dungeon synth

Alloch Nathir – The Emerald Grotto [US, Dungeon Synth] (2020)

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Self Released | 6-25-20

The tag of “forest synth” most often times refers to a variety of dungeon synth which is either inspired by the sounds of the forest, has forest ambient on top of the music, or both. Forest synth is also wild in its interpretation where one can have experimental ambient or more structured fantasy synth. Alloch Nathir is in the later camp with a record that is both regal and mystical with ambient bird calls buried deep within its music. The emerald Grotto then turns into a record which is inviting, warm, and kind at hart offering the listener nothing less than a retreat from whatever madness is in the current world. The Emerald Grotto is currently up for tape preorder which ships around summertime. This might be perfect for anyone currently unable to travel far outside as this will be a small mental retreat to a solitary clearing in the woods.

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Fogweaver – Spellwind [US, Dungeon Synth] (2020)

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Self Released | 2-7-20

Spellwind was a February release from Us based Fogweaver which was a followup to a self titled debut in 2019. Both releases were greeted with acclaim and praise from the small community of fans most certainly for their somberness and mystical qualities. Spellwind is also the second release inspired and dedicated to Ursula K. Le Guin’s Earthsea series. Similar to the ERRETH-AKBE release a few month’s back, Spellwind captures the non Tolkien focus and opens up a world guided by seas and islands and allows soft fantasy synth to populate the world. I maybe a little late on this release but I am thankful I did catch it before it flew away.

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Fen Walker – The Totem Wilds Call Thy Name [US, Dungeon Synth] (2020)

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Dungeon Deep Records | 3-14-20

It is odd and wonderful to see a dungeon synth record, which came out a few weeks ago and still with a massive amount of Bandcamp support. Fen Walker is a Us based dungeon synth artist whose second record continues on the progressive path of the debut Hail! O’ Barrow Lands! . I have already lauded the progressive sound of dungeon synth with Hole Dweller and Fen Walker’s The Totem Wilds Call Thy Name adds to my hypothesis that basement fantasy synth mixed with a 70’s progressive structure is not only agreeable but also something that could define the sound if given the chance. With the grounds for experimentation which does not lapse into artsy experimentation, the wild journeys one travels is completely immersive and something that transports the listener to far away lands.

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Erreth-Akbe – If Not a Happy Ending, a True Joy [US, Dungeon Synth] (2020)

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Self Released
1-8-20

I would like to thank Fableglade Records for breaking a streak of not purchasing dungeon synth tapes. Soemthing that always speaks to me is things released in series and the Spring Batch of fantasy synthscape tapes from this label was enough to get me back into the habit. It also helps that the first in the series is a remarkable dedication to Ursula K. Le Guin’s Earthsea books which is both dramatic, personal, and immersive. If the quality of releases is even close to the first in the series, then Fableglade Records is going to be a delight for the rest of the year. Come forengaging soundscapes but stay for the mystery of story.

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Empyreal Forest – Divinations [US, Dungeon Synth] (2020)

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Self Released | 1-4-20

I have had a long sordid history with dungeon synth which is both weird and amazing. I do not think I have covered any dungeon synth on this site since the first Erang record which sent me head first into the genre. At this moment I do not wish to cover the genre as extensively as I did but hearing Empyreal Forest ‘s 15 minute release not only dredges up foind memories but also aesthetically fits with some of the other records on this site also adorned in dismal black and white album covers. Dismal Ruin is a new label which specializes in dungeon synth, dark ambient, and second wave black metal which is varied across the label’s four releases. Empyreal Forest seems to be a new entity but is already entrenched in its worship of DS luminaries like Depressive Silence and Thangorodrim just cloaked in more atmospheric noise. The result is something that intimate but also cold in its wanderings through fog veiled forests. I do not think Ill ever get back into dungeon synth like I did but maybe perhaps there is room on this blog for more things like this.

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