New York, October 15, 2008 -- Let it be said that you can leave a SUNN O))) concert, but a SUNN O))) concert never quite leaves you. Imagine wearing SPF 50 to the beach and still getting a sunburn and that'll give you an idea of what SUNN O))) can do to ear drums. At the time of writing this article my ears are still ringing despite wearing ear plugs rated for 33 dB for the entirety of the ninety plus minute set at the Knitting Factory Wednesday night.

The occasion marked the tenth anniversary of their debut record, The Grimmrobe Demos, released on Hydra Head Records in 1998. For those of you unfamiliar with SUNN O))) and its two members, Greg Anderson and Stephen O'Malley, both play guitar -- there are no drums. On stage they wear ceremonial robes and make use of two guitars, four guitar amplifier stacks, four bass cabinets, a couple bottles of wine, and a fog machine. Bring together these elements and add to the recipe a patience to play a single chord every five minutes at maximum volume and voilà you get the droning guitars that have been the signature sound of SUNN O))) for the last decade.

In isolation neither pictures nor recordings of SUNN O))) do them justice. The mere sight of robed figures of Anderson and O'Malley playing guitars calls to mind Spinal Tap and all that comedy act entails. The similarities end there, however as Wednesday night's performance of its constant and uninterrupted guitar droning provided anything but levity. The live performance absolutely trumps the recording because ain't no iPod nor home stereo goes that loud. This volume simply cannot be underestimated as it is felt in the body long after the show has concluded. Toward the end of the set fans were so enthralled they rushed the stage with outstretched arms in a sort of hypnotic tribute to these prophets of doom metal. Financial markets are down and the end might be nigh, but at least SUNN O))) has given us all an unforgettable score.

Review and photos by Damien Neva