Black One

I honestly cannot find a better soundtrack to my own worst nightmares and terrifying imaginings than Sunn 0))) have created with this album. While the majority of people seem to think that heaviness is achieved through speed and aggression, Sunn know that crushingly slow riffs, buzzing feedback and eerie shrieks, screams, and cries are the way to strike true fear into the hearts of its listeners. Sunn 0))) has transcended the limitations of a band; they are a purely evil wall of sound. Be warned; the compositions found on this album are certainly not for the weak of heart.

Following White1 and White2, Sunn have created their heaviest work, if not their best. "Sin Nanna" starts as an adequate introduction, its ambient clanging and buzzing set the tone for the rest of the album. "It Took the Night to Believe" is an interesting composition. When I first heard it, I was very surprised by the creepy tremolo-picked riff that compliments the droning bass behind it. It seems to me that the bands black metal influence shines through the most on this album. My theory is supported by the bands cover of Immortal's "Cursed Realms (Of the winterdemons). I am not familiar with the original song, seeing as I am not much of an Immortal fan, but the cover stands on its own.

"Orthodox Caveman" is the most straight-forward drone track on the album, with the repetitious, pummeling riffs that we've grown to expect from Sunn 0))). "Candlegoat" is very similar in style to the previous song (as expected), but the addition of some sparingly used vocals change it up. "Cry for the Weeper" and "Bathory Erzebet" are fine conclusions to this incredibly dark, creepy, and overpowering album.

Black One is a very unique album, even by Sunn 0)))'s standards. The tracks are not all as long as the majority of their songs, with several songs under the ten-minute mark, and one hitting 10:00 exactly. This album is a good start for anyone interested in Sunn's work, although I cannot think of any bad way to start listening to this great band.