Sunn O))) has this remarkable ability to sound gorgeous and menacing at once. “Monoliths & Dimensions” (Southern Lord), the band’s seventh full-length, offers four tracks, each exceptionally long and patient, treacherously heavy and, somehow, lucidly psychotic. Brooding, powerful, haunting—Sunn O))), the most inventive band in drone metal working today, terrorizes without scaring you away, and the new record is a massive accomplishment. Closing track “Alice,” which clocks in at more than sixteen minutes, will pummel you into submission if you allow it, and you should. (The duo behind the band, Greg Anderson and Stephen O’Malley, welcome a whole family of contributors to help out with the doom.) There’s a demented glee found in the music of Sunn O))), which reflects off the faces of the band’s audience members during its sets. Frightening, yes, but also deeply emotional. It’s unstoppable, this darkness, especially at this volume. Bring earplugs and body armor. (Tom Lynch) July 2 at Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western, (773)276-3600, at 9:30pm. $15.
Whisperin' for Some Reason: A Preview of Ian Sweet at Empty Bottle Angeleno Jilian Medford produces a lo-fi indie-rock sound that could acutely score a mid-2000s Michael Cera film but still feels postmodern. Melancholic but defiant, her lyricism coupled with simple and elegant guitar progressions provides for the addicting kind of pop to sway awkwardly to.
Brutal Finesse: A Preview of King Crimson at Ravinia There have been few new compositions from King Crimson these past two decades, but the live arrangements of songs from its catalog are often strikingly different than the recorded versions.
Cooling It: A Preview of Colleen Green at Cole’s Bar When Green strums power chords or chiming notes on top of her backing track, you might think you’re at Ramones karaoke night and Madonna is taking her turn.
