Duneeater & Planet of the 8s Team Up for a Big Sound on ‘Turned to Stone: Chapter V′

Get ready for a big sound from two massive bands from Down Under sharing the same cylinder for a two-way split as ‘Turned To Stone: Chapter V’ (2022) brings you DUNEEATER and PLANET OF THE 8s! The Ripple Music series has had some terrific pairings over the years, but this volume is absolutely brilliant. I hope you’re listening with a good pair of headphones, or at least have your car stereo system ready for a long, loud drive into oblivion, because this record is indeed a smooth ride down to the Highway to Hell.

Tires peel out for “Twin Voyager,” which makes for a big opener after the short but arresting, “Dusk Part 2,” which is a real cruiser. The band did music video for “Pleather Sex,” and its desert rockin’ vibes make it a swell playlist pal with Kyuss, Truckfighters, Dozer, and Mountains of Madness.

“C.O.B.R.A.” is a badass stoner-blues romper that makes me wonder whether these guys grew up with the same G.I. Joe comics I did, fighting as they did with their eternal enemy Cobra Commander and his henchmen of doom. The song’s got a lot of bounce, and it rumbles and tumbles along until I’m irresistibly pulled into headbanging mode as we drive towards “Dawn Part I” (aka “Devil Dodgers”). It’s a real asphalt-ripper.

Planet of the 8s carries the vibe along into “Dawn Part 2” on the record’s flip-side. The smooth delivery of the lyrics, in sync with a groovy rhythm, reminds me of Depeche Mode for some reason (that’s always a good thing). The vocal harmonies are quite effective (at times approaching worshipful), supported by deep musicianship, beautiful melodic instincts, and a grungy, bittersweet guitar solo.

“Raised By Night” is a rainy number, with bombastic drums and melancholy riffmaking. The smooth vocals contrast so well with the groovy rhythm, leading up to one of those great choruses you’ll find yourself singing along with (perhaps unconsciously). The climax is one of those exalted moments in rock that you want to freeze and revisit over and over.

After another convincing track (“Gravity”), the record closes on “Dusk Part I” – and just like that we’re back to start, in a kind of time loop. It’s a good hint to listen to it all again on repeat. Believe me, you will want to get lost in this record. Not hard to see why both these bands are on the rise.

Turned to Stone, Chapter V is a powerful collaboration from two of the heavy rock scene’s most extraordinary artists. Look for its release this Friday, August 8th, on Ripple Music – dropping in digital as well as several variants of vinyl (pre-order here).

Give ear…