White Tundra are the four-piece from Trondheim, Norway that I got into when their self-titled debut landed back in 2023. That first record had rolling grooves with a lot of psychedelic warmth and desert rock swing mixed into the doom. It felt like a proper heavy journey through dusty landscapes and murky woods, and it even landed on the Doom Charts. So yeah, I was curious to see where they’d go next.
Stories from the Dark came out April 24th this year through Argonauta/Octopus Rising, and right away it hits different. They’re still playing that thick stoner-doom with heavy rock roots, but it’s colder and meaner now. Think fat, fuzzy riffs that sit somewhere between Dozer, Red Fang and Truckfighters, only this time there’s more sludge bite and a proper Nordic chill running through it. The grooves still roll, but they feel heavier and more destructive than on the debut.
Compared to the first album, this one trades some of that cosmic, atmospheric warmth for something darker and more menacing. The riffs have extra weight and the whole thing carries this brooding, stormy feel, like old folklore tales set against frozen woods and abandoned houses. Vocals go between gritty shouts and rougher singing that sits right on the edge. It’s storytelling stuff about hypocrisy, escape, loss and local Nordic themes, and it all lands without sounding forced.
A few tracks in my mind. "Healer" opens the album with strong massive hooks and takes a swing at fake saviors and bullshit healers, good choice for a single. "Huset" builds up to some seriously thick, molasses-heavy riffs that hit like thunder. "Riderless Horse" has this eerie, ghostly intro and stretches out into something more epic, while the closing title track feels like a big windswept finale that sums up the whole record. The pacing works well, moving between crushing moments and breathing space without losing momentum.
Production keeps things raw and loud. The fuzz breathes, the bass rumbles, and nothing gets buried. It’s a clear step forward from the debut, heavier in the right places, darker overall, and they sound more sure of their own identity.
If you dug their first album for the big grooves and heavy rock feel, Stories from the Dark should scratch that itch even better. It’s got more teeth and a colder edge that fits the Norwegian winter. Solid follow-up from these guys. Hit play button when the weather turns shit - it suits the mood.
https://www.facebook.com/WhiteTundraBand
Thanks to Grand Sounds PR.
