Oracle

Oracle is one of Sunn O)))’s artier, more experimental releases, but it also has a visceral impact uncommon in their work. The semi-title track, “Orakulum,” was created as the soundtrack to an art installation by Banks Violette, who reproduced Sunn O)))’s backline (amps, instruments, pedalboards, etc.) in resin and salt inside a London art gallery. The other piece on the first disc of this 2CD set, “Belülrol Pusztít,” sounds like their tribute to Einstürzende Neubauten — frequent collaborator Attila Csihar hisses and intones poetry as Greg Anderson and Stephen O’Malley rumble their guitars and basses, Atsuo of Japanese post-metal lords Boris offers percussion accents, and Joe Preston (Thrones, ex-Melvins) operates a jackhammer. The second disc, “Helio)))sophist,” is a 45-minute audio collage from various summer 2005 European live shows.