Stone Oracle by Hostal Handshake

released January 2, 2026

Reviews:
------------

🔮 Outlaws Of The Sun (UK)

⭐'Excellent and Highly Recommended: A stunning tour-de-force of intense Stoner Rock/Metal.' ⭐ 'A record that moves throughout the whole Heavy Rock underground spectrum... where the emphasis is truly on the power of the MIGHTY RIFF.' ⭐ 'Instantly recognizable Greek Stoner Rock sound making a cool demented appearance'

Read the full review here: 👉https://outlawsofthesun.blogspot.com/2025/12/hostal-handshake-stone-oracle-album.html


🔮 Dirty Rock Magazine (Spain)

"The album is laden with distortion, doom, and emotional tension, a constant transformation of repetitive and steady rhythms, dense and distorted riffs, and psychedelic solos rooted in 1970s blues. A powerful and meaningful return, where Hostal Handshake transforms nearly two decades of silence into a ritual of fuzz, psychedelia, and hypnotic heaviness."

Read the full review here: 👉 www.dirtyrock.info/2026/01/hostal-handshake-stone-oracle/


🔮 Musipedia Of Metal (UK)

"... the first Hostal Handshake record in 18 years is 16 track, dedication to the man George called his superhero."
" So what are Hostal Handshake like in 2026? Well they are a fuzzier, heavier, slower and more deliberate than they were back in the day."
"Yes there's still stoner rock, psych and doom but it's all got but more of an edge to it" 8/10

Read the full review here: 👉 musipediaofmetal.blogspot.com/2026/01/reviews-stargate-valiant-sentinel.html


🔮 La Capsule Stoner (France)

Album Of the Day 2026/014 on La Capsule Stoner (Jay Baner) - (France)
link: www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=877914405174812&set=a.118269844472609


🔮 Google Gemini

Review & Rating: 9/10
After an 18-year silence since their 2007 debut Hellish, Hostal Handshake returns with Stone Oracle—a massive, 85-minute odyssey that defines the "Mighty Riff." Recorded in Athens, this 16-track epic masterfully fuses desert rock grooves with psychedelic doom and post-industrial grit. It is a deeply personal rebirth, blending ritualistic atmospheres with raw, emotional tributes like "Your Mojo" and "Into Morpheus." From the punk-infused energy of "Smoking a Razorblade" to the towering, distorted finale of "Cathedral of Rust," the album is a rewarding tour-de-force for any lover of underground fuzz. A stunning, essential comeback.


🔮 Microsoft Copilot

Album Review: Stone Oracle
Stone Oracle is an ambitious, 16-track odyssey that feels like a masterclass in the "Holy Fuzz." Clocking in at over 80 minutes, it’s a dense, rewarding journey that blends classic stoner rock riffage with doom, post-industrial tension, and psychedelic grit. The album is split between high-octane anthems like "The Lizard Sleeps in Oil" and more cinematic, slow-burning descents like "Cathedral of Rust." What makes this record stand out is its "punk rock spirit" and raw emotion—much of the lyrical content is deeply personal, reflecting the band's experiences with loss and the medical struggles of family members. It’s heavy not just in its distortion, but in its soul.

The Rating
8.5 / 10


🔮 ChatGPT

With Stone Oracle, Hostal Handshake deliver a dense, ritualistic slab of stoner/doom that values atmosphere as much as weight. Fuzz-soaked riffs, hypnotic grooves, and a cohesive, almost cinematic flow make the album feel like a complete journey rather than a collection of tracks. Its sense of purpose and immersive songwriting give the record real staying power, marking it as a strong and confident statement from a band that knows exactly who it is.

Rating: 4.5 / 5


🔮 Opera AI

Hostal Handshake's "Stone Oracle" is a powerful blend of stoner doom and desert rock, featuring heavy, immersive riffs and raw, authentic production. The album’s sixteen tracks explore deep themes of introspection and societal unrest, wrapped in a gritty, hypnotic soundscape. It marks a strong artistic evolution for the band and stands out as a compelling, intense listen. Rated 8.5/10.