Friday, March 7, 2008

Sunn O))) & Boris: Altar (4.5/5)

















Year: 2006
Label: Southern Lord
Genre: Atmospheric Drone
TRT: 53:43

I picked this album up on a complete whim because the packaging was so sleek and appealing. I'm a casual fan of both bands, but nothing could have prepared me for what was lying in wait.

This album completely shocked me, because it is almost nothing like what I would have expected either group involved to release. When I think of Sunn O))) I think of plodding, destroyingly loud static-filled wall-of-sound and Boris will forever be labeled as "drone" in my mind (however unfair that may be).

While Altar is definately a drone release, it's calming, seductive and absolutely, stunningly, beautiful. Again, nothing could have prepared me for something like this. I don't normally like to highlight certain tracks on an album, as I'd rather let you make up your own mind as to which songs are the best, but The Sinking Belle (Blue Sheep) literally took my breath away. If you listene to nothing else of this record, listen to that one song.

Altar is by far my favorite release from either collaborator, and I long for more such releases. The sum truly is greater than its parts.

01 Etna
02 N.L.T.
03 The Sinking Belle (Blue Sheep)
04 Akuma No Kuma
05 Fried Eagle Mind
06 Blood Swamp

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

fucking awesome album, opened up my eyes to the world of drone, but it's definitely way more than a drone album. so good.

Anonymous said...

Amazing album. Introduced me to Boris and gave me tremendous inspiration in my own work. Sinking Belle's mentioning is indeed earned. The track has somehow amazing indiesque lyrics and Jesse Sykes' delivery is delicious. The sonicscapes are one of the best ever. These guys really know how to make music that is not only good music but also sounds divine. The reverbs and delays! Oh, dear.