2020

Titan – I [US, Dungeon Synth] (2020)

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Dungeon Deep Records | 6-10-20

“Titan brings us a unique brand of medieval synth music driven by a style reminiscent of old school PS1 style video game soundtrack.” I am currently having a fight with someone whether or not this music is PS1 or PS2 era. This seems to be the most important thing to deal with right now. Dungeon Deep Records has continued to be a force in the DS world bringing new and old ambient to a market that is ravenous for this sound. Titan’s 2019 release made a mild noise upon its release but now with the tape release, which I hopefully can still get, the world of PS1 or PS2 era soundtracks come into full force and with sharp polygons.

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Maim – From the Womb to the Tomb [Sweden, Death] (2020)

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Self Released | 2-20-20

Oh man. Here comes the ruckus. Maim is a Swedish band that perhaps goes straight for one of the most obivous worships and that is the deep history of nasty death metal From the Womb to the Tomb may lack points in album titles but makes up extra credit with a release full of ripping riffs. This is what death metal is all about just ominously posing on top of tombstones pointing menacingly at strangers. Also note this album technically came in 2009 but since I’m so hypnotized by the riffs, i sort of forget where I was.

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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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Pharmacist – Forensic Pathology Jurisprudence [Japan, Death / Grind] (2020)

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Self Released | 6-20-20

Holy shit this is messy. I love it. First of all that logo is so nasty I want it on a shirt or at least a backpatch with the album art. Pharmacist’s name and album title is almost as weird as the choice of music since nothing really fits together but in its haphazard chaos, there is momentum for a stellar release of death / grind that cares less about form and more about brute force. If one can get past the snare drum that beats on you with a tire iron, then you are in for a gross disaster that is beautiful in its attitude.

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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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Kyriss – Olden Ruins & Miry Depths [Germany, Atmospheric Black / Raw Black] (2020)

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Self Released | 6-9-20

Kyriss, known also as Kyriss the Perverse, was a Keeper of Secrets, a Greater Daemon of Slaanesh, who was active during the Horus Heresy in the early years of the 31st Millennium. Alongside the infamous Bloodthirster Ka’Bandha, a Greater Daemon of the Blood God Khorne, Kyriss served as one of two daemon overlords or “generals” who helped orchestrate the Signus Campaign, in a coordinated effort to lure the Blood Angels Space Marine Legion to the Signus Sector and corrupt them to the worship of the Ruinous Powers.

I am not assuming the band’s name is after this Warhammer 40K lore but I am going to pretend it is since it is pretty cool to read. Now with the potential context of deep fantasy lore in front let us move to the music with is something you would NOT expect given the potential fantasy component. Within the world of Olden Ruins & Miry Depths, lies atmospheric black that is twisted and forgotten to the point of being fossilized. Here among the scarred landscape of where once tall trees stood, is the toiling of witches and oppressive synths. I love this so much and I believe it is the polarization of potential aesthetics that is fueling the greatness.

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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.

Crypt Walk – Rot Gut Prophecies [US, Grind / Death] (2020)

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Self Released | 6-5-20

I love this so much. It is so nasty and possibly out of the realm of heavy metal but it doesn’t matter one bit. Welcome Crypt Walk, a grind / death (?) three piece that wants nothing more than to dump cinder blocks on you from the top of an abandoned warehouse. Rot Gut Prophecies lies on the outskirts of punk / hardcore / grind / death metal and has been rolled up in a carpet and now is crawling with slugs. The gross imagery is part and parcel for a record that is short in its execution but leaves a stench lingering in your nostrils even after walking away from it.

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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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Meurtrières – Meurtrières [France, Heavy] (2020)

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Self Released | 6-5-20

If you take a look at the whole of the records offered on this site it is half gross black/death and half dorky ass dungeon synth. Heavy/trad does not really fit into the scheme of this site. This is not for any other reason than there are more qualified people to discuss the recent trad revival. I say trad revival as a catch all term for anything that followed the boom of heavy metal that was tagged under the obnoxious “New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal” label. Since the mid 10’s however, heavy metal has fallen into a comfortable rhythm offering decent and exhilarating records as a digestible pace. Meurtrières continues this tradition with a stellar debut sing in the most romantic of tongues. For being a first offering, Meurtrières makes a bold declaration that is worth taking note and even staying put for a while.

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