Big congratulations to Jon Buckland, whose first time writing for leading music/culture portal The Quietus is a review of this 'album of the week' effort from Sunn O))). Always an intriguing prospect in a live setting, Jon and I were reminiscing about seeing them at Coalition in Brighton, 2012.
The Sunn O))) experience is largely about the pure physicality of sound. Something you feel, more than hear. 'Maximum volume yields maximum results' is their motto, but this is no abrasive din. Instead, a careful study of the low and midrange frequencies, the name itself borrowed from a particularly formidable brand of amplification. When I inserted my earplugs (provided) it didn't really lessen the volume, but rather made it seem like the sound was coming from inside me.
On this occasion their usual wall-of-amps was supplemented by what's known in the trade as a 'quad PA.' So that basically means speakers at the back of the venue, as well as the front. Long story short, at the end of the event the audience were left brushing off the dust and fragments of ceiling which had rained down during the performance.
Have a read of Jon's finely flowing phonetic flourishes, by tapping, clicking, or doing something with this picture...
