Motorhead v Sunn0))

Submitted by PirateKerr t3_11bk6b8 in Music

So im doing a little Motorhead re appreciation at the moment. Motorhead have obviously been heralded as the loudest band on earth, but im interested to see how their level of volume compared to Sunn0)), whos volume ive experienced first hand and is clearly also loud as hell. So does anyone have any definitive evidence as to who actually was the loudest band, be it Motorhead, Sunn0)) or someone else? Its for science.

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Ur4FartKn0ck3r t1_j9y8lft wrote

It depends on the venue itself as well.

The loudest band I've seen live was Full of Hell in a 300 capacity venue. The second loudest was cradle of filth at Ozzfest 2005.

Although you can technically measure the decibel levels, I think the "loudness" of a band is subjective.

That being said, Sunn O))) at the caverns in TN must have been a mind fuck.

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WatercoolerComedian t1_j9y7cqf wrote

I think Manowar holds the record for the loudest concert at 139 dbs and Motorhead is behind them with 130, SunO))) I believe is 120

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Bad_At_Sports t1_j9yecj8 wrote

Technically Manowar’s 139 Dbs was during a soundcheck in 2008 and not an actual concert. KISS allegedly hit 136 dbs at a concert in Ottawa in 2009.

After that it goes Leftfield (135 dbs in 1996), Motörhead (130 in 1986 but unconfirmed), and then Manowar again at 129.5 dbs in 1994.

But most of this is difficult to rank today because record keepers like Guinness don’t accept attempts for this record anymore because it’s dangerous to human hearing.

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Klemac t1_j9y89k3 wrote

I have heard that ministry is insanely loud band

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psychocatharsis t1_j9yb5ij wrote

Swans in a ~300 capacity venue. Insane!

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speebrun t1_ja2rd34 wrote

I saw Michael Gira, amplified acoustic and solo about 12 years ago, in a small college auditorium, and he nearly blew the roof off. That entire band don't know how to do quiet. Jarboe much the same on one of her tours, completely cavernous noise.

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MDS1138 t1_j9zg7iw wrote

Just for a laugh I'll mention, one of the loudest bands I've ever seen live is Extreme, a few years ago (at an oyster festival in CT, no less). Their stage volume was ridiculous for a band whose songs don't really call for it.

I mean, I've seen the Melvins multiple times, a band meant to be experienced loud, and they were, but still not on par with this band. It was ridiculous!

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FullRollingBoil t1_j9yfq5o wrote

I think Deep Purple hit 117 db back in the 70s

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Creative_Rock_7246 t1_j9ylsi8 wrote

Anyone remember when Kyuss toured with Metallica in the early 90’s and Metallica would omit let them play at half volume coz they were so much louder than Metallica 😂😂😂

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THEextrakrispyKebble t1_j9zrjdo wrote

Sunn0)) is loud enough with their bass frequencies that earplugs will not protect anyone in the front row, as essentially the sound bypasses the plugs and travels through the bone (bone conduction).

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speebrun t1_ja2r6xz wrote

Supported Sunn0)) and KK Null in Brisbane a decade or so ago, can confirm they are two of the loudest bands I've ever heard live. See also: Mogwai, Conan, 90's era Silverchair. Decibels at ear crushing levels.

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East-Ad-9078 t1_ja2y33d wrote

I saw Motörhead on Ace Of Spades tour but round about that time health and safety started to monitor the noise and capped it . It was a proud boast that they had beaten the previous nights noise record. I think it was over 130 dbs at the Manchester gig . A testament to this was most of my mates were half deaf at school the following day. The loudest gig I can remember was Ted Nugent on Scream Dream tour it was ridiculously loud.

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