Sunn O))) is named after the Sunn amplifier brand, the logo of which includes a circle next to the "SUNN" banner with waves heading off to the right. In interviews, Stephen O'Malley stated that the band's moniker was also chosen as a play on the name Earth, a band widely regarded as pioneers of drone metal throughout the 1990s. Before the band members moved to Los Angeles, they briefly used the moniker Mars.
The band's style is characterized by extremely slow tempos, heavily distorted guitars, avoidance of rhythm and melody, and alternative tunings. The guitars are notable for their low register, frequently utilizing tunings as low as dropped A. Additionally, the band is known for using resonant feedback to create monolithic soundscapes and eerie atmospheres. Percussion is almost never incorporated, with a lack of any discernible beat. When performing live, the band wears robes, fills the air with fog, and plays at an extremely high volume.
The band releases the majority of its music through the label it founded in 1998, Southern Lord Records. However, the band initially released ØØ Void (its second album) on multiple labels, including Rise Above Records, Hydra Head Records, and Dirter Productions (which pressed it as a double album on vinyl). Additionally, the original pressing of The Grimmrobe Demos was released by Hydra Head Records. It was later issued as a double picture record set by Outlaw Recordings and finally reissued by Southern Lord in 2004.
Sunn O))) experiments with a variety of styles and sounds, progressing beyond 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 continued in this direction, utilizing far more electronics, synthesizers, and other instrumentation than earlier Sunn O))) material, yet still marking a significant return to their traditional sound.
Sunn O))) are widely regarded as leaders in their genre, including by The New York Times Magazine of May 28, 2006, when the band was written up in an article called "Heady Metal" by John Wray[8]. The band was praised in an issue of Wonka Vision, an independent music magazine, as one of the greatest modern metal acts. Sunn O))) also appeared in the August 2007 issue of Q magazine (the "loud issue"), with its album White1 being named the 18th-loudest album of all time, just above AC/DCs Back in Black and below Jimi Hendrix's Are You Experienced?[
In 2008, Sunn O))) released a live album titled Dømkirke and also announced a mini-tour consisting of four concerts to commemorate the group's 10th anniversary, which coincided with the release of The Grimmrobe Demos.
The band's seventh studio album, Monoliths & Dimensions, was released on May 18, 2009, and was acclaimed by both press and public alike.
On December 17, 2009, the song "Hunting & Gathering (Cydonia)" from the CD Monoliths & Dimensions was named the Heaviest Song of All-Time by Jason Ellis on The Jason Ellis Show on Sirius/XM. Greg Anderson then appeared on The Jason Ellis Show on January 12, 2010.
The band played the ATP New York 2010 music festival in Monticello, New York, during September 2010, where it collaborated with Boris to perform the Altar album live.
For live performances, Hungarian-born Attila Csihar (Mayhem) has performed as the primary vocalist since 2003.
Sunn O))) released a collaboration album with Ulver titled Terrestrials in February 2014:[14] in October 2014, the band released the album Soused, a collaboration with singer-songwriter Scott Walker.[15] In November 2015, Sunn O))) presented a four-day program at Le Guess Who? Festival in Utrecht, the Netherlands, including Annette Peacock, Magma, Julia Holter and The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, and Sunn O))) itself.
Sunn O))) contributed to the original score of the horror film The Devil's Candy, which was released on March 17, 2017.
The band worked with producer Steve Albini on two albums, Life Metal (Released in April 2019) and Pyroclasts (Released in October 2019).
Big Church
Sunn O))) Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Deconsecration perhaps is the opposite of oneness in a sacred sense"
The lyrics to Sunn O)))'s song "Big Church" seem to address the idea of deconsecration, which can be loosely defined as the act of removing or taking away sacredness or holiness from something. The lines "For your repeated incapabilities of having been 'unholified'" suggest that the subject has repeatedly failed to become "unholy" or lose their sacredness. This could be interpreted as a criticism of religious institutions or individuals who claim to be holy, but are actually incapable of embodying that identity.
The next line "Deconsecration perhaps is the opposite of oneness in a sacred sense" offers an interesting interpretation of the concept of oneness. Generally, oneness implies a sense of unity or wholeness, but the lyrics suggest that in a sacred sense, the opposite of oneness is actually deconsecration. It is as if the presence of sacredness requires separation and differentiation from that which is unholy.
Overall, the lyrics to "Big Church" are complex and open to interpretation. They seem to be critiquing the idea of sacredness and holiness, perhaps suggesting that these concepts are ultimately unattainable and limiting.
Line by Line Meaning
For your repeated incapabilities of having been 'unholified'
Your repeated failures to become unholy have led you to this situation.
Deconsecration perhaps is the opposite of oneness in a sacred sense
The act of deconsecration goes against the idea of sacred unity.
Contributed by Colin B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
MRKRINKL
Was in a concert - after two hours I recognized this is not a sound check!
@mythago666
If ancient druids would have had low-tuned electric guitars, this would be their sound.
@AgainstTheeWickedlyMusic
Music Nerd Fun Fact: The progression of that the choir sings before starting the "chant" with the name of the song is the same melody and harmony that's used at the end of Gustav Holst's "Neptune: The Mystic."
@jamesduffy7549
walking home at night with this in your headphones has you looking over your shoulder and speed walking home ahaha
@litchofcamelot8669
If it was me would probably walk slower and accept my fate , smoke a joint and let it ride .
@plinkertonman
"aight lemme change that"
@theKashConnoisseur
Nah man this the kind of tune that got me meeting every MF's eye on my walk home, looking at 'em like "I'll take your soul next if you so much as try me" lol
@nonyabiddnuss4848
This is the only song that gives me goosebumps every time I listen.
@shinrarango
the rising tension ane sudden dissapation with the church bell is beautiful
@asherlocketz7542
The power and otherworldly resonance of Sunn0))) is unmistakable. I kneel at their sonic altar in subservience and worship. For years have i been beholden to their bludgeoning drones and ethereal soundscapes. When Atilla is present the sonic narrative only increases in intensity. Blessings from beyond the veil.