Alunah’s Fever Dream hits that sweet spot for Doom and Stoner fans, offering an album that’s heavy yet atmospheric, and full of both power and introspection. From the first note, it’s clear they’ve crafted something that feels both grounded in the genre’s traditions and willing to explore beyond them. The band’s sound is thick and warm, the riffs massive, but there’s a lot of heart and subtlety here that really keeps things interesting.
One thing I really appreciate about Fever Dream is its pacing. The tracks don’t rush – they take their time to build, letting the riffs breathe and evolve. It’s not just about hitting you with heaviness for the sake of it, but more about creating a mood and letting that weight sink in gradually. You feel each shift and layer, which makes the heavier moments that much more impactful when they come around. It’s like they know exactly when to pull back and when to let loose, and that dynamic really draws you in.
The blend of heaviness and melody throughout the album is another strong point. Alunah knows how to craft those massive, fuzzy riffs that Doom and Stoner fans love, but they mix in enough melodic sections and subtle twists to keep things from feeling repetitive. The vocals are the perfect complement, not too overpowering but instead floating over the music in this really haunting, almost ethereal way. They don’t compete with the instruments, which lets the whole vibe of the album really shine through.
If I’m being honest, there are a few moments where the album does tread familiar ground. Some of the riffs and structures feel like they’re part of the standard stoner doom toolkit, and while they’re executed really well, there are parts that you kind of expect to hear if you’re into this genre. But honestly, that’s not a huge drawback. Sometimes those familiar elements are exactly what you want from an album like this, and the way Alunah handles them gives the music a timeless, almost comforting feel.
The production on Fever Dream is spot on – it’s raw but polished in just the right way. You can tell there’s a real organic energy behind the recording, which makes it feel like you’re hearing the band live in the room with you. There’s a warmth to the whole thing, and every instrument gets its moment to shine without stepping on the others. It’s the kind of production that complements the music rather than overpowering it, which is key for an album like this.
Fever Dream is a solid piece of work that really highlights Alunah’s strengths. It doesn’t break the mold, but it doesn’t need to. The album flows like a slow-burning journey, with plenty of heavy, hypnotic riffs and enough twists to keep you hooked from start to finish. There’s a sense of maturity and confidence in their sound, and it’s clear the band knows exactly what they want to create – and they do it really well.
If you’re a fan of stoner doom, this is an album you’ll appreciate. It’s got all the weight and depth you’d expect, but it’s also a bit of a dreamlike experience, with layers that reveal themselves the more you listen. A strong 4/5, and definitely worth sinking into for a while.
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Released by Heavy Psych Sounds Records on September 20, 2024
