Ah yes, Dune, a sci-fi classic authored by Frank Herbert back in the ’60s. Full of worms, sand, desert heroes high on drugs, and Ninja-style fights. But it’s also a novel that never quite clicked with yours truly. Despite all that, I nonetheless went to see the latest movie and was – utterly unimpressed.
The movie’s a big and technically astute production but it also seriously lacks substance, decisive action, and suspense. Some critics put this down to a severe case of ‘following the book’. And there is some truth in that. But a movie needs to be exciting, not lengthy, boring, and devoid of some otherworldly bluster.
Thus, Sons of Arrakis‘ Volume II got sent back down into the oubliette for exactly that reason. Because, what good can come from a source devoid of juice? But then, we’ve been wormed with another Sci-Fi experiment1 recently, so why not give that one a try, too. After all, they got spice to trade, so let’s have at it.
Choosing Stoner Metal to cover Herbert’s fantasy world makes sense. After all, Dune’s desert inhabitants mainly survived on drugs, worm rides, and scarce water supplies. A population of drug addicts fueled by macerated worm poop. One gotta have that idea first. AND the story first aired way back in time when rock was still exciting and metal wasn’t really a thing yet.
So, immediately after Scattering rushes off with some remarkable dusty power, names like Black Sabbath, Queens of the Stone Age, Dust Prophet, or – again for the heavy lifting – Mammuthus come to mind. In contrast, High Handed Enemy delivers some bluesy, fuzz-laden slow-walking stoner piece. That’s perfect hot ‘n’ cold treatment, like an evening breeze in the desert once the seething heat gives way to nightly delights.
So, where does all that name-calling suddenly emerge from? Volume II gets off to a powerful start. But after that, it’s smooth sailing across stoner territory. Stuff we already witnessed on other records. The vocalist’s clears perfectly fit into Ozzy’s whiny schema of sorts. You won’t find an inkling of even the slightest croak, it’s all somewhat high-pitched clear vocals sailing unimpeded on an even keel. The pretty snazzy riffs and often short-lived solos hit those sandy pathways exactly where they need to be. The RMR crew also appreciated the fuzzy sludge and the often psychedelic touch on offer on Volume II. The acoustic breaks provide that slow-moving sticky avalanche of slightly doomy stoner sounds with a welcome spin. Sludgy Stoner Metal can be somewhat hypnotic at times after all.
In other words, there’s nothing truly amiss with the production, and the top-notch arrangement ensures that this well-oiled bike ride won’t be derailed. And yet, the RMR crew continued to scratch their mutual heads. Some disturbance bothered us throughout the record. Sons of Arrakis truly know their stuff, no doubt about it. Volume II turned into a somewhat shrewd but savvy piece of alloy. But also one that’s devoid of excitement. The record unerringly sails down on that straight highway stoner folks must take. The RMR crew found no exciting worm rides, no turns into dusty desert terrain where the sun risks burning you to a crisp. No ambush or other snazzy wiolence, nothing.
In other words, the record contains material destined for greatness galore. But for that to happen, one needs to step out of the proverbial box and show some rough edges and rusty points. Something to draw blood with and finally enter the territory where great records dwell. And that’s especially true for short records of some 34 minutes of airtime where everything needs to hit hard, or else. For now, Volume II turned into a good record but left our throats severely scorched and in need of some more spice. Sons of Arrakis will need to pump it up some next time to gain a few more rungs of that proverbial dangerous ladder. More safe sailing across those sands won’t cut it.
Record Rating: 6/10 | Label: Black Throne Productions | Web: Official Band Site
Release Date: 21 June 2024
- Totally different style, agreed. So, get off my case, will ya?-↩