dungeon synth

Tusen Vindar Kallar – Norrvindarna kallar | [Sweden, Dungeon Synth] (2020)

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Self Released | 5-20-20

I believe I found this searching for black metal Bandcamp releases. What a nice surprise. Tusen Vindar Kallar (no idea what it means) is a Swedish composer who throws their sound back to the cold mornings of the 1990’s with a release which bows to the icy altars of bands like Depressive Silence and Lamentation. With a cover that could be from the same era, Norrvindarna kallar | travels down frostbitten paths tying the binds of both dungeon synth and dark ambient.

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Octobeast – Voyage of Doom [Sweden, Dungeon Synth] (2020)

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Self Released | 5-19-20

This is wonderful and something that comes as a surprise. Octobeast has already released a fairly well received record in April and now returns with another record of epic sea faring synth. There has been a small wave of creature based synth or should I say dinosaur themed synth that I thought this was going to be more of the same. While we could probably lump sea monsters and dinosaurs in relatively the same universe, Octobeast presents a record of mid-fi synth that outside of its visual elements, possess all of the qualities of magical ambient that it as agnostic in theme as anything. Ill take any sort of music that is high of quality and they can throw any sort of monster them on top and we can all be happy.

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bomBARDed – OST V [US, Soundtrack / Dungeon Synth] (2020)

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Self Released | 5-19-20

There really inst a good genre for this since this is not truly dungeon synth. If I would throw out a few genres I would have to put them with caveats. This is Video Game Music but its not from a video game. This is a soundtrack but it is not from a movie. This is dungeon synth only in spirit. This is music from a podcast that is about D&D adventures and it is absolutely wonderful. bomBARDed is a D&D podcast whose background music is composed by a Texas band called Lindby. I am not sure if the members are playing the game but the podcast is what you can expect from a D&D podcast. The music in the podcasts is situated in the background and would not be so remarkable if it were not showcased on this record. OST V is ostensibly the 5th release from this series and for all intents and purposes and for all of its caveats brings a sense of escapist wonder with tidbits of magic and wonder.

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Nifheldhur – Of Wolf and Battle [Italy, Dungeon Synth] (2020)

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Self Released | 5-15-20

“Nifheldhur is a project born back in 1996 and dispersed over time. 24 years later, it comes back to life, to pay homage to shields and swords, in a concept of 4 acts, divided into the melodies of a single track ……”

I enjoy the flavor of this release. It also helps when the music is in step with the concept. Nifheldhur, for all intents and purposes, is a new band as I could not track down any of the 90’s material but we will assume it existed in some fashion before the wave of the internet. Of Wolf and Battle is the first release in this sword and shield production and is a panaorama of emotion and melodies. The grandeur of the music is restrained by the production though its lo-fi quality makes for interesting dichotomy as it is a wall sized oil painting on paper hung by tacks. Any indication that this is a criticism should be discarded as Nifheldhur achieves the vast escapism in battle scenes made in basements.

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Elador – The Last Journey [Russia, Dungeon Synth] (2020)

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Self Released | 5-14-20

It is sort of charming the new Elador comes with the frank apology of being inactive due to school and service in the Army. I always like it when dungeon synth drops its veil of secrecy and reveals very real people with real lives playing apart in this elaborate escapism. Back in 2015, Elador released a split with Medhelan called ​A Crown of Ice and Stone. That was my first dungeon synth tape purchase which led me into a frantic collector phase which I still have today. Elador’s last proper release was 2017 and like some other artists, are slowly getting back into the scene with fantastic records. Elador for anyone new is an orchestral styled artist who takes large cues from the soundtracks of Skyrim. In fact, I think there was an EP dedicated to the world of Skyrim. The Last Journey is the return of Elador but unlike the last few records, this one has pronounced sound effects and wandering melodies which is a bit jarring at times but seems to be working towards something greater. I always enjoy listening to Elador and nit just because of my history but rather this is n artist who is honest and genuine and is just a real person making fantasy ambient.

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Snowspire – A Spire Enshrouded [US, Dungeon Synth] (2020)

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Self Released | 5-13-20

When the term winter synth first started to be used, I thought it was a needless exercise in dividing up an already niche genre. This coincided with the term forest synth or forest ambient. While I think the division of sound in a small genre is sort of micromanaging a sound, devoting oneself to the chilling sounds of winter is sort of fun. A Spire Enshrouded is a soft and delightful album that steps away from the cold and informal aesthetics of other winter synth. Here beyond the crisp night are glowing lights coming from small homes which are domed with fresh snow. This is a cozy record that is full of love and warmth and is something that I would like to live in forever.

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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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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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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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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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