Today, we’re diving into Sandstorm, a heavy metal band hailing from Vancouver, British Columbia. This trio consists of Reptile Anderson on bass and vocals, P.J. "The Butcher" La Griffe on drums, and Stevie "Broke" Whiteless on guitar. Their music revolves around dark fantasy, mythology, death, and hell — themes that are evident in their epic-sounding tracks. Sandstorm is signed to Dying Victims Productions, one of my favorite labels for up-and-coming underground bands. It’s a literal gold mine for fans who are devoted to the early days of metal (think speed, heavy, USPM, thrash, death).

Though Sandstorm hasn't released a full-length album, they’ve put out two stellar EPs: Time to Strike (2019, some sources cite that it's an EP, others cite that it's a full album) and Desert Warrior (2021). Both are short, but sweet, sending listeners on a whirlwind journey back to the golden era of NWOBHM (New Wave of British Heavy Metal) and NWOSHM (New Wave of Swedish Heavy Metal). Their sound is a perfect fusion of those movements with their own distinct twist—a romance between classic elements and their own vision.

Stylistically, Sandstorm covers a wide range of territory. While Time to Strike leans heavily into late '70s, early '80s sounds, featuring mid-tempo tracks that echo hard rock and traditional heavy metal, Desert Warrior cranks up the speed and atmosphere. The shift between the two EPs is notable, with Desert Warrior boasting a more epic and fast-paced approach. "Lucia, The Warrior of Light," the final track of Time to Strike, gives a hint of what’s to come, but Desert Warrior really takes things up a notch.

On the title track, “Desert Warrior,” you can clearly hear the influence of early Judas Priest and Dio-era Rainbow, while “Eat Me Alive” takes on a more hard-rocking edge. It’s not a Judas Priest cover despite the name overlap but has that same driving energy. “Evil Wins” is an instant highlight for me. It’s an homage to everything epic metal, from Manilla Road to Manowar, before shifting into a NWOBHM-inspired gallop. “Power of the Pyramids” adds a darker, more atmospheric touch, reminiscent of Death SS, Mercyful Fate, and Dark Quarterer. It’s 21 minutes of pure heavy metal goodness that leaves you wanting more.

I didn’t look at the EP cover until after I finished listening, and when I did, I wasn’t entirely surprised. It’s not exactly a beautiful cover—it features a ghoul-like creature wandering a barren land with a single leafless tree stump, drawn in a style that some might find ugly. But looking at it through the lens of 70s and 80s metal, it feels fitting. Just like many of the poorly drawn covers from back then, it leaves you wondering what the music sounds like. And trust me, despite the cover, the music is fantastic. Some might be put off by the artwork, but true underground metal fans know that some of the best music hides behind the most questionable covers.

I was lucky enough to catch Sandstorm live at this year’s Dying Victims Attack, and they did not disappoint. I’d been following them for a while, and seeing them live blew me away. I was especially curious to see if they could pull off those dual vocal harmonies—since both the bassist and guitarist share vocal duties—and they nailed it. The harmonies were tight, and both singers were locked in perfectly. You could distinguish between their voices just enough to appreciate each part, but they blended so well that it was almost eerie. Their energy on stage was incredible, and the drummer gave it her all, rounding out what was one of the best live sets of the festival.

Sandstorm - Desert Warrior

Sandstorm is definitely one of the most underrated bands in the current underground scene. Could it be the "ugly" cover art that’s holding them back? Maybe. Could it be the lack of a full-length album after seven years and their last release being three years old? Probably. But do they deserve more attention? Absolutely. They’ve got the chops, the energy, and the passion that every underground metal fan should be looking for. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for Sandstorm, and I sincerely hope they don’t break up anytime soon—it would be a huge loss for the metal world.