Sunn O))) is an American drone metal/experimental band based in New York, N… Read Full Bio ↴Sunn O))) is an American drone metal/experimental band based in New York, NY and Los Angeles, CA and formed in 1998. The band’s core members consist of Stephen O’Malley (Khanate, Burning Witch, Sarin, Teeth of Lions Rule the Divine, Lotus Eaters, Ginnungagap, Thorr’s Hammer, Fungal Hex, KTL, Æthenor, Gravetemple) and Greg Anderson (Goatsnake, Thorr’s Hammer, Burning Witch, Teeth of Lions Rule the Divine, Brotherhood, Engine Kid, False Liberty, Burial Chamber Trio, Ascend). The band was formed as a tribute of sorts to Earth, another very heavy band noted as the pioneers of drone metal. G. Stuart Dahlquist currently of Asva and ex-Burning Witch performed bass on The Grimmrobe Demos and ØØ Void.

The band is named after the Sunn amplifier brand, whose logo includes a circle next to the “SUNN” banner with waves heading off to the right - reading those out as letters makes “Sunn O)))”. The band uses the same logo for their albums as well.
Pan Sonic (known as Panasonic before legal issues took away the letter A) was two guys (Mika Vainio and Ilpo Väisänen) project from Finland, who started out with long-term, low-frequency, high-decibel experiments and organizing rave parties in the country where “hardly anything happens ever”. The minimalistic music of Pan Sonic is composed “from a forbidding array of pure tones, sinewaves, pulses, electronic squelches and ultrasonic waveforms,” and a humorous attitude, “skilfully arranged into an accessible rhythmic package” mainly taken from the bowels of custom-built sinewave generators.

Given songs titled “Kurnutus” or “Rutina” (that is “Croaking” and “Crackle”), the environmental buzz, crackles and hums emanating from the speakers are hardly a surprise. Despite suggesting a harmless set of natural (sounding) frequencies, Pan Sonic have built up a reputation for fearsome live volume levels and atonal indulgence.

CHE
Sunn O))) & Pan Sonic Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Che, Che
Well, alright
Came to say
Let's all pray
Hurray, hurray

Che, Che
He's wearing a red star

Smoking his cigar
And when he died
The whole world lied
They said he was a saint
But I know he ain't

Che, Che
Hurray, hurray
Che, Che
Che, Che

Hurray, hurray
Hurray, hurray

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Sunn O))) and Pan Sonic's song Che are intriguing and thought-provoking. The song seems to be an ode to the revolutionary figure Che Guevara. The song opens with the repetition of Che's name, followed by the words "Well, alright. Came to say. Let's all pray. Hurray, hurray." The repetition of 'hurray' indicates a sense of excitement, joy, and celebration. The lyrics seem to be referring to the idea of revolution and Che's role in it, as it was through his revolutionary ideals that he aimed to bring about change and improvement to his people.

The lyrics go on to describe Che's physical appearance with the line, "He's wearing a red star, smoking his cigar." Che's physical appearance and his trademark hat with a star on it are iconic symbols of his revolutionary ideals. The next line, "And when he died, the whole world lied," seems to be a reference to the deception and misrepresentation of his ideals after his death. The final line, "But I know he ain't," suggests that the singer still feels strongly about Che's ideals, even if they have been misrepresented.

Overall, the song's lyrics are a commentary on the revolutionary ideals that Che Guevara stood for and the impact his legacy had on the world. His physical appearance and revolutionary principles became iconic symbols for many who were inspired to fight for a better future.

Line by Line Meaning

Che, Che
Addressing the revolutionary icon, Che Guevara

Well, alright
Expressing a positive sentiment or agreement

Came to say
Acknowledging the act of speaking out

Let's all pray
Suggesting the need for unity and hope

Hurray, hurray
Expressing excitement or cheers

He's wearing a red star
Describing Che's political affiliation and symbolism

Smoking his cigar
Portraying Che's iconic look and habits

And when he died
Referring to Che's execution in Bolivia in 1967

The whole world lied
Implying that the media and public misconstrued Che's legacy

They said he was a saint
Depicting the glorification of Che's image and life story

But I know he ain't
Expressing a critical perspective on Che's historical impact