The brand new SUNN O))) album cometh

MAXIMUM VOLUME YIELDS MAXMUM RESULTS is a statement which perfectly encapsulates the essence of SUNN O))). The group have always revolved around the foundation of two heavily amplified and saturated electric guitars, and over the years the ensemble has grown and evolved in many ways.

This year, after ten years of existence, SUNN O))) are going to be releasing their seventh studio album Monoliths & Dimensions on Southern Lord (artwork by the eminent artist Richard Serra). This work spanned a year and a half and in the words of SUNN O))) "resulted in our most intense, mature and off-a-point-of-reference work to date."

On this new album they have worked with long time collaborators; Oren Ambarchi and vocalist Attila Csihar and have also enlisted a host of other incredible musicians. Eyvind Kang (who has worked with the likes of John Zorn, Marc Ribot and Bill Frisell) is one of these new collaborators and on this record SUNN O))) have worked with the notable composer on various acoustic ensembles in addition to the Helios fueled electric guitars and basses. The band are keen to stress "it is not "SUNN with strings" or "metal bands meets orchestra material" instead they "took an approach concentrating on more of allusion toward the timbre of feedback and the instruments involved, so the piece is really illusory, beautiful and not entirely linear."

Other collaborators include Julian Priester (who worked with Sun Ra in the 50s, was in John Coltrane’s African Brass band, and was in Herbie Hancock’s Sextant band) and Stuart Dempster (new music horn player who plays with Pauline Oliveros in Deep Listening band and had several Cage commissions over the years). There’s also an upright bass trio, French and English horns, harp and flute duo, piano, brass, reed and strings ensembles. And a Viennese woman’s choir led by Persian vocal savant Jessika Kenney. These guests amongst many notable others, none the least being slow music godfather Dylan Carlson.

Here is the track listing for the album:

1. Aghartha (17:34)
2. Big Church [megszentségteleníthetetlenségeskedéseitekért] (09:43)
3. Hunting & Gathering (Cydonia) (10:02)
4. Alice (16:21)

If like us you find all this news extremely exciting then keep your ears to the ground as they will be unleashing this beast in May. SUNN O))) are playing a few select dates across mainland Europe and have one show confirmed in the UK in London. The details for the latter are as follows.

Sunday February 22nd
7 pm. £12 advance / £15 OTD

Baba Yaga's Hut presents - SUNN O))) and Grumbling Fur at Corsica Studios in London

With honor, SUNN O))) is announcing one exclusive live performance in the United Kingdom to recognize the 10th anniversary of SUNN O)))’s creation, and to coincide with the recording of the first album…The GrimmRobe Demos. SUNN O))) will be playing material from GrimmRobes exclusively. It will be a return to their primal origins, and approach respecting a concept of shoshin (初心), the beginner’s mind, the yet undyed pure wool, the clarity in initiation upon the untraveled. The attitude of embodying the basics precisely, point by point, line by line, with an immovable faith in the teaching, experience and of beyond the possibility. Of openness, eagerness, and lack of preconceptions when approaching, even with much experience, just as a beginner would upon the initial impetus and thirst to seek the path. And so, with this mindset, they will be approaching these live concerts. Pure, raw, uninhibited invocations featuring O)))s core members: Stephen O’Malley and Greg Anderson ONLY. No guests, no vocals, no keyboards. We hope you will join us….

Support comes from Grumbling Fur featuring Alexander Tucker and Daniel O'Sullivan (Guapo, Mothlite)

Keep checking the Southern website for more news about the new album, confirmed shows and details of the bands back-catalogue which is available through the webshop.