Gritty, existential, and masterful.

Newcastle, U.K.-based Stoner Rock band Dunes illustrates an intense experience filled with despair, anxiety, and the passage of time in their newest album, Land of the Blind. The band is comprised of John Davies, who plays vocals/guitar, Ade Huggies, who plays bass/vocals, and Nikky Watson, who plays drums. The three members formed Dunes in 2016, and they quickly earned a solid reputation in the U.K. rocker scene.

Land of the Blind is the band’s first release with the record label Ripple Music, and the change is evident in the album’s sound. Dunes stray from their previous work to deliver a more mature, polished project. Though they are more polished, they still provide catchy hooks and melodic phrases that fit their genre.

The record opens with “Cactus,” a six-minute track that introduces the album’s themes of perseverance and hope through the horrors of the world. The track is sustained by a drone-like guitar and drums, which steadily build throughout. It takes almost three minutes for the vocals to enter. The lyrics repeat like the instrumental, full of agony and existentialism.

The themes of existentialism continue on the fourth and longest track, “Northern Scar,” featuring former Crane member Nick Carter. The instrumentals create a somber backdrop while offering a classic Stoner Rock groove you can sway to. Carter performs a poem on the track, complementing the moody instrumentals. The track picks up and creates a song perfect for doing donuts in a desert and drinking beer.

Though the lyrics are dark and gritty, moments of hopefulness shine through in every song. In their description of Land of the Blind, a Dune spokesperson said, “Each song and everything on it was practiced to death and torn apart creatively so that everything on the album has purpose and intent.” This is evident in the album, with no note or instrument sounding out of place. Land of the Blind is a testament to the band’s hard work.

The seventh track, “Voodoo,” features Ryan Garney of High Desert Queen. Garney complements Davies and Huggies’ vocals well. The raw, blasting instrumentals create a track made for headbanging.

Land of the Blind is full of soon-to-be classics in the Stoner Rock genre, with its compelling storytelling and great sound. Davies’ masterful guitar playing creates a melodic tapestry that balances well with Huggies’ groovy bass and Watson’s hardcore drums. Together, Dunes creates an album with a captivating, otherworldly feel while still being approachable.

Land of the Blind has only nine songs, and each one stands out in its own way. The tracks can range from fast and gutsy, like “One Eyed Dog,” or deep and slow like “Riding the Slow.” No matter what, they still pack a punch. The same spokesperson said the band wanted to “fully immerse themselves in the album,” which is apparent in the album’s sound. It’s singular while still fitting perfectly in the Stoner Rock genre. Land of the Blind is an excellent addition to Dunes’ discography and a great indicator of what’s to come for