Sunn O))) & Boris

cover: SNN62 southern lord

Altar CD/3xLP

Release Date: Oct 23, 2006

  1. Etna
  2. N.L.T.
  3. Sinking Belle
  4. Akuma Kuma
  5. Fried Eagle Mind
  6. Blood Swamp

The first collaboration between Southern Lord's two kingpins of avant- metal, "Altar" is surely the most eagerly-anticipated extreme music release for some time. The wedding of Sunn O)))'s brutal drone symphonies with Boris' kaleidoscopic noise results in a wholly unique album that alchemically merges familiar elements of each band's sound into a transfigured, mysterious whole; roaring drones rise and collapse beneath blasts of disorienting, warped horns, the end result a heaving, psychedelic mass that looks set to induct yet more devotees to the shadowy explorations of both acts. The album features various contributions from other artists, including Jess Sykes, who provides haunting, melodic vocals on "Sinking Belle" Kim Thayil (Soundgarden), who contributes some enthralling guitar work to the album closer; and Joe Preston (Earth, Thrones, Melvins, High On Fire) , whose psychedelic vocal style is present on "Akuma Kuma." The end result is a mind-blowing sludge of cathartic, blurred noise.