Live Review: Sunn O))), Extortion

18 March 2016 | 9:47 am | Bradley Armstrong

"It's about being sucked into their little slice of well-crafted hell for an hour and seeing if you can make it out alive."

The air in the room feels a little free-spirited and happy before the onslaught. It's tough being Sunn O)))'s support band since everyone is waiting for the main event, but hardcore act Extortion try their hardest to establish themselves. But they don't really bring anything of worth to the table considering, yeah, Sunn O))) are coming.

From behind the literal wall of amplifiers that takes over the stage, smoke begins to flood the room until the time has come. The lights dim and earplugs go in for those iconic purveyors of drone, Sunn O))), have arrived. What follows is more of an experience and a test of strength than a musical performance, for the songs the group play are irrelevant; it's about being sucked into their little slice of well-crafted hell for an hour and seeing if you can make it out alive.

The band last toured our shores for Dark Mofo where they had all the tech they needed at Odeon Theatre to create their sound. Sunn O))) also work in this inner-city location and the sound is bang-on dark and trademark intense. As the set progresses, some people leave while others gradually drift into a zombie-like state. The sound from the band can be felt throughout our bodies like we're having sonic baths. Core members/guitarists Stephen O'Malley and Greg Anderson really are masters of their art, showcasing playing that's so detailed it's admirable. The group is also accompanied by a synth player whose low-end playing thickens out the sub bass. Long-term collaborator and Mayhem vocalist Attila Csihar - a spectacle in his own right - delivers a Mongolian throat-singing vocal style. When O'Malley and Anderson leave the stage is when the show's at its weakest, for the volume level drops off immediately. But upon their return it is ear-crushingly beautiful.

It's not too long before it's all over and the crowd wake from their meditative state and give the group a thunderous applause. There's no encore. Overall, this is pretty close to the true Sunn O))) experience. Hopefully this venue's plumbing is still intact.

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