2020

Treasure Seeker – Quest for the Secrets Beyond Time [Sweden, Dungeon Synth] (2020)

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Self Released | 5-12-20

This release is good. This release is real good. This release is also visually unremarkable compared to the sea of other dungeon synth records. Classical painting, medieval font, centered on a flat frame is something that is almost part and parcel for this genre. I do not mean to disparage the formula as I feel it plays into the genre rather I hope that this release does not get lost in the sea of other dungeon synth due to its brilliance and effective landscapes that are filled with adventure tinged with melancholy. Treasure Seeker’s music calls back to the sounds and feelings captured by modern artists such as Hedge Wizard which take lo fi soundscapes and make kingdoms out it. As I write this, I think this might be one of the best releases this year and here I am talking about its cover.

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Afsky – Ofte jeg drømmer mig død [Denmark, Black] (2020)

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Vendetta Records | 5-12-20

“Tags: black metal, depressive, black metal, depressive blackmetal.” The previous line is not something I initially seek out though I feel atmospheric black is getting back to normal in terms of its output. For a little bit there was a glut of wood themed black metal that was almost indistinguishable from the next. Depressive black can be the same way which is why Afsky is intriguing for its cover depicting the social realist artist H. A. Brendekilde and his most famous painting Udslidt or Worn Out or The Martyr(1889). The use of fine art on covers is nothing new but not only does this painting circumvent the typical artists pillaged for covers but it also transcends the thematic trappings of depressive black with not a noose or suicidal imagery in sight. This is all talking about the visual components to a record that is stunning in its approach and is something that has the potential to be a crossover success among black metal fans and people interested but turned off by its pageantry.

Polar Keep – Polar Keep [US?, Dungeon Synth / Ambient] (2020)

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Skventhrone | 5-11-20

Skaventhrone is a label that is presumably based in New Zeland ans also presumably the landing zone for a bunch of fringe dungeon synth, noise, and ambient musicians. Looking through past releases, I noticed a few familiar names and a bunch more I did not. Polar Keep is the debut release from one of the composers from Shrouded Gate. Where Shrouded Gate created lofi kingdoms on their releases, Polar Keep travels to barren ice wastes foe a chilling record of winter synth. I actually do not know if that is even a tag people use anymore but this is dungeon synth dedicated to empires of desolate ice and snow where the most oppressive thing is the synth which burns your face and fingers with cold.

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Profane Congregation – Apocalyptic Visions [Finland, Raw Black] (2020)

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Morbid Chapel Records | 5-11-20

Full disclosure: This 25 minute full length was released in 2016 on Astral Temple with a tape run of 100 copies. This current distribution is a CD run at 500 copies on Morbid Chapel records. I do not know where to put this as sometimes I bump up the years for releases that never saw the light of day until the next calendar year with a larger distribution. This is a 2016 record but I am sure everyone is hearing it in 2020. If this sort of thing does not bother you and you are just here for longform shredding raw black that swirls like specters around graven monuments, then Apocalyptic Visions is for you. I know it is for me but I just dont know when it is.

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Flowermage – Lily of the Valley [?, Dungeon Synth / Ambient] (2020)

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Swallowed Key Productions | 5-8-20

I had to put my headphones on for this one and I suggest you do the same. Swallowed Key productions is an odd label. With an array of releases in 2019, it has quietly established itself as a dealer in weirdo oddities ranging from noise to drone to ambient dungeon synth that I am almost positive is from the same person. With the arcane permission for supporters to dub these releases onto tape (?), Swallowed Key is the strange guy in the corner with the pointy hat and unsettling smile. Flowermage’s release is the first for Swallowed Key in 2020 and is a short but effective slab of dark ambient which carries dungeon synth above the ghostly treeline. Never-mind the quasi religious text which accompanies the Bandcamp, this release is for a few people who want to befriend the strange guy in the pointy hat.

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Ritual Mass – Abhorred in the Eyes of God [US, Death] (2020)

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Caligari Records | 6-19-20

I have said it before, and Ill say it again — If any record label could have a blind subscription where I would pay X amount of money to be sent new tapes monthly, I think Caligari would be the my first choice. Over the years, this label has consistently dredged up some of the grossest and sustainably death/black/? in recent memory. They have become so consistent that sharing Caligari links to friends sort of becomes expected as the hyperlink is usually a signpost to something vile and riffy. Ritual Mass is no different with a makeover of their 2019 EP in resdesigned tape artwork and presentation. I know this came out in 2019 but most of us are hearing it for the first time so we are just going to let that slide down some slimy catacomb where devils devour the dead.

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Candlekeep – The Death of the Gatekeeper [France, Dungeon Synth] (2020)

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Self Released | 5-7-20

I am not going to say that it is perfect, but I am beginning to hone the craft of picking out records based on their cover. Not in terms of quality but sound as a noisy record can be distinguished from a more melodic one. I knew what Candelkeep was going to sound like before I opened the page. I was surprised, however, at how much I enjoyed the sound of Candlekeep as it whisked me away to a magical, lo-fi kingdom where its gold sparkled with worn flare. At the moment, Candlekeep has no supports on their page and this debut just came out yesterday. Finding things like this make me enjoy what I do as I feel like someone who just stumbled upon a cozy cottage far into the woods.

Axis of Light – Axis of Light [UK, Black] (2020)

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Self Released | 6-1-20

I remember first hearing Axis of Light on the Fallen Empire/SVN OKKLT compilation in 2013. Incidentally that was my first exposure to the type of raw black that I still appreciate today. The first three songs on that compilation were a shredding combination of Axis of Light, Witch in Her Tomb, and Death Fortress. Almost ten years old, Fallen Empire and the rest of its roster has moved on to other things with some of them being tremendous. Axis of Light’s newest EP gives me the same type of feeling I had in 2013 even though it is a new decade and we have both seen so much. With only one song shared, the harsh veil of noise is still present though with melodic and almost post black (?) hooks hiding in the back. The band’s page is directing all proceeds to charity and all signs are pointing to a great EP that is going to cast a net of nostalgic noise.

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Grimwin’s Forge – Grimwin’s Forge III [US, Dungeon Noise] (2020)

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Self Released | 4-20-20

Dungeon noise was a foreseeable branch to come out of the great modern DS wave of the mid 10’s. When one has a group of bedroom producers, experimentation is a natural progression on any genre and noise/dark ambient/harsh experimentation in a genre whose roots go back to black metal was a logical step. Dungeon noise in the mid 10’s however was met with a polarized response which led to scene bickering and even a weird flirtation with NS themes. I hate to precede a review for Grimwin’s Forge with history but I feel it is important that the Dungeon noise scene, at its very core is a remarkable genre that just got assaulted with extra baggage. Grimwin’s Forge III, I feel is a suitable meeting point between the desire for experimentation and the need for accessibility. While noisy and full of atmosphere, the music on Grimwin’s Forge III is still narrative between the rough and burnt edges. This artist also seems to be behind Ancient Iron and both projects have a knack for extremely limited cassettes that are split between commercial products and art projects.

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Vexev – Abyssus Abyssum Invocat [France, Black] (2020)

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Self Released | 5-6-20

I know the tag for this record states it is raw black but I would be more comfortable putting it in the mid tier of black metal. This is not to take away from the bare nature of Vexev’s music rather their production is neither claustrophobic nor oppressive rather they have an entire empty cathedral to play in and it is through this space that their music swoops and dives like phantoms rising out of the walls. Abyssus Abyssum Invocat is the band’s deb ut full length and first release which is surprising given the genre. With no demo, EP or rehearsal to precede this, Vexev makes their first declaration and by all accounts it is loud enough to gain attention.

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