to extremely low tunings such as drop A and drop B, accompanied by feedback and other sound effects to create their soundscapes. There is very little drumming and a lack of any discernible beat. When performing live the band wear 'grim robes' (long hooded cloaks), fill the air with fog, and play at deafening volume.

The band release most of their music through the label they founded in 1998, Southern Lord Records. However, they released "ØØ Void", their second album, on Rise Above Records, Hydra Head Records, and Dirter Productions, with the latter pressing the album as a double vinyl. "The Grimmrobe Demos" was first released also on Hydra Head Records. It was later issued as a double picture record set by Outlaw Recordings and finally reissued by Southern Lord in 2004.

Recently, Sunn O))) has been experimenting with a variety of drone styles and sounds, progressing the primarily guitar and bass style of "The Grimmrobe Demos" and "ØØ Void". On "White1" and "White2", Sunn O))) noticeably expanded on conceptualization by inviting several guests (see collaborations below), resulting in everything from quiet meditative ambient sounds ("A Shaving of the Horn that Speared You" from "White1") to a bizarre bass experiment track ("bassAliens" from "White2"). "Black One" continues this direction, utilizing far more electronics, synthesis and other instrumentation than earlier Sunn O))) material, yet still marking a significant return to their traditional sound.

Unlike related artists in the drone metal and dark ambient fields, they have enjoyed a high level of popularity from fans, and are widely regarded as leaders in the genre.

In the May 28, 2006, edition of "The New York Times Magazine", Sunn O))) was featured in an article called "Heady Metal," with both members in their signature cloaks.

In the August 2007 issue of Q Magazine ( the "loud issue"), White1 was named the 18th heaviest album of all time, just above AC/DCs Back in Black and below Aphex Twin's album ...I Care Because You Do.

On August 8, 2008, Sunn O))) announced that they would do a mini-tour consisting of four concerts to commemorate the 10th anniversary for the release of The Grimmrobe Demos. [ [http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=38247 Sunn O))) Announces US Tour Dates: News @ metal-underground.com] ]

Collaborations with other artists

The band has notably and often collaborated with a wide variety of artists.

*Author/musician/occultist Julian Cope provided the spoken word 'vocals' for the 25-minute song "My Wall" on "White1", telling a Wodenist death tale that takes place upon England's prehistoric 46-mile land barrier Wandsdyke, Cope integrating Messrs O'Malley and Anderson into the fabric of the text.
*Attila Csihar, best known for his vocal work on Mayhem's classic black metal album "De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas", performed vocals for the songs "Decay [The Symptoms of Kali Yuga] " and "Decay2 [Nihils' Maw] " on the album "White2", quoting directly from the Srimad Bhagavatam. Recently he has also been performing live with the band, and additionally contributes to new EP "Oracle".
*Joe Preston known for his work in Earth, Thrones, The Melvins and High on Fire contributed to the recordings of both the "White1" & "White2" albums as well as the EP Oracle.
*Runhild Gammelsæter from Thorr's Hammer contributed with vocals on the song "The Gates of Ballard", from "White 1".
*G. Stuart Dahlquist of Asva and Burning Witch contributed to the recording of "The Grimmrobe Demos", "ØØ Void", and the track "FWTBT" on "Flight of the Behemoth".
*Peter Stahl and Petra Haden contributed to the recording of "ØØ Void".
*Japanese noise master Merzbow worked with the band on the tracks 'O)))Bow1' and 'O)))Bow2' on "Flight of the Behemoth".
*Rex Ritter of Jessamine and Fontanelle contributed live and on the production of both "White1" & "White2".
*Dawn Smithson of Jessamine contributed live and on the recording of "White2".
*Anthony Sylvester and Savage Pencil contributed to the recording of "Candlewolf of the Golden Chalice".
*Malefic from Xasthur and Wrest from Leviathan provided vocals on "Black One".
*Oren Ambarchi and John Wiese contributed to the creation of "Black One", providing experimental guitar and electronic elements and other instrumentation. John Wiese toured with the band across Australia, Europe and Scandinavia in 2005. Oren Ambarchi has since become a regular live performer with the band.
*Malefic from Xasthur and John Wiese contributed on the track "Coma Mirror" on "AngelComa".
*Ulver provided production and contributions to the track "CUT WOODeD" on "WHITEbox".
*Thomas Nieuwenhuizen from Beaver, God, and Jesus and the Gospel Fuckers has appeared on "Solistitium Fulminate", "AngelComa" on Micromoog, Moog Taurus and Moog Rogue, and continues to perform with the group as an integral live member.
* Collaborated with Boris on "Altar".
* Guitarist Justin Broadrick, formerly of Napalm Death and Godflesh, currently playing with Final and Jesu, has played live with the band in their late 2006 tour of the UK and Ireland, as well as in a few west coast dates in 2007.
*Other live collaborators have included Peter Rehberg, Kevin Drumm, Lasse Marhaug, Bill Herzog, Holy McGrail and Robin Fox.

Cover songs

Sunn O))) occasionally covers songs by other bands, reinterpreting them to fit their style.

*"Rabbit's Revenge" from "ØØ Void" (cover of The Melvins' "Hung Bunny")
*"FWTBT" from "Flight of the Behemoth" (cover of Metallica's "For Whom the Bell Tolls" - the full title is "F.W.T.B.T (I Dream of Lars Ulrich Being Thrown Through the Bus Window instead of My Master Mystikall Kliff Burton)")
*"Teeth of Lions Rule the Divine" from "Cro-Monolithic Remixes for an Iron Age" (Earth cover)
*"Catch-22 (Surrender or Die)" from "Cro-Monolithic Remixes for an Iron Age" (Merzbow cover)
*"Cursed Realms (Of the Winterdemons)" from "Black One" (Immortal cover), although only the lyrics are used.
*"Báthory Erzsébet" from "Black One" can be said to be a loose (even by Sunn standards) cover of "A Fine Day to Die" by Bathory.
*"CandleGoat" from "Black One" also quotes the lyrics from "Freezing Moon" by Mayhem.

Discography

Demos

*"The Grimmrobe Demos" (demo 1998, CD 2000, 2xPLP 2003, 2xLP 2004)

EPs

*"Veils It White" (12" 2003)
*"Cro-Monolithic Remixes for an Iron Age" (12" 2004)
*"Candlewolf of the Golden Chalice" (12" 2005)
*"Oracle" (12", CD & 2XCD 2007)

LPs

*"ØØ Void" (CD 2000, 2xLP 2003)
*"Flight of the Behemoth" (CD & 2xLP 2002)
*"White1" (CD & 2xLP 2003)
*"White2" (CD & 2xLP 2004)
*"Black One" & "Solstitium Fulminate" (2xCD 2005, ltd. 2000 copies)
*"Black One" (CD 2005, 2xLP 2006)

Live Albums

*"The Libations of Samhain" (live CD 2003)
*"Live White" (live 2xCD 2004)
*"Live Action Sampler" (promotional mix 2xCD 2004)
*"La Mort Noir dans Esch/Alzette" (Live CD limited to 1000 machine-numbered copies, sold on 2006 tour) (2006)
*"Dømkirke (live 2xLP 2008)

plit albums and collaborations

*"AngelComa" (Limited edition split LP single with Earth) (LP 2006)
*"Altar" (collaboration with Boris, CD 2006, 2xCD ltd. 5000 2006, 3xLP 2007)

Stephen O'Malley and Greg Anderson also play on the album "Rampton" by Teeth Of Lions, Rule The Divine. A collaboration including Lee Dorrian of Cathedral on vocals and Justin Greaves (ex-Iron Monkey, Electric Wizard) on drums.

ingles

*"The Horn And The Spear (EMS Remix)" (Digital 2004)

Box Sets

*"WHITEbox" (4xLP boxed set reissue of White albums, ltd. 450 w/ both versions of the song "DECAY" and bonus track "CUT WOODeD") (2006)

Audio samples

References

External links

* [http://www.southernlord.com Southern Lord Records]
* [http://www.ideologic.org Stephen O'Malley's Homepage]
* [http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/28/magazine/28artmetal.html?ei=5090&en=68f0bcd99797d7a3&ex=1306468800&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss&pagewanted=all New York Times article about the band]
* [http://outsideleft.com/main.php?updateID=718 review of "Altar" on outsideleft.com]