This is the sound of being stalked by some unnamed horror that you are too afraid to turn around and see. The suspense builds and wanes and builds more to the harrowing climax leaving you with only the droning aftermath to contemplate that anxiety attack that you may have just experienced. What a deliciously terrifying opening to an album. Sunn 0))) truly expands on their usually feedback intensive forays into sound experimentation, and Black One is no different. But, this new album is by no means a logical expansion of their "typical" sound. It is however further proof that they intend to set new marks for their version of droning doom. Black One is a step in a new direction.
Never before has the musical collective Sunn 0))) driven by Greg Anderson and Stephen O'Malley taken on such a mood as what is showcased on this new album. The LP comes across as an experiment on paranoid induced fear that toys with listeners' possible afflictions such as agoraphobia and claustrophobia. Each track has its own disconcerting elements that consistently build on the feeling of dread that emanates through the whole album by using an expanded cast of special guests (Oren Ambarchi, John Weise, as well as black metal purveyors Wrest and Malefic) that lend definite personal stamps to the proceedings. And even though this chilling macabre emanates throughout the album, the tracks are wonderfully dense with layers of sound. Oren Ambarchi brilliantly administers the aforementioned brief opening piece, called "Sin Nanna". It is followed by the devilish "It Took the Night to Believe." The odd structure of this song makes it feel like an excerpt of a larger piece, but that element along with Wrest's vocals adds to the malevolent feel of it. Other standout tracks include the oppressively depressing "Cursed Realms (of the Winterdemons)", "Orthodox Caveman", and the absolutely stark closer, "Bathory Erzebet."
Black One is sure to please not only the "average" Sunn 0))) fan but also drone and noise aficionados and people interested in off the wall, extraordinary records. Should the group continue to create in this direction, they might pick up more twisted devotees than they have already.
