Black One is the fifth studio album by American drone metal band Sunn O))). As the title implies, the album is very black metal-influenced, utilizing many guest musicians of the genre, including Malefic and Wrest from Xasthur and Leviathan, respectively. Malefic, a sufferer of claustrophobia, was allegedly locked in a casket during his recorded performance to the vocals on the track "Báthory Erzsébet".
2,000 copies included a bonus disc titled Solstitium Fulminate, containing a mix of live performances recorded at Roskilde Festival in 2005 and the immediately preceding European tour.
"Orthodox Caveman", previously known as "Caveman Salad", is based on live material from the White (see Live White) tour. "Báthory Erzsébet" was recorded as a tribute to Quorthon (as well as the countess who inspired Bathory's name) and, according to an interview with Terrorizer magazine, is loosely built "around a really slowed down riff from 'A Fine Day to Die'".
Track listing
Black One "Sin Nanna" – 2:19 Oren Ambarchi: vocals, bowed cymbals, flies, drums, el. guitars, atmos "It Took the Night to Believe" – 5:56 Mystik Fogg Invokator: axe, subs Taoiseach: lead guitar, subs Wrest: voices "Cursed Realms (Of the Winterdemons)" (Immortal Cover) – 10:10 Mystik Fogg Invokator: icy inverted crosswinds upon four string zamboni MK Ultra Blizzard: grail, eclipse, lead guitar M. Schneeberger: glacial winds John Wiese: whiteout Malefic: voice "Orthodox Caveman" – 10:02 Mystik Fogg Invokator: guitar, riffs Caveman Skillz: guitar, bass, feedback Oren Ambarchi: caveman drums "CandleGoat" – 8:04 Mystik Fogg Invokator: guitar, taurus MK Ultra Blizzard: decimator bass, crypt calls John Wiese: casket electronics Malefic: tundra guitar "Cry for the Weeper" – 14:38 Mystik Fogg Invokator: guitar, keyboards SOMA: guitar, virus Malefic: guitar, keyboards Oren Ambarchi: el. guitars, horns, wood "Báthory Erzsébet" – 16:00 Mystik Fogg Invokator: bass Drone Slut: bass Count Von Schneeberger: virus Malefic: calls from beyond the grave Oren Ambarchi: el. guitars, tubular bells, cymbals, gong
Solstitium Fulminate (limited edition bonus disc) "Wine & Fog" – 21:29 "Vlad Tepes" – 16:43 Guitar L: Greg Anderson Guitar R: Stephen O'Malley Vocals: Attila Csihar Guitar/electronics: Oren Ambarchi Analog synths: TOS Nieuwenhuizen
Black One musicians Malefic (Xasthur) Wrest (Leviathan, Lurker of Chalice) Oren Ambarchi John Wiese (Bastard Noise, Sissy Spacek) Mathias Schneeberger (credited as Count Von Schneeberger) Greg Anderson (credited as Mystik Fogg Invokator) Stephen O'Malley (credited as MK Ultra Blizzard, SOMA, Caveman Skullz, Taoiseach, and Drone Slut)
References