Thursday, 29 October 2009

Sunn O))) - Monoliths & Dimensions (2009)

The 7th full length album from drone legends Sunn O))), Monoliths & Dimensions is a 4 track masterpiece. Featuring a host of collaborators, including Eyvind Kang, Oren Ambarchi, Jessika Kenney, Attila Csihar and Dylan Carlson, among others, the album is a perfect follow up to the 2006 Alter album. 

Opening track Aghartha provides you with exactly what you expect from Greg Anderson and Stephen O'Malley, the deep slow bass tones and grainy guitars. Half way through we are introduced to the almost terrifying vocals from Attila Csihar (Tormentor) who’s slow, almost speaking approach is combined with what can only be described as the eerie sound of creaking wood. 

Big Church (Megszentségteleníthetetlenségeskedéseitekért) the second track begins with a very different approach, a Viennese women’s choir, led by Persian vocalist Jessika Kenney, provides more intensity than conceivable. Reasonably short at only 9.43 minutes long the track is not a let down, escalating into various vocal parts over lapping, creating a feeling of unease. 

Hunting & Gathering (Cydonia) with its numerous guitar parts and thundering horns section, together with a full male choir, provides a crushing musical experience. One of the more distressing songs on the album.

This track leading straight into the final song Alice with its escalating beginning, taking almost 2 minutes to really begin. What we are greeted with then is a slow, yet very heavy underlying guitar sound, together with an almost beautiful horns section, both working together, the contrast of the two sounds leaves a lasting impression. Softly placed in the background we hear the sound of harps and a minimal percussion section, fading the song out, leaving you more than satisfied with the listening experience.  

Sunn O))) are always pushing the boundaries with their music and this is no different, a must have for any drone/noise fan, one album that will be at the top of my play list for a long time to come.  


Matthew Wright

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