Released: 2024
Genre: Stoner rock, Heavy Psych
Sounds Like: Kal-El, Psychlona, Sargeant Thunderhoof
Homeland: Montreal, Quebec
What makes Volume II elite and sit atop OHMs Peak?
Sons of Arrakis return with a euphoric album loaded with progressive riffs and scifi themes
The production is precise and open, capturing their unique weight and creativity
Frederic Couture's vocals lead the way with his clean and powerful hypnotic tone
Volume II is filled with an abundance of technical stoner fuzz and features a variety of tempos that are constantly changing, providing a continuous stream of fresh heaviness
Track Listing:
1. Scattering 3:47
2. High Handed Enemy 4:24
3. Beyond the Screen of Illusion 3:50
4. Interlude I 1:08
5. Retaliation 4:29
6. Metamorphosis 4:20
7. Blood for Blood 5:09
8. Interlude II :50
9. Burn Into Blaze 3:56
10. Caladan 1:30
Dive deeper into Volume II with our Q&A with Sons Of Arrakis.
OHMs Peak: Volume II is an amazing follow-up to your debut and just keeps getting better each listen. What resonates with us most on this album is the anthemic sci-fi thickness. The melodies and depth are inspiring and never tire. Take us through some of the new approaches on the sophomore release and the tie-ins with Dune.
Sons Of Arrakis: Thank you! For Volume II, we really wanted to take our sound further into that atmospheric sci-fi realm. Our debut laid the foundation with its heavy riffs and thematic nods to Dune, but with this album, we leaned more into world-building through sound. We incorporated more dynamic shifts, layered textures, and even introduced elements like slide guitar and synths to evoke a sense of space and vastness.
Dune remains at the core of our concept—its themes of power, fear, and destiny resonate deeply. Tracks like "High Handed Enemy" and "Burn Into Blaze" explore the psychological aspects of those themes. We aimed to dive deeper into the themes, balancing both the epic and the personal aspects. We hope that this combination of scale and emotion gives Volume II its distinctive character.
OHMs Peak: ‘High Handed Enemy’ has everything we want in a track. Brilliant contrast and heartfelt melancholy desperation layered with amazing fretwork. Take us through the meaning behind the track that touches upon mental anguish and near death.
Sons Of Arrakis: "High Handed Enemy" is one of those tracks that came from a very introspective place. Lyrically, it delves into confronting deep fears and the struggle to push through dark mental states. The "enemy" in the title is really the internal one—the voice that amplifies doubt and despair. Musically, we wanted to mirror that emotional journey with mellow, haunting verses that build into explosive, harmonized choruses.
The slide guitar, courtesy of Francis Duchesne, adds that haunting, almost otherworldly tone that really underscores the tension between melancholy and determination. It’s a song about finding reason amidst chaos and holding on to clarity when things feel overwhelming.
OHMs Peak: What band would you love to tour with that would most complement your sound?
Sons Of Arrakis: There are a few bands we feel would really mesh with our vibe. A dream scenario would be touring with someone like Mastodon—there’s a similar love for combining storytelling with heavy riffs and intricate melodies. Elder would also be an amazing fit; they balance heaviness and atmosphere in a way that really aligns with what we’re doing. Of course, we’d never say no to sharing the stage with legends like Sleep, High on Fire or Gojira, who have been huge influences.
OHMs Peak: We see the album art was created by Alexandre Goulet. The landscape is so fitting with your sound. How involved were you in the process, and did he listen to the album in advance?
Sons Of Arrakis: Alexandre Goulet is a master at capturing atmosphere through visual art, and we knew right away he’d be perfect for the task! We were involved in the process, discussing our vision and how we wanted the artwork to reflect the dark, imposing energy connected to the vibe of the album and the Dune universe.
Alex is extremely knowledgeable about Dune—he’s read all the novels—so he understood the nuances we wanted to convey. I sent him the album before he started working on the artwork, and the result truly captures the mood of the music!
OHMs Peak: How did the name Sons of Arrakis come about? Would love to hear, and is it tied to the novel Dune? (apologies we are not rich in knowledge here)
Sons Of Arrakis: Absolutely, the name is directly inspired by the Dune universe. "Sons of Arrakis" reflects our fascination with the grand scope of Frank Herbert’s work—the epic themes of power, survival, and the inevitability of change. Arrakis, the desert planet in Frank Herbert’s universe, is a symbol of harshness and resilience—a place where only the strong and resourceful can survive. We try to bring that spirit into our music.
The name also carries a personal connection. My father was a huge fan of Dune and played a big role in helping me come up with the name when I started the project. Even if you’re not familiar with Dune, the name carries a sense of storytelling and struggle that we aim to reflect in our music
OHMs Peak: Sons of Arrakis is stranded on an island with only a solar-powered turntable and majestic powered solar Bluetooth speakers. The band collectively can only choose one album. Which album would ultimately be selected?
Sons Of Arrakis: That’s a tough one! If we had to agree on just one, I think it would probably be Master of Reality by Black Sabbath. It’s a timeless record that still holds so much power and atmosphere, and it’s a foundational influence for us. The album's massive riffs and thick grooves perfectly capture the essence of heavy music, and there’s a primal, earthy vibe to it that would resonate perfectly in an isolated, raw environment like a deserted island. Master of Reality keeps us connected to the roots of everything we love about heavy music.
Sons Of Arrakis are:
Frederic Couture - Rhythm guitar & Vocals
Francis Duchesne - Lead guitar & Keys
Vick Trigger - Bass
Mathieu Racine - Drums
Follow Sons Of Arrakis: Bandcamp / Facebook / Sons Of Arrakis
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Instant classic…love this album