The same procedure as every year: Once your album of the year posts are done, they are immediately followed up by reviews of the category too late for the game, as in: releases, which just arrived too late to consider them, even though they would have undoubtly have been worthy of being included.
The latest double album by Sunn O))) is the perfect textbook example for this, no matter if you you view it rather as a studio or a live album. The standout cover artwork by Samantha Keely Smith already tells you that it's connected to "Life Metal" and "Pyroclasts". And those shared the top five position of my albums of the year 2019!
SUNN O))) - Metta, Benevolence BBC 6Music : Live On The Invitation Of Mary Anne Hobbs (Aqua/White Swirl vinyl 2LP) (2021)
I've actually reviewed this music before, way back in November 2019, when this BBC broadcast originally aired. And since then I've ranked the recording of that stream among the very best material of the drone metal legends ever. Period.
Why is that? Especially now that it's finally officially released with slightly different cuts in an even better production, this session just proves to be the culmination of an already stellar phase.
The recording took place between shows while Sunn O))) were on tour, so it features the five-piece live line-up of Stephen O'Malley, Greg Anderson (both guitars and synthezisers), Tos Nieuwenhuizen on Moog Rogue synthesizer, Tim Midyett on bass and synths and of course Stephen Moore, who not only provided droning synths too, but was also responsible for the probably most shared and most magical moment of every show on that tour, when he played that yearning trombone in a section which made the music ascend from the rumble of tectonic movements to the gates of Heaven, while making Miles Davis smile.
That was in the "Life Metal" piece "Troubled Air", which during the live performances grew to triple size and is also the epic closer of "Metta, Benevolence" in a version of thirty-two minutes.
The track alone would already justify the release, but even before the deal is pretty much sealed, as the sides A and B of the once again fantastically packaged double record give us two more meditations / improvisations in the vein of "Pyroclasts". This time they are based on the notes C# and F - and performed with the participation of Sunn O)))'s support on the UK leg of the tour, who was none other than the magnificient Anna von Hausswolff, who plays keyboard (because everybody does, right?) and graces both tracks with the evocatice power of her mystical voice.
The resulting combination of droning guitar strings, organ and primal vocal magic is beyond the realm of the writable. Just an amazing visceral merging of the most transcendent strengths of both Sunn O))) and Anna von Hausswolff.
Why is that? Especially now that it's finally officially released with slightly different cuts in an even better production, this session just proves to be the culmination of an already stellar phase.
The recording took place between shows while Sunn O))) were on tour, so it features the five-piece live line-up of Stephen O'Malley, Greg Anderson (both guitars and synthezisers), Tos Nieuwenhuizen on Moog Rogue synthesizer, Tim Midyett on bass and synths and of course Stephen Moore, who not only provided droning synths too, but was also responsible for the probably most shared and most magical moment of every show on that tour, when he played that yearning trombone in a section which made the music ascend from the rumble of tectonic movements to the gates of Heaven, while making Miles Davis smile.
That was in the "Life Metal" piece "Troubled Air", which during the live performances grew to triple size and is also the epic closer of "Metta, Benevolence" in a version of thirty-two minutes.
The track alone would already justify the release, but even before the deal is pretty much sealed, as the sides A and B of the once again fantastically packaged double record give us two more meditations / improvisations in the vein of "Pyroclasts". This time they are based on the notes C# and F - and performed with the participation of Sunn O)))'s support on the UK leg of the tour, who was none other than the magnificient Anna von Hausswolff, who plays keyboard (because everybody does, right?) and graces both tracks with the evocatice power of her mystical voice.
The resulting combination of droning guitar strings, organ and primal vocal magic is beyond the realm of the writable. Just an amazing visceral merging of the most transcendent strengths of both Sunn O))) and Anna von Hausswolff.
I doubt that anything about this album could be improved. This is truly special.
And yes, of course (and despite its long and winding title, which isn't even exactly the same on all versions) "Metta, Benevolence BBC 6Music : Live On The Invitation Of Mary Anne Hobbs" is one of the absolutely most essential releases of 2021.
And yes, of course (and despite its long and winding title, which isn't even exactly the same on all versions) "Metta, Benevolence BBC 6Music : Live On The Invitation Of Mary Anne Hobbs" is one of the absolutely most essential releases of 2021.
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