Sunken Grove – Precious Solitude [Wales, Dungeon Synth] (2020)

Self Released | 4-10-20

I feel if we are going to take away anything from dungeon synth, it is the resurgence of hand drawn covers. Precious Solitude is the first offering from a Welsh (?) composer who is using this time to make a very quiet introduction. The cover is indicative of a release that is teeming with intimate moments a wash with dreamy lo fi synth. The tags for this release range from “forest ambient” to “winter synth” to “minimalist” and for once, I feel all of these descriptions are accurate for a record that is introspective and escapist for the artist and their audience.

Kaptain Carbon

Kaptain Carbon is the custodian of Tape Wyrm, a mod for Reddit’s r/metal, Creator of Vintage Obscura, and a Reckless Scholar for Dungeon Synth.

Chaotian – Festering Excarnation [Denmark, Death] (2020)

Extremely Rotten Productions | 3-20-19

I enjoy how death metal is continuing to be ill and rude even after its slight bump in popularity a few years back. the fact that people are still making gross sounding sewer sludge that has run off from outer world is warm and endearing to my soul. Festering Excarnation is a compilation of two demos that were released in 2018 and 2019. I do not think either of these saw a tape release nor a wide audience. Festering Excarnation comes with the benefit of awesome art fitting of the sound and also a tape release from Extremely Rotten Productions. We will consider this the start for this band and open our arms to welcome the filth.

Kaptain Carbon

Kaptain Carbon is the custodian of Tape Wyrm, a mod for Reddit’s r/metal, Creator of Vintage Obscura, and a Reckless Scholar for Dungeon Synth.

Sidereal Fortress – The Hermit’s Hole [Italy, Dungeon Synth] (2020)

Self Released | 4-11-20

Probally one of the most interesting aspects about this record is the Angelo Branduardi cover which nestles itself within a magical record of dungeon synth. Angelo Branduardi is an Italian folk singer who saw moderate success in the 1970’s but has since developed a following among woodfolk and like minded people. The instrumental cover of “The Stolen Bride” is transcendental and arcane as it feels apart of the original compositions yet highlighted as the centerpiece of the record. Sidereal Fortress has been releasing music since 2017 yet for anyone like me who is first encountering this woodsy patch of mushrooms, it maybe a great place to start.

Kaptain Carbon

Kaptain Carbon is the custodian of Tape Wyrm, a mod for Reddit’s r/metal, Creator of Vintage Obscura, and a Reckless Scholar for Dungeon Synth.

Dekagram – Through The Dark [Norway, Atmospheric Raw Black] (2020)

Poisonous Sorcery | 4-13-20

Raw atmospheric black or atmospheric raw black could both fit into this aesthetic. While Dekagram sounds ominous and cryptic, it is a unit of measurement equal to 10 grams. That in of itself may have significance but this is perhaps the first black metal act to embrace units of measurement to project their aura. Through the Dark is a compilation of two demos, one of them being a 2018 release and the other, I believe, being new. Whatever the case, the listener is given the experience of 43 minutes of atmospheric freefall not into the soft embrace of pine trees but rather an belfry on top of the most desolate looking church. This compilation is icy, moody, and above all else effective in its efforts to cast the world in darkness.

Kaptain Carbon

Kaptain Carbon is the custodian of Tape Wyrm, a mod for Reddit’s r/metal, Creator of Vintage Obscura, and a Reckless Scholar for Dungeon Synth.

Werendia – Folkvandringen [Sweden, Atmospheric Black / Dungeon Synth] (2020)

Self Released | 4-10-20

Well, here it is. Years of searching through dungeon synth I am starting to stumble on the mixture between it and its parent genre of black metal. This is not the first black metal / dungeon synth combination ever made nor even one in recent memory. There has been a dizzying array of experimentation either with dungeon synth being used as mood intros or even as distant atmosphere. Werendia pays tribute dungeon synth’s history with a record worshiping the structure of bands like Summoning and Caladan Brood. With the black metal vocals pushed to the past and the synth march up front, the music constructs a stage for a deeply folkloric record concerned with Scandinavian tales and history. This commitment to the theme makes up for the album’s shortcomings which include long meandering songs that nail an aesthetic but doesn’t travel much out of their own kingdom. For all its faults, Folkvandringen is a stellar record which pleases both black metal fans and dungeon synth dabblers with marching music across strange lands.

Kaptain Carbon

Kaptain Carbon is the custodian of Tape Wyrm, a mod for Reddit’s r/metal, Creator of Vintage Obscura, and a Reckless Scholar for Dungeon Synth.

Anhifohr – Condemned To Endless Sacrifice [US, Black] (2020)

Self Released | 4-10-20

I feel this EP warrants a little patience. I say this because the whole of Condemned to Endless Sacrifice is ultimately worth the time it takes to get used to the sound. This EP is noisy and rough with its production to the point of abuse. Once one gets past the intro and the intro of the second son however, they are treated to the sounds of groovy black metal in the shape of concrete slabs which are lobbed at them. This is all for fun however as the experience conducted by Anhifohr can only be described as a symphony of psychological terror with monsters stalking in the shadows. There are few polished parts in this EP with songs beginning right away and fading out when they do not need to. Everything though about this EP is part and parcel to the experience of ultimate ruin and demise.

Kaptain Carbon

Kaptain Carbon is the custodian of Tape Wyrm, a mod for Reddit’s r/metal, Creator of Vintage Obscura, and a Reckless Scholar for Dungeon Synth.

Nan Morlith – Âdhûn & Fangorn [Ireland, Dungeon Synth] (2020)

Gondolin Records | 4-6-20

It is fun when I find artists from a few years. Nan Morlith contributed a song for the Dungeon Synth Compilation I curated in 2017. “Of Mim, Last of the Petty Dwarves” was a playful synthscape of Tolkien lore and deep escapism and initally got me interested in this Irish artist. Âdhûn & Fangorn is not new rather a compilation of two 2016 releases now on Gondolin Records. Though the artist has been quiet for a few years since the releases of 2017, Âdhûn & Fangorn is still a wonderful chance to revisit or introduce yourself to the brassy tones of a world very far away.

Kaptain Carbon

Kaptain Carbon is the custodian of Tape Wyrm, a mod for Reddit’s r/metal, Creator of Vintage Obscura, and a Reckless Scholar for Dungeon Synth.

Deconsecration – Demo [US, Death] (2020)

Caligari Records | 6-12-20

Even before I saw this release was from Caligari, I was into it. The art, the name, and the sound all point to one thing which is dripping death metal. From a very short history, this style of rotting death is on the downswing after its surge in popularity a few years ago with bands like Blood Incantation and Tomb Mold. This does not mean there still isn’t great death that smells like loam and caskets rather if you have trampled this far out into the woods, you are going to be here for this anyway so here is your shovel. Lets get digging.

Kaptain Carbon

Kaptain Carbon is the custodian of Tape Wyrm, a mod for Reddit’s r/metal, Creator of Vintage Obscura, and a Reckless Scholar for Dungeon Synth.

Various Artists – The Longing Soundtrack [ Various, Dungeon Synth] (2020)

Studio Seufz | 4-3-20

The Longing is a recent video game which has garnered a bit of attention from major reviewers. Currently on Steam, it is an idle exploration game based on a character who spends 400 days underground. What is interesting about this whole affair is the soundtrack which is a smattering of dungeon synth artists who contributed music to the game. Dungeon synth and games have never been that far apart as the nature of the music lends itself to atmosphere. The majority of The Longing is created by Lord Redstone, who seems to be a composer taking on a dungeon synth persona. Scattered among the soundtrack is previous work from Erang, Erdstall, Spectral Kingdom, and dungeontroll. I would be a little bit more critical about dropping in tracks from 7 years ago into a new video game had it not been for the effectivness of this soundtrack. The mood and atmosphere exuded by its composer and guest stars make for an exciting time where dungeon synth crosses over and introduces themselves to people who never expected such a thing.

Kaptain Carbon

Kaptain Carbon is the custodian of Tape Wyrm, a mod for Reddit’s r/metal, Creator of Vintage Obscura, and a Reckless Scholar for Dungeon Synth.

Vazio – Eterno Aeon Obscuro [Brazil, Black] (2020)

Black Heart Records | 4-13-20

Lyrical themes:Void, Dark Spiritualism, Occultism, Draconian Kaballah, Mysticism, Death. I really appreciate it when a band goes all out there for an aesthetic. Vazio is going for an aesthetic and Eterno Aeon Obscuro is the debut record which will set a stage for a focused debut. I say focused since the work of Vazio, up until this point have been on splits where the complimentary band has not been complimentary in terms of theme and direction. Vazio seems to big for a split and a full size debut with large ceilings seems to be a perfect place for this style of music.

Kaptain Carbon

Kaptain Carbon is the custodian of Tape Wyrm, a mod for Reddit’s r/metal, Creator of Vintage Obscura, and a Reckless Scholar for Dungeon Synth.