Monoliths & Dimensions
by Sunn O)))
User Score
6.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 90 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 59 out of 90
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 90
  3. Negative: 24 out of 90

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  1. DerekS
    Aug 12, 2009
    6
    I actually quite like this album- the droning, the repetition, the lack of any melody, rhythm etc...but then again I find the noise of vacuum cleaners relaxing.
  2. DougK
    Aug 14, 2009
    6
    It took me several listens to be able to bring this up in my rotation without flinching, but I finally got to the point where I look forward to the change of pace. I'm just really disappointed that some of my fellow music lovers are so opinionated about other's opinions. There's certainly no need for name calling.
  3. DerekB
    Aug 6, 2009
    5
    I'll jump in with the first vote that lies directly in the middle. Admittedly, since I have roommates whom I respect, listening to this album at full volume in my apartment was never an option. I even tried to convince them them to pop in the CD on the living room stereo & crank it. Still no, so I opted for headphones. Let me run off on an explanatory tangent for a few lines. We are I'll jump in with the first vote that lies directly in the middle. Admittedly, since I have roommates whom I respect, listening to this album at full volume in my apartment was never an option. I even tried to convince them them to pop in the CD on the living room stereo & crank it. Still no, so I opted for headphones. Let me run off on an explanatory tangent for a few lines. We are all metalheads. We listen to Sabbath, Maiden, Meshuggah & even Dimmu Borgir turned up all the way. While we may be spoiled on speed, we're still dedicated to a future of metal-induced deafness. That being said, I still believe this album is extremely overrated. Visceral thought it may be, it's still a bunch of dudes droning on heavily detuned instruments with no discernible attempt at musicality. Maybe that's the point. But I'm still not convinced. On an artistic level, I have to hand it to them: they have balls, which is why this is interpreted as metal. However, I agree with Lance R. This album is best experienced very loud. Loud and possibly under the influence of lots of LSD. Since I left the blotter with my friend Ricky, I have to evaluate this album in a (somewhat) sober state. I can't see why anyone could assign a droning, largely dissonant collection of noise on the very periphery of the mainstream a 10, unless you're reacting those giving this album a zero. Perhaps it's a sonic evolution for the band, but I can't see myself particularly interested in their previous works. Monoliths & Dimensions is plenty. Conversely, I can't bring myself to rate this album lowly; mostly due to its provocative avant-garde appeal.… Expand
  4. hubcap
    Oct 22, 2009
    5
    People who like this sort of thing will find that this is the sort of thing that they like. Other people will wonder what the fuss is about.

Awards & Rankings

6
#6 Best Album of 2009
27
#27 Most Discussed Album of 2009

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
88

Universal acclaim - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. AllMusic
    90
    Monoliths and Dimensions succeeds because it is the sound of a new music formed from the ashen forge of drone, rock, and black metal.
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  2. Delusions of Adequacy
    80
    Hopefully those that came to SunnO))) through "Black One" will find much to love here. If they don’t they will be seriously missing out as Monoliths & Dimensions is devastatingly epic.
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  3. Drowned In Sound
    100
    For anyone interested in music that works both as art and an intensely new exciting experience--this is easily the best album that has come out this year.
    Read full review
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