“Forever Asleep” is a single by Dune Reaper, released on August 29, 2025. Right from the onset, this song is not just a catchy rock anthem but a visceral release of pent-up emotion. Every riff, scream, and drumbeat echoes the frustrations, survival instincts, and sheer will to keep pushing through. The Burlington-based duo Hunter Murray and Nathanael Smith have lived through the experiences that breathe raw energy into this record. Drawing influences from the heavy riffs of Highly Suspect, the pulse-pounding dynamics of Royal Blood, and the emotional weight of Hum, the track resonates with a gritty authenticity. It’s a love letter to anyone who’s ever been buried by the mundane, crushed by bills, or choked by societal expectations. Recorded in the bones of B Town Sound and expertly pieced together under the guidance of producer Justin Koop, “Forever Asleep” sounds both razor-sharp and wonderfully rough around the edges. It’s the aural representation of two musicians clawing their way out of exhaustion to create something explosively cathartic.
Hunter and Nathanael’s history adds another layer to the intensity of the song. Before the opportunity to dive into studio time or lock themselves in the studio until 2 AM to write, they both have day jobs in the construction industry. They are no strangers to the 60-hour workweek, and it’s an experience that you can hear in their music. The percussion pounds with a punk rock intensity, vocals oscillate between emotional vulnerability and throat-shredding screams, and the guitar work is pure, grungy magic. This is not a polished pop song, and it doesn’t pretend to be. It is loud, angry, and defiantly unapologetic, a chaotic but deliberate shout into the void. Every lyric carries the weight of having to chase their passion in the limited time their grueling schedule allows, and that honesty adds a gravity to the song that glossy studio productions often can’t match.
What really makes “Forever Asleep” by Dune Reaper stand out is its authenticity. This is music that demands to be listened to with your full attention, music that punches you in the gut with its sincerity. The chemistry between Murray and Smith is undeniable, and their decision to keep the band a stripped-down two-piece allows their sound to expand in unexpected and vibrant directions. It is both vulnerable and vicious, messy yet intentional. It’s the perfect sonic embrace for anyone who’s ever felt trapped in the limbo between dreams and responsibilities. Dune Reaper aren’t just making music—they’re making noise that matters, and “Forever Asleep” is their call to arms. It’s not a lullaby, it’s a wake-up call, and it’s going to kick the listener in the ass to remind them that it’s never too late to break free.
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