The inevitable studio collaboration between the American wizards of low-end drone and the Japanese masters of heavy noise is more than a little like King Kong vs. Godzilla — an epic face-off between two well-loved titans, fated to never quite measure up to the massive expectations generated by their impressive reputations. Still, it's a pretty mighty piece of work, which beefs up Sunn O)))'s space explorations with lumbering drums and skin-flaying guitar, while bringing out the more meditative side of Boris. Altar's only real wild card is “The Sinking Belle (Blue Sheep),” a creepy lullaby with reverb-drenched piano and half-whispered female vocals, which wouldn't sound out of place on a David Lynch soundtrack.