The Dukes of Hades - Oracle of the Dead

 

 

The Dukes of Hades - Oracle of the Dead
Self-released – 2025
Stoner, Doom
Rated: *****

The Dukes of Hades is a two-piece powerhouse from Dorset, England, consisting of seasoned musicians Gareth Brunsdon (who used to be in the highly underrated shitrock and sleazepunk outftit Sludgefeast) on drums and Steve Lynch (who you might know from - amongst others - The Electric Shakes) on sub octave guitar and vocals. 'Oracle of the Dead' is their first extended ep and hits home run after home run.

Right out the gate they plant 'Seeds of Oblivion' in your ears while attacking you with heavy, pounding drums and a lowdown groove that's bound to split your gut in two before splattering it across the walls of your living room with a bloody grandeur that normally only sees the dark of night in cheap-ass horror movies. And to make sure you get time to process what's happening, they end that first track with a steady, slightly slower doom part before kicking it up a notch or two by hammering some 'Last Rites' down your throat. The tone is set for a collection of energetic songs ranging from mid-paced stoner (the highly addictive 'Pigs') to aggressive sleaze-infused assaults of sped-up mayhem ('Constant Grief') and an epic eight minute scorcher 'Tomahawk' (the highlight amongst highlights) where everything comes together - and then some. Add to that the powerful, gritty, yet well-articulated vocal delivery and an excellent production, and you just know this will be amongst the best stoner/doom releases this year. It's fucking amazing and bound to lift you (and the blood gushing out of your torn-up body) to death defying heights, as the title of the final song so eloquently suggests. All killer. No filler. Period.

(Written by Ronny Dijksterhuis)

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