By: Mike Wilcox
Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 04/12/2015
Label: Southern Lord
Typically with music I'm waiting for the tempo break and for it to go into a sludge riff, but not here...instead what crawls through your brain's passages and synapses is chanting, the likes of which could be heard in far away monasteries, summoning dark forces. A solid album, though you likely won't hear it at many tables over the holidays. If you are one of those few, please invite me. We have much to discuss.
“Kannon” DD//LP track listing:
1). Kannon 1
2). Kannon 2
3). Kannon 3
The Review:
How do you write more than one word about drone music? How could you articulate into words the haunting and ethereal images created by the legendary Sunn O))) (that's pronounced "Sun", to end any dispute)?
When I learned of a new cut from our dark cloaked friends I wasn't surprised, similar to Stephen Stapleton as Nurse With Wound, Sunn 0))), made up of Steven O'Malley and Greg Anderson, has been a long running project with many independent parts and collaborators. “Kannon” presents itself as a good ol' drone album. With the first 2:15 of Kannon 1 the listener is introduced or reacquainted to the delicate sound play of guitar until it is joined and substantiated by the lower register. Vocals drawn out just above a whisper ease their way into your ears and you are pulled out into the static wash that the duo creates.
Kannon2's stage is set with the withdrawn sounding guitar intro, simple yet unsettling, but not in such a way that turns the listener off, but intrigues them. Typically with music I'm waiting for the tempo break and for it to go into a sludge riff, but not here...instead what crawls through your brain's passages and synapses is chanting, the likes of which could be heard in far away monasteries, summoning dark forces. You are given this pleasure for the duration of the next seven minutes.
Closing the album out is “Kannon3” and it fits in line well with its former two parts. An intriguing introduction, a dive into dark spaces, drone out. By in large this is what we expect from our friends, Sunn 0))). “Kannon” is enjoyable for the long time fan as well as a great entry piece for new drone listeners. A solid album, though you likely won't hear it at many tables over the holidays. If you are one of those few, please invite me. We have much to discuss.
