Get ready to have your mind blown: Sunn O))) has just shaken up the music world by signing with Sub Pop and dropping a surprise EP that’s already streaming! But here’s where it gets controversial—this move marks a significant shift for the drone metal pioneers, who have long been synonymous with their own Southern Lord label. Could this be a new era for the band, or a risky departure from their roots? Let’s dive in.
Sunn O))) (https://consequence.net/artist/sunn-o/), the legendary drone metal act, has officially joined forces with Sub Pop, a label known for its eclectic roster. While this might seem unexpected, the band actually hinted at this partnership back in 2023 when they participated in Sub Pop’s Singles Club (https://consequence.net/2023/10/sunn-o-sub-pop-singles-club-evil-chuck-ron-g-warrior/). Now, they’ve wasted no time in delivering their first release under the new deal: a nearly 30-minute EP, cheekily dubbed a “maxi single,” set for vinyl release in late 2025. Think of it as a drone metal feast, featuring three immersive tracks that demand your full attention.
The EP kicks off with the 14-minute epic Eternity’s Pillars on Side A, followed by the equally mesmerizing Raise the Chalice and Reverential on the B-side. And this is the part most people miss—this release is a stripped-down affair, featuring only the band’s core duo, Stephen O’Malley and Greg Anderson, on heavily saturated electric guitars and synthesis. Recorded earlier this year with co-producer Brad Wood at Bear Creek Studios in Woodinville, Washington, and Sea Grass in Los Angeles, this is Sunn O))) at their most raw and focused.
In a press release, the band shared their meticulous approach: “Sunn O))) gave extreme focus and care to each step and aspect of the recording, each tone and level of saturation, each gain stage and speaker, each arrangement and harmonic. The Pacific Northwest forest is our guide.” It’s a statement that underscores their commitment to crafting an immersive sonic experience, one that feels both ancient and otherworldly.
The song titles themselves are steeped in meaning. Eternity’s Pillars pays homage to Alice Coltrane Turiyasangitananda’s 1980s TV program, celebrating her belief in music’s power to achieve spiritual transcendence. Raise the Chalice nods to Northwest legend Ron Guardipee’s rallying cry from the mid-1990s, while Reverential honors those who paved the way with their heavy burdens, using music and art as tools of expression. Is this Sunn O)))’s most spiritually charged work yet? Let us know what you think in the comments.
As Sunn O))) continues their European tour (running through early November), this surprise release feels like a gift to fans. Tickets are still available (https://viagogo.prf.hn/click/camref:1101lumwA/pubref:sunn*sub-pop/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.viagogo.com%2FConcert-Tickets%2FPop-Rock%2FAlternative-Indie-Rock%2FExperimental-Rock%2FSunn-O)))-Tickets%3Fagqi%3Da95b269b-ed07-4e18-81a6-d3369119b719%26agi%3Dstubhub%26agut%3Ddba62df1-d100-4b0a-94ae-256a6dba4d8b), and you can pre-order the vinyl EP via the Sub Pop Mega Mart (https://megamart.subpop.com/products/sunn-o_eternitys-pillars-b-w-raise-the-chalice-and-reverential). Stream the full release below, and don’t forget to check out the stunning artwork and tracklist.
Tracklist:
1. Eternity’s Pillars
2. Raise the Chalice
3. Reverential
So, what do you think? Is Sunn O)))’s new direction a bold evolution or a risky gamble? Are you here for the stripped-down, duo-only approach, or do you miss the layered complexity of their earlier work? Let’s debate it in the comments—we want to hear your take!
