Sunn O))) & Boris - Altar (2006)

Released on October 31, 2006, 'Altar' is a collaborative album between Sunn O))) and Japanese doom/drone masters Boris. The album is not credited as a split album, but rather as a full length for both Sunn O))) and Boris as members from each of the bands participate on each song. Joining the two bands is also Jesse Sykes, Bill Herzog, and Phil Wandescher (All three from Jesse Sykes and the Sweet Hereafter), Kim Thayil (Soundgarden), Joe Preston (Earth, Thrones, Melvins, High On Fire), Tos Niewenhuizen (Beaver, GOD) and Steve Moore of Earth fame make contributions to this recording.

The first song ‘Etna’ is a nine minute drony doom affair, which starts off with varied percussive work from Boris’ Atsuo, and over time heavy guitars enter the song and it continues to gain in momentum building up to an almost epic territory or at least as epic as drone/doom metal can get. ‘N.L.T.’ is an ambient guitar drone that lasts for almost four minutes and in all honesty I think it would have served well as the introductory song instead. ‘The Sinking Belle (Blue Sheep)’ is an interesting song since it features Jesse Sykes of alternative country band Jesse Sykes and the Sweet Hereafter on vocals. Jesse uses a rather normal voice with no distortion or effects, which is something different for Sunn O))) guest vocalists. Musically the song has a post rock kinda feel to it with light and quite slow distant riffs and percussion alongside a melancholic piano sound. Very Godspeed You Black Emperor-esque sounding.

‘Akuma No Kuma’ is the most experimental song on the releases since no guitars are used, but rather synths and trombone are played in a sluggish manner with treated synthetic vocals from Joe Preston. The music is really fascinating and has an odd sort of experimental electronic vibe to it with even some noisy aspects plus again some varied percussive work. ‘Fried Eagle Mind’ is probably my favorite song on the album. The song carries a very ominous sentiment to it with creepy slowly played guitars and lead whispered vocals from Boris’ guitarist Wata. The feeling of the song is a very dark dreamy experience, which probably isn’t a dream that’s going to end on a positive note. Finally ‘Blood Swamp’ starts out with a few minutes of dark ambiance before heavy guitar riffs enter the song and carry the listener away. Much like the opening song this one starts slow, but builds up, up, up, and up, and well kinda just fades to silence after fourteen minutes. Still interesting enough.

Whilst holding this album in my hand at the record store I was expecting a loud and noisy album, but much to my surprise it’s the exact opposite. Other than the opening song and the ending to Blood Swamp, ‘Altar’ is a mostly laid back, ambient recording. Even so this is worth checking out if you’ve enjoyed past releases from these bands, and of course if your looking for something different to listen to you can never go wrong with Sunn O))).