For all the many different bands that have risen above the masses in recent years, there are quite a few that have made such an impact such that they cannot be considered any less than substantial for one reason or another. Since their debut eleven years ago, Dopelord has been a name that plenty have been conscious of with the years being incredibly kind to the Polish quartet as we’ve seen them grow to become a real authority in what it means to make modern doom with an occult feel without compromisation. Their upward trajectory has not been something to deny or underestimate for years now, and it’s now with their fifth full-length album that there is certainly an argument to be made for this as their best work yet.

It’s always a difficult thing for a band to decide as the years pile on to either shift their sound to tackle different sonic territory for any number of reasons or to really focus and thus hone in on their current sound to the point where it’s been sharpened to have such an edge that is no less than utterly menacing. In no small way, Dopelord took the latter path with their particular brand of doom channeling the classic flavors of the style while never once failing to have loads of personality that Dopelord injects at every opportunity to make their sound something that’s as infectious as it is compelling. “Songs for Satan” only furthers that trend. As enchanting as it is an uncompromising piece that offers much for fans new and old of doom, the seven tracks of the record certainly feel like the most mystical that Dopelord has churned out yet with their clear factor of heaviness alongside well-tempered psychedelia allowing the record to stand tall as not just an exceptional piece for the sound but for Dopelord’s well-lauded discography. The arguably perfect blend of what Dopelord has long been known to throw down in every piece of their own material, “Songs for Satan” has loads to offer should you be enticed by its flickering firelight with the occultism lurking in the very flames and the very warmth of the crackling pit drawing you further in such that by the time you realize Dopelord has sunk its claws into you, why would you dare think of being anywhere else?

Such a work like this from a band of this caliber seems like an obvious slam dunk at every turn, but reality can be disappointing in the face of such blind faith. Fortunately, Dopelord has yet to disappoint with this album only the latest in a substantial run of success. Leaning on tropes but never once failing to overcome them to really make for a performance that one cannot simply turn away from, “Songs for Satan” immediately poises itself as an album that is sure to be up for consideration for album of the year by many a doom fan out there.

“Songs for Satan” releases on October 6th via Blues Funeral Recordings!

LISTEN to an advanced track from “Songs for Satan” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Dopelord on Facebook here.