Sunn O)))

Sunn O))) (pronounced "sun") is an American drone metal band formed in 1998 in Seattle, Washington. The band is known for its distinctive visual style and slow, heavy sound, which blends diverse genres including doom metal, drone, black metal, dark ambient, and noise rock,<ref name="allmusic genres">Template:Cite web</ref> as well as for their extremely loud live performances.

The band's core members are Stephen O'Malley (also of Khanate and Burning Witch) and Greg Anderson (of Goatsnake and Engine Kid).<ref name="NYT">Template:Cite news</ref>

History

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 name 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 name Mars.Template:Cn

The band's style is characterized by slow tempos, distorted guitars, lack of rhythm and melody, and alternative tunings. The guitars are notable for their low register, frequently utilizing tunings as low as drop A. Additionally, the band is known for using resonant feedback to create monolithic soundscapes and eerie atmospheres. Percussion is rarely incorporated, with a lack of any discernible beat. When performing live, the band wears robes, fills the air with fog, and plays at a high volume.<ref name="NYT"/>

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.Template:Cn

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The logo the band uses is also that of the Sunn amplifier brand. Stephen O'Malley has stated the band licenses the use of the logo from Fender, the owner of the Sunn trademarks.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Hungarian-born Attila Csihar (Mayhem) has performed live with the band as their primary vocalist since 2003.Template:Cn

Sunn O))) released a collaboration album with Ulver titled Terrestrials in February 2014:<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> in October 2014, the band released the album Soused, a collaboration with singer-songwriter Scott Walker.<ref name="soused">Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The band worked with producer Steve Albini on two albums, Life Metal and Pyroclasts.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On October 14, 2025, the band announced that it had signed with Sub Pop Records.<ref>“Sunn O))) Signs to Sub Pop Records!” Retrieved from Bandcamp.com on October 14, 2025.</ref>

Musical style

File:Sunn O))) (7180409975).jpg

Sunn O))) on stage at the Ritz in Manchester, June 11, 2012

Sunn O)))'s musical style has been described as drone metal,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> doom metal,<ref name="allmusic genres"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> experimental metal<ref name=billboard>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> black metal,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="allmusic genres"/> noise rock,<ref name="allmusic genres"/> and dark ambient.<ref name="allmusic genres"/>

Sunn O))) is widely regarded as leaders in the 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Discography

Studio albums

• ØØ Void (2000)
• Flight of the Behemoth (2002)
• White1 (2003)
• White2 (2004)
• Black One (2005)
• Monoliths & Dimensions (2009)
• Kannon (2015)
• Life Metal (2019)
• Pyroclasts (2019)

Collaborative albums

• Altar (with Boris) (2006)
• Terrestrials (with Ulver) (2014)
• Soused (with Scott Walker) (2014)

External links

• Template:Official site
• Southern Lord Records
• Stephen O'Malley official site
• Template:MusicBrainz artist