Report

Doom Droners Sunn0))) Rose To Another Plane of Existence In Prague, Czechia

I need to start my Sunn0))) show review by stating that Sunn0))) is not your traditional doom band…They are more so an experience. In my opinion, they only way to fully appreciate Sunn0))) is to see them live. This is my 3rd time seeing them but my first time writing about them. I think if anyone is going to review their live shows, they need to soak in the experience at least more than one time before writing down their thoughts. There is no describing how tight they played that night, or which songs were excluded from the setlist. You are going to describe the sights, the sound and feels. A Sunn0))) show is an event that is difficult to explain to someone that has never gone before. I will try my best.

I arrived at the venue, Archa+, which is pretty much located smack dab in downtown Prague about an hour before Sunn0))) was to take to the stage. There was already a pretty decent size crowd milling around outside the front doors with the aroma of marijuana ever-present within the surrounding air. Once inside, there was a large Sunn0))) merch table that greeted patrons. The table was loaded with stuff. They had hats, T-shirts, a long-sleeve shirt, a hoodie, pins, patches and vinyl for sale. You then had to walk down a couple of flights of stairs to get to the stage area, and once you made it, there was an absolutely beautiful sight to behold. Amplifiers. A great wall of them configured in a crescent moon shape around the stage.

The Wall of Sunn0)))

This subtle visual cue is how you know that you’re at a Sunn0))) show. Ten of the amplifier heads stacked on numerous massive speaker cabinets were Sunn Model-T’s. The Model-T is made by Sunn Amplifiers. Sunn, the amplifier company, was a maker of loud rock amplifiers that were made popular in the 60’s and 70’s by artists such as Jimmy Hendrix, Pete Townsend and then in the 90’s by Buzz Osborne and of course, Sunn0))). The company went defunct in 2002 not long after being bought out by Fender Guitars and then was resurrected recently in 2023. For the doom and stoner genres of metal, the Model-T and Beta Leads were some of the most sought-after amplifier because of the sheer loudness and affordability before Red Fang showcased them and then the prices skyrocketed on used musical gear platforms. Enough of the Sunn Amplifier lesson, let’s get back to the band Sunn0))).

About a half hour before showtime, I claimed a spot as close to the stage as I could so I’d have a good vantage point for my photos. Shooting photos of Sunn0))) is a challenge to say the least, so you need every advantage possible or you’re going to have garbage once you start editing. A short time later, the venue lights dimmed and the fog rolled in. I’m not talking about any normal amount of smoke that you see at an average concert. I said fog and I meant it. During the whole show it would get so thick at times that you couldn’t see the person standing right next to you. Everything is whitewashed, sometimes you can’t see your own limbs.

The Fog of Sunn0)))

After the fog, came the thunder (I already mentioned the amount of amplifiers on stage, but there were actually more than just Sunn). The promoters of the show sent at last count 3 emails warning that this show was going to be extremely loud and hearing protection was highly recommended. The venue would be selling hearing protection as a courtesy. Sunn0))) shows have been known to reach 120 decibels in volume. The 120-decibel threshold for long periods can result in permanent hearing loss. This is all part of the fun of watching Sunn0))) live, the real possibility of hearing loss.

Sunn0))) Above

Like I mentioned earlier, Sunn0))) isn’t a band in the typical sense of the definition, they are an experience. They have songs, yes, but the unless you’re the ultimate fan, you won’t know where they begin or end. This band is about sound-waves and how they feel and reverberate through your body while you take in the sights of what’s happening onstage. The band is composed of two individuals with guitars cloaked in black hooded robes (Think of trendy druid fashion or giant Jawas from Star Wars). There’s no drum kit, bassist or keyboardist. They create a wall of sound all on their own without all the riffraff. There’s not a lot of movement onstage other than the occasional arms reaching towards the ceiling or the guitars pointing towards the floor.

After I had enough what I hoped were decent shots, I started making my way through the waves of bodies towards the opposite side of the stage area. I noticed several people with their eyes closed and chin towards their chests. This is one way you can soak in a Sunn0)) show experience. Once I cleared the floor crowd, I noticed the almost the same thing along the hallway leading to the stage area, except they were seated against the walls doing the same thing. They were in a frequency trance and loving it. I eventually found a spot to enjoy the rest of the show and take in some feedback myself.

The Ethereal Light

When I was shooting photos, I didn’t appreciate the low and often random otherworldly lighting effects, but now I was completely digging it after I put my camera away. Along with the intense fog, it created a lightning effect at times, or maybe that an alien invasion was imminent. Either way, it was amazing. After an hour and a half, the final feedback swells engulfed the venue in wave after wave until they volumed out. A roar of applause erupted and just like that, Sunn0))) had left its mark on the more than appreciative Prague crowd. For those on the fence about seeing them, GO. You won’t regret it.

If you want to check out the full photo gallery of the show, you can see it HERE.

Metal isn’t just a type of music, it’s a lifestyle for Nikos Mixas. In addition to playing guitar for the Phoenix’s own Mosara, he’s a contributing writer for V13 and The Sludgelord. And when he’s taking a break from it all and on vacation, you can almost be certain he’s banging his head at a metal festival somewhere interesting.