EP Review: Dopelord – Reality Dagger (Green Plague Records)

Founded in Lublin in late 2010, Dopelord has honed their craft by smoking, rehearsing, and touring through a relentless onslaught of groove and hallucinogens. Inspired by cult classics, 70’s music, and magical herbs, the band released their debut Magick Rites in 2012, followed by Black Arts, Riff Worship & Weed Cult in 2014.

After a split with Major Kong two years later, the doom miscreants released 2017’s critically-acclaimed Children of the Haze. Flash forward two more years to 2019, Dopelord released an epic four-way split with Spaceslug, Weedpecker, and Major Kong, making way for their highly-anticipated 2020 opus Sign of the Devil.

Now, Dopelord readies their next troop of low-tuned psychedelia as the band prepares to release Reality Dagger on multiple formats February 19th 2021 via Green Plague Records.

The doominess oozes from every single pore of this record. A glacial three track EP, Dopelord want you to hear the sound of flies buzzing in the head. To feel every teeth-aching fuzzy covered riff, every filthy bass hook and every darkly themed drum hit. All while offering some modicum of comfort from the Sabbath-style vocals.

If you’re after a strong and heady fix of doominess to make 2021 feel that much more warmer, Dark Coils and Your Blood are the sparks that light the fire. Both tracks have deep darkness that thrills but with exceptional rhythm that makes them intrinsically catchy. Dopelord are as fascinating as always and they continue to be an act to admire even before we get to the final track.

Separated from the other two, simply because of its humongous length and wealth of ideas, the title track is a lesson in patience. Where Dopelord take the listener by the hand and lead them through a maze of doom oddities. Where touches of psychedelic make it all so much more of a head spinner and the inimitable groove the band harness is unleashed in spectacular fashion.

Dopelord are such a great band and Reality Dagger is another notch on their bedposts.

Dopelord – Reality Dagger Full Track Listing:

1. Dark Coils
2. Your Blood
3. Reality Dagger

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