sunn o))) @ middle east in 2006 drone metal first established earth, group seattle, formed in 1990, has been described minimalist post-grunge . earth took inspiration sludge metal of melvins , minimalist music of la monte young, among other sources. stephen o malley s group burning witch, formed 5 years later, in seattle, continued in tradition, incorporating unusual vocals , bursts of audio feedback. group recorded prominent powerviolence label slap-a-ham. o malley s subsequent group, sunn o))), formed tribute earth, responsible contemporary prominence of drone metal style. godflesh stated influence on many groups. boris, tokyo, developed style of drone metal, parallel seattle groups, did corrupted, osaka. 2000s nadja (toronto), locrian (us), jesu (uk), black boned angel (wellington, new zealand), khanate (new york city), ocean (portland, maine), growing (new york city), ktl (washington/london), ascend , eagle twin (usa), teeth of lions rule divine (nottingham, england), conan (liver...