Self Released

lookfar – beyond the edge of the world [US, Ambient / Dungeon Synth] (2020)

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Self Released | 7-22-20

The capitalization is intentional as I usually try to respect artists use or misuse of lettering. lookfar is weird and perhaps does not fit into the regular scheme of dungeon synth. If you know me or have read any of my dungeon synth reviews, you are aware I love experimental dungeon synth and also when artists travel far beyond the reaches of genres. beyond the edge of the world is an experiment from an artist that eschews the traditional aesthetic of dungeon synth with an ambient synth record that has elements of dungeon synth but in on a different planet all together. It helps that this artist is not a dungeon synth composer rather a musician who is interpreting the style. lookfar manages to be experimental without sacrificing recording fidelity or lapsing into nonsensical spaces. Sure there are plenty of dissonant passages within this release but they all feel apart of a surreal kingdom where nothing is right and you the outlines of material are stuttering.

Cruel Master – Demo IX [US, Black / Death / Punk] (2020)

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Self Released | 7-14-20

First off, let me preface this demo review with the aesthetic of home entry and stalker killings is not something I am completely on board with. I usually just write off weird metal aesthetics as idiosyncratic escapism but that is is something about a knife wielding maniac entering into windows that unnerves me. With all of that out of the way, take that sense of unease and give it a sleazy metal punk vibe and you have something that is unwholesome and catchy as fuck.

The Sorcerer – Memories of the Old Academy [Italy, Dungeon Synth] (2020)

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Self Released | 7-7-20

The Sorcerer is a project which continues to remind me why I enjoy this genre. Memories of the Old Academy is the fourth release in 2020 dedicated to the general magic and lore of fantasy. Adorned with artwork from 90’s CCG and festooned with rich escapist tropes, The Sorcerer is a wild embrace of the genre that doesn’t merely intend to imitate rather express oneself in the realms of the magical. I say this while accepting the bedroom qualities of the music as I feel the tone and composition of these tracks are part and parcel to a solo composer making music for dreams.

Vampyric – Where Light No Longer Reaches [US, Black] (2020)

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Self Released | 7-6-20

I am going to give it to Vampyric, this whole production works very well. Admittedly, I might be a fan of raw black and also when an artist throws themselves into a sound. Where No Light Reaches submerges itself int he raw black demo sound with dark themes and harsh sounds. The dense yet approachable tone of the music is surprisingly accessible which dances hand and hand with songs about satanic rituals and lycanthropic transformations. This looks like a goofy black metal demo but after allowing it into your heart is a well constructed demo that is running around the woods in a cloak.

Dream Division – The Devil Rides Out [UK, Dungeon Synth / Synthwave] (2020)

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Self Released | 7-3-20

“A collection of cues and soundscapes composed as an audio companion to the Dennis Wheatley Novel
‘THE DEVIL RIDES OUT”

Oh this is absolutely dreamy. The Devil Rides Out is a 1934 novel about black magic and the occult which was later turned into a 1968 film by Hammer Film Productions. the legacy of pulp and horror are running through the very core of this record that conjures the spirits of dungeon synth, synthwave, dark ambient, and film scores in a record that is dazzling and mind bending. For someone that loves the marriage between books and records as a communal experience, this record not only has given me purpose but also a quest to find other releases dedicated to novels.

Quest Master – The Twelve Castles [Australia, Dungeon Synth] (2020)

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Self Released | 6-26-20

Quest Master is new to me and I believe that is because it came in the dark period when I was not checking into new DS releases. This is a shame since The Twelve Castles seems to be the third release from a magical lo fi world that I very much want to be apart of. Melancholic and magical, this release from this artist that will be out on tape from Out of Season is something that I am glad I came back for.

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Sea Of Voices & Shy Guy 64 – REDREAM ESILICON METAGRAPHICS [ザタイピング ! オブザデッド] [

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Self Released | 6-24-20

“Projecting a psychedelic medieval dungeon exploration in music: monsters, beasts and foes are around the corner. Powerful and mysterious forces decide the fate of Gaia and the world. Time is convoluted.”

If the title did not tip you off, this is going to be non traditional dungeon synth. I will give everyone a chance to clear out if they came for proper and serious sounding dungeon synth. With that out of the way, what an absolute dream this release is and with a sound I never thought I would be into until hearing it for the first time here. DungeonWave or VaporDungeon is the creation of two artists with the goal of making music that fuses the fantasy of dungeon synth with the hypnogogic irony of vaporwave. The result is something that is insatiably tied to the aesthetics of vaporwave with its title conventions but is, at its spirit bound to the the realm of escapism.

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Ranseur – Elves, The Primordial [US, Dungeon Synth] (2020)

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Self Released | 6-28-20

I can remember the releases from Ranseur in the mid 00’s right around when dungeon noise was causing rifts among the DS scene. Ranseur was not noise rather a primitive approach to an already bare style. I still have my tape of Obsidian Throne which I got through the primitive tape label Path of Silence which made everything more exciting. I do not know how to frame this release as I do not think Elves, The Primordial is for everyone even those who are into dungeon synth. what I feel about Elves, The Primordial is that if you are already subscribed to the idea of experimentation that it might be the perfect place to start for an artist that is the living embodiment of the hermit character and this newest release is a basket of strange mushrooms they picked from the forest. Whimsical and melodious these wandering sketches are approachable and showcase the artists love for the music without the hurdles of raw lo fidelity. Elves, The Primordial makes me remember Ransuer and appreciate hearing this type of music once again.

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Of Antler And Oak – Midsummer [Canada, Dungeon Synth] (2020)

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Realm of Sleep Records | 6-21-20

This review is going to encompass all of the Realm of Sleep catalog even though I am focusing on just one release. I might not like every releases from this label (which is really just one artist) but I support the idea of using a tape label as a hub for creativity. Realm of Sleep is a creation of J. Browne who uses various avatars to create music from the woozy melodies from Of Oak and Ash to the raw noise of Hermit Of The Black Wood. Even though most of the tapes are already sold out, the limited quantity of these releases fits the aesthetic of an intimate spellcaster doing cantrips in the woods. Midsummer is Browne’s dedication to the solstice and the pagan overtones are as narcotic and dreamy as the music itself.

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Phthisis – Embodiment of Decay [US, Death] (2020)

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Self Released | 6-22-20

This is rotten. Well, I guess that is the point. Phthisis is named after the deity of rot and decay and has even put that deception as the demo title. Along with a cover that exudes rot and a sound that sounds slimey, this act is ready to be disciples of doom smoked death metal riffs that is as dark and dank as the basement in which all of this stuff is created. I love this sound and despite the band not really breaking any new ground, Embodiment of Decay is a fantastic demo from a competent set of individuals who may or may not be skeletons playing in a band.

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