-DS Reviews-

Ancient Sword – Ars Antiqua [Italy, Dungeon Synth] (2020)

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Dark Age Productions | 6-10-20

“Ancient Sword is the solo project from Dysangelium of black/death metal band Necromorbid and it rises from the antique land of Tuscany… where the gloomy atmospheres of dark ambient and dungeon synth music are melded in a classical and dramatic manner to achieve and recall the glorious splendor of the medieval and Renaissance art.”

I enjoy the presentation of this record even if it looks like traditional dungeon synth when in fact it is more experimental than most. Ancient Sword does not play by the rules and Ars Antiqua, while still devoted to tradition, fills its world with dark ambient, oppressive synth lines, and a feeling of unease when one was expecting soft melodious synth. This is less regal court music and more Tangerine Dream / Neptune Towers worship and it is great.

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Cynfyd – Ever So Long Ago [US, Dungeon Synth] (2020)

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Self Released | 6-9-20

I feel I know who this is or atelast the universe from where this came. I saw this release yesterday but then on other social media outlets that I have it narrowed down to a few suspects. Investigations aside, the release of Ever So Long Ago marks the debut for the Cynfyd project which begins its journey with classic sounding dungeoon synth devoted to the heathen gods of old. In its short running time (~10 minutes), Cynfyd commands your attention and weaves spells in the air outlining worlds far away. In this short demo, you are compelled to follow this stranger who you think you know but cant be sure.

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Winterblood – Luftschloss [Italy, Dungeon Synth / Drone] (2020)

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Self Released | 2-28-20

This is not the most recent Winterblood release and not even the first one I have reviewed. I wish I could begin this review by starting at the beginning but it seems like there is much to digest. Winterblood is a “polar ambient” outfit that crafted glacially slow landscapes that are intriguing and immersive. Luftschloss (Castle in the air / pipe dream (?) ) is the third release this year and presents two 40 minute (!) tracks of hypnotic magic that robs the listener of any warmth they once possessed. Winterblood may not be the style for everyone but anyone that is looking for a lengthy experience or atmospheric music for a cold winter’s night, I might have the perfect suggestion for you.

ESTOC – Chapter I [Finland, Dungeon Synth] (2020)

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Dungeon Deep Records | 6-5-20

So a few things. this was late 2019 record that was fairly popular but now with the batch release from Dungeon Deep Records it has skyrocketed in popularity leading to it selling out of its tape quantity in probably a day. this is both wonderful and frustrating but also expected with this type of dungeon synth. For those who did not get a chance to grab a tape, you are still left with the digital version that still exudes a soft and melodious air of magic. Somewhere between dungeon synth, new age, and bardic music for adventures lies ESTOC and a release that came out of left field and went straight into my heart for all time.

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Archana – Boreal Worcs [US, Dungeon Synth] (2020)

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Mysttic Timbre | 9-1-20

I am going to give it to Mystic Timbre for always being there to interest me and incite me with some forest themed magic. I have talked before about Mystic Timbre as a dealer of arcane wonders with both Archana and Alloch Nathir. Boreal Worcs is a new (and upcoming) release set for Fall that waves to me months away with its devilish melodies. Rather than lay out a passive landscapes of with melodies, these sounds bounce through the tree lines festooned with colorful clothes and wild masks. For its short length, the experience of Boreal Worcs is memorable in its liveliness. This is active listening dungeon synth and something that stirs imagination.

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Rivière de Corps – Tout est chaos [France, Industrial / Dungeon Synth] (2020)

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Self Released | 6-4-20

Add this to the weird pile. This is not dungeon synth though I found it while searching for dungeon synth. I blame this label for opening there door and like a lost child I wander in and am now fascinated by the sounds of bedroom industrial / darkwave with some surreal covers. Though this stretches the idea of what dungeon synth / dungeon noise can be, the idea of personal landscapes and escapism through sound remains the same though this is a hellish nightmare with retro paperback covers and instances of mindbending terror.

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Sophia – death bows his head and gently weeps​.​. [Canada, Dungeon Synth] (2020)

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Serpent’s Sword Records | 6-1-20

This is the second release I have encountered with the tag “funeral synth” though I feel the project Sophia might fit into more styles that just one. death bows his head and gently weeps​.​. (all lowercase) is a short demo of of ultimate despair. In fact the emotion on this record is boiling to the point of melodrama. While the last sentence feels like it is a criticism, the protracted despair of oozing synth fits the Gothic atmosphere constructing a palace of melancholy and nights that never end. Most of Serpent Sword releases posses the same sort of vampiric DIY aesthetic and Sophia is no different with its weep for a 100 years approach to synth.

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Haudh – Grave Tales [US, Dungeon Synth / Dark Ambient] (2020)

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Self Released | 5-29-20

Well, this is certainly bleak. I do not know if anyone was suppose to listen to this or if this is music made for ghosts. Haudh is a Us based artist who has tagged Grave Tales as “Funeral Synth.” While I do not think we are quite there for that tag to be relevant, searching through Bandcamp does return a handful of simular looking releases all with a gothic lo-fi aesthetic. Perhaps this will be a thing. Regardless, Grave Tales is a 30 minute fall into a world of morbid fascination complete with wandering synth and a grand feeling of lost splendor which is quite effective. Look at me go search through more funeral synth records.

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Mari Lwyd – Future King [Wales, Dungeon Synth] (2020)

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Gondolin Records | 3-31-20

Even though I have been seeing Gondolin Record releases in the recent past, I feel it is time to fully recognize this label as something unique. Gondolin Records is a label based in Denmark that unearths dungeon synth of the last 10 years as well as presents newer lesser known acts. The most important aspect of Gondolin is their brilliant graphic design which unifies all releases with the same layout and array of tints. Though their tapes are usually sold out the moment they releases, one cant still page through their catalog and see familiar names like Murgrind, Fairy Ring, and An Old Sad Ghost as well as new names like Mari Lwyd. Arcane and courtly, Future King offers a slightly lofi medieval landscape that is full of wonder and serene magic. Now I am going to have to start collecting apes from this label or atleast keep up with tier releases so I do not miss out on tapes.

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Burzygóry – Burzygóry [Finland, Dungeon Synth] (2020)

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Naturmacht Productions | 5-28-20

Bookmarked for greatness. I am going to precede this review with the fact I dislike the cover for Burzygóry as well as the name. I do not know what it is amaboutt both of them but they are repellent and I do not think I would have listened to this had I not been intrigued by the label. With all of that out of the way, I am glad i did listen. Burzygóry is thew work of Zannibal who is one third of the folk/black act Marrasmieli. In true fashion of dungeon synth, Zannibal sets out to create familiar and alien landscapes with the mastery of someone who has been doing this for years. Burzygóry is not only refined but it is effective at its settlement in the colony of dungeon synth.

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