EMQ’s With DUNE
EMQ’s With DUNE
Hi everyone! Welcome to another EMQs interview, this time with Saudi Arabian Thrashers, DUNE. Huge thanks to them for taking part.
What is your name, what do you play and can you tell us a little bit about the history of the band?
We are DUNE , we are a Thrash Metal band with different flavours of genres such as Nu-Metal, Groove, Oriental and even Modern Metal. Dune was formed around 2004 till 2007 at the peak of the Saudi Metal scene movement at the time then the band went on Hiatus. The Band was resurrected again in 2021 and has been on fire since then.
Dune has played in multiple live shows from the old SA METAL era and after their return played at the first Riyadh Inferno 2022 & Riyadh Desert Rock Fest and multiple Metal nights at Soroor Music Center & Syrup Lounge.
Dune’s approach to music with chainsaw heavy guitars, Chunky Clicky bass slap, highly drums techniques and aggressive vocals. The band members draw upon their own life experiences and musical style to create the signature DUNE sound.
How did you come up with your band name?
In Saudi Slang, you call a hooligan or thug a dune-like “this guy is such a dune” ( in Arabic ), it was actually a joke when we were in discussion about the band name then we just went with it.
What Country / Region are you from and what is the Metal / Rock scene like there?
We are from Saudi Arabia, The capital Riyadh City. The Metal Scene is really great and growing too fast, the fans are too loyal and insanely supportive of local bands, multiple bands are emerging and old bands that have been around and everyone is on fire in the scene.
What is your latest release?
We have released two Lyrics Videos – ‘Refuge’ and ‘Reject ‘ off our upcoming EP debut called “Years of Chains” and it will be released on 31st May.
Who have been your greatest influences?
There are so many bands that we listen to and each members in the band add a different influence and flavour to DUNE music. Our Vocalist is influenced by Slayer and Testament. Our guitarist is influenced by The Currents , our bassist by Korn and drummer by Exodus
What first got you into music?
The Love of Music We all grew up with the feeling of wanting to do something like that when we hear our favourite songs.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?
Metallica played in Saudi for the first time ever in 2024, we are sure that they will be back, and we would love to open for them and that would be a dream come true.
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
Woodstock baby, due to the nostalgia that we have.
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
…..
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
We thank you for your amazing support and we are so excited for our EP release and can’t wait for everyone to hear it
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
Cliff Burton.
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
The enjoyable thing about being a musician is the live show and the energy and rush you feel on the stage, also the creation process of new songs is great fun. What we hate is the drama that happens sometimes in the music scene and the BS that goes around sometimes.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
Corporate companies need to support local bands better and elevate the bands.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
Metallica – “…And Justice For All’
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?
To me I would say CD’s / Cassettes, the amazing feeling of buying an album and opening it and going through the booklet and reading the lyrics and pics while listening to the CD in your car is an amazing experience and we don’t get to feel that as before.
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
The first Riyadh Inferno Fest 2022 was, Insane Gig, and the crowd was fire
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
To be honest all of the band members are working and have careers with being musicians. Samer our Vocalist is an HR Business Partner, Mamdoh The Bassist is a Corporate Banker, Mustafa The Drummer is An IT Engineer and Mishary The Guitarist is in Corporate Communications.
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
Dave Mustaine , Lars Ulrich ( just to watch them fight LOL), Serj Tanikan, Tom Araya & Chuck Billy.
What’s next for the band?
As soon the EP is released, we will be releasing later two new lyric videos and will start a tour going over GCC countries and there are already 3 new songs that are being created.
What Social Media / Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
Our account on all social media is (Dune.0fficial) and we use Instagram the most in social media https://www.instagram.com/dune.0fficial/
Our EP is available on all music platforms.
Time for a very British question now. As an alternative to the humble sandwich, is the correct name for a round piece of bread common in the UK either a Bap, a Barm (or Barm Cake), a Batch, a Bun, a Cob, a Muffin, a Roll or a Tea Cake?
Clueless face , Let’s say it’s a roll.
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Thank you for having us and give our EP a listen.
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