ALBUM REVIEW: Land Of The Blind – Dunes
2024 was something of a vintage year for desert rock, a genre up until recently that seemed to be stuck largely in the 90s, forever looking back through rose tinted glasses at its legendary generator parties and progenitors like KYUSS, FU MANCHU and YAWNING MAN. However, recent releases from the likes of US bands HIGH DESERT QUEEN and SUNDRIFTER have proven there’s plenty of room within the genre for a bit of something different and as we enter 2025, dry-lipped and bleary-eyed, desert rock is showing a stronger bill of health than it has for a very long time.
Long associated with the North American East Coast, it’s always interesting to see bands from other parts of the world taking on the typically American sound of desert rock and seeing what new ideas they bring to the table. Step forward DUNES. Formed in Newcastle in the UK in 2016, the trio has worked hard to establish itself as a key player in the UK underground scene and have played with the likes of scene legends FATSO JETSON, MONSTER MAGNET and TRUCKFIGHTERS on their extensive travels.
New album Land Of The Blind sees DUNES now signed with stoner powerhouse label Ripple Music and seeking to expand on everything that has come before. Opening track Cactus sets out the band’s stall with a blend of laid back KYUSS-esque riffs and British rock swagger. As the song builds towards its soaring chorus, elements of other British bands like ELEPHANT TREE and PSYCHLONA come to the fore, the mix of scuzzy, fuzzy guitars and harmonised vocals creating an immersive and suitably spacey atmosphere. It’s heavier and groovier than anything the band has done before, and the expansive (without being too fancy) production helps lift it further up to the next level.
As if to remind listeners that this isn’t just a tribute to the famous, blissed-out East Coast sound, though, DUNES aren’t afraid to shy away from the darker side of life both lyrically and musically. Second track Tides holds a slightly threatening aura that’s difficult to pinpoint, although lead vocalist John Davies’ performance here could very well be part of it. Sounding like THE VERVE’s Richard Ashcroft on a week-long comedown, his singing throughout the album sounds constantly on the brink of spilling over into something more violent, which adds a refreshing punk energy to proceedings.
This is further evident on Northern Scar, which sees a guest appearance from Nick Carter, former frontman of legendary Newcastle post-punk outfit CRANE. Starting like a bad-trip version of Asteroid from KYUSS’ seminal Welcome To Sky Valley (1994), it quickly steps up into a colossal, brooding riff accompanied by bleak and gritty lyrics that focus on the idea that however hard you might work, “tomorrow never comes.” This darker edge, which builds further throughout the spoken word coda, is the perfect antithesis to those bands that are still regurgitating the same blissed-out, 90s grooves thirty years after they first did it.
There is some all-out headbanging fun to be had here too though, as shown on the likes of Riding The Low, which absolutely powers through its four minute run time and in the monstrous riffs of Voodoo which itself features another guest vocalist, this time in the form of the wonderful HIGH DESERT QUEEN’s Ryan Garvey. Drummer Nikky Watson and bassist Ade Huggins deserve a mention here too for keeping such a tight groove around Davies’ riffs. There is an organic and live feel to this album that only really comes from having a rhythm section as good as this.
Although there are a few moments on the album that might sound familiar to some listeners, genres like desert and stoner rock are never going to work without at least dipping a toe into the past. What is exciting about Land Of The Blind, though, is that it is far more forward-facing than the work of many of DUNES’ peers and as a result it contains a drive and power that is absolutely infectious. A great way to start the year!
Rating: 8/10
Land Of The Blind is set for release on January 17 2025 via Ripple Music.
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