Reviews

Album Review: SANDS - "Sands"

A Violin and Bass-driven mix of psychedelic, experimental, and progressive genres.

by The Metalverse

Updated July 11, 2025

Album Review: SANDS - "Sands" — SANDS Release Debut Self-titled Album | The Metalverse.net

Hailing from Melbourne, Australia, Experimental Rock act SANDS just released their debut self-title album today. The 3-piece band isn't your traditional lineup–instead having a Bass Guitarist, Violinist and Drummer.

Tracklist:

Γη (Yi)
Honeycombed
Mothership
Pateras
SANDS
Apogee

Review

SANDS starts off their debut track with 4 minute intro song Γη (Yi) which quickly builds a lot of depth through thumping bass lines, ethnic sounding tremolo violin melodies, and distant high-hat drum grooves. Γη (Yi) showcases a melodic, experimental and cinematic feeling progression that slowly builds in energy before gradually fading out.

Next up is Honeycombed which continues the bands world music feel as synth pads slowly grow in volume alongside bright violin harmonies, and echoing atmospheric instrumentals. SANDS delivers powerfully intense and psychedelic atmospheres that truly take the listener to another setting, immersing them in intricate soundscapes. Clocking in at 11 minutes Honeycombed is as much of a musical experience as it is a song, taking listeners on a journey that could be the soundtrack to exploring an unknown planet. After a 5 minute intro, drums are introduced as the song starts to pick up the pace with slamming drums, heavily distorted sludgy guitar, and screeching violin slides that create an eerie and intensely experimental feel.

Mothership is the longest track of the LP, at just over 14 minutes and the song matches its' name as it builds an otherworldly sound throughout its runtime. SANDS creates a slow building track that grows in crescendo with ethnic strings, rythmic drums and booming bass lines before bursting into full destruction with crashing cymbals, hard-hitting guitar riffs, and distant dissonance from violin melodies. After a finale of epic proportions the song fades with dark ambience and ringing guitar distortion.

Pateras starts off with the drums singled out before dynamic bass lines grow in the mix, creating a building intensity that is soon matched with multiple bass lines layering before introducing an unexpected breakdown comprised of brief chunky distorted guitar thumps before a sudden ending.

Self-titled track Sands takes the 5th slot of the album, and it reintroduces the violin before jumping into progressive bass grooves, rapid tremolo strings, and building tom drums. The waning and waxing contrast of less energetic and energy-brimming sections keeps things interesting and varied as SANDS moves the listener towards speeding double bass drum tempos, with soaring violin, and melodic bass riffs holding everything together. SANDS uses juxtaposition excellently throughout the track, building unique soundscapes that are distinct to the trio.

The final track Apogee starts with short violin staccatos alongside drums, that shift between bright melodic melodies and dark, ominous violin leads that omit a sense of urgency and danger. Blending multiple vibes and instrumentals that lead to emotional responses, Apogee is a powerful showcase of the bands sound and their merging of genres like post-rock, psychedelic/experimental music, and heavy progressive genres. After a violin interlude, SANDS builds into a chaotic grand finale filled with dissonance, hard-hitting distorted instrumentals, and attention-demanding leads, before suddenly fading into silence.

Overall, SANDS debut album is unique and delivers a distinct sound that is psychedelic, experimental, and much different from the usual. Taking an unorthodox sound, and a non-traditional lineup of violin, bass, and drums, SANDS is not your typical band–their otherworldly sound makes for an impressive debut and gives listeners a powerful showcase of what to expect from the Melbourne trio.

You can stream SANDS out everywhere now!