Sunn O))) & Boris - Altar (Southern Lord)
5/5
By: Thomas Hannan
As both bands are at pains to stress, 'Altar' is not a split album. It doesn't see Sunn O))) (don't even try and pronounce it) do their thing and Boris do theirs. It's a collaboration, much like the Melvins Fantomas Big Band live album - except nobody on this record was drunk (we forgive Patton, Buzz and co. though, it was New Year's Eve after all). And though you hipsters are probably here because you've heard of Sunn O))), be not under the impression that Boris are any less important. This couldn't be further from the truth.
Take the opening 'Etna' for example - a great long drone, which Sunn O))) fans will be used to and revel in, but peppered by brilliant use of full drum kit percussion, which they might not be expecting quite so much. That's Boris, and the way this track works so well will give you an idea of what a huge influence they're having on this project. The drumming doesn't need to be particularly heavy because the music is crushingly so (apart from gongs that is - it's always a good time to whack a gong). It carries on with its droning for nearly six minutes before the collaboration really comes in to its own with one hell of a sludgey riff, and good Lord is it rewarding. Dark and evil in tone though it is, how much fun must it be to play on 'Etna'? If you're not playing that riff from hell or drumming your arse off, you're responsible for that ear piercing screeching sound! Now that's an afternoon. Well spent.
Occasionally, Boris will do a bit of what Sunn O))) do, and indulge in drone - second track 'N.L.T.' is like this. There are indeed more swooshing, sweeping sounds here than you'd get on a normal (yeah right, normal) Sunn O))) track, but that inimitable rumble's there all the same. At 3.49, for Sunn O))), you'll note that it's relatively pop, in terms of how digestible it is at least. But lo and behold, here's a band who could do pop all along! Listen, hark will you, at 'The Sinking Belle (Blue Sheep)'. It's got a melody, it's got a chorus (heck, it's got words - that's odd enough for these bands), it's got me in flipping tears. It's beautiful. It's what this whole project is about - getting together to feed off each other, try out what it is the other does best, but ultimately make something new out of it. A new band. A new sound. A new way for music. It's an utter delight. You'll hum it to yourself next time you're trying to get to sleep in a strange place, mark my words.
What you won't hum, mind, is 'Akuma No Kuma' - heck, I'm amazed I can even hear it without having dogs ears transplanted on to the side of my head. I don't think I've ever heard frequencies like it before. It's not devoid of tune - just devoid of any reward. But these two bands know how to keep the tension going in such a way that the absence of pay off isn't really a problem. Just listening to it develop, getting to hear some sodding brass for a change, it's all a pleasure, despite the sound being so unnerving.
Now, if 'Sinking Belle' is what you'll sing when you go to sleep in a weird place, 'Fried Eagle Mind' (what a f**king title) will probably be the sound that greets you as you wake up in a cold sweat. It's a sonic fever. It's terrifying, especially its descent in to clamour at the end. Sheesh, I need a fifteen minute collection of prehistoric hums to calm me down. Oh, you got one? It's called 'Blood Swamp'? Ideal.
'Altar' is impeccable, one of the few really new sounds we've heard all year, and one of the records 2006 will be remembered for. Just think - there are actually people out there who still listen to The Feeling.
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