Sunn O)))

Is there anything more fitting than Sunn O))) performing at a church in the land of black metal? Well, yes: Sunn O))) performing a commissioned piece inspired by the Great Famine and the Black Plague with members of Earth and Mayhem at the ancient Bergen cathedral Dømkirke. It doesn't get any blacker than that, and to preserve this unique performance Southern Lord has issued this limited edition recording purely on double black vinyl. Taking place in March of 2007, Sunn O)))'s appearance was actually protested by locals, which makes this album all the more striking. The first track, "Why Dost Thou Hide Thyself In Clouds?," finds Earth's Steve Moore utilizing the cathedral's organ to fulfil the drone duties while vocalist Atilla Csihar (of the infamous Mayhem) chants a Satanic growl with ominous presence. From there, the guitars and amps take over, along with Moore's creeping electronic flourishes, converging best on the chest-caving "Cymatics." Sunn O))) take full advantage of the venue's remarkable acoustics, which helps transcend typical live albums. As the church organ permeates the black cloud of drone at the denouement of "Masks the Ætmospheres" and the audience shows their appreciation, it becomes abundantly clear that the heaviness of this performance was met to its fullest potential.