Self Released

The Shakespearean Frog – Toilet Soap is Perfectly Pure [UK, Dungeon Synth] (2020)

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Self Released | 6-23-20

I would like toi note that I am baffled by these releases since there are a lot of forces that are at odds with each other. I truly believe that some of the magic with The Shakespearean Frog is its surreal ambiance of idiosyncratic charm. From the obsession with soap, to the melodious sounds of comfy synth, to the tendency to go into a jaunty rhythm, The Shakespearean Frog is less a dungeon synth artist and more a Idyllic Victorian Countryside Synth artist but that later makes little sense. What does make sense is the third release from this melodic prankster is even more fascinating when taken into account their whole existence in this world.

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Saccular – Excrescence Odium [US, Brutal Death / Grind] (2020)

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Self Released | 6-20-20

These genres are usually something I do not seek out on my own. Brutal death has its history and style which has grown to be something that is for certain people. I am not one of them. This does not mean I do not enjoy the face first dive into gross subject matter rather to do so has to be done with some tact and reservation. I cant believe I’m talking about tact with this style of music but Excrescence Odium circumvents the ordinarily sexual pathology of brutal deaths history with a half of a split that explores the outer body experience of abstract torment. The music on this split is less a collection of songs rather sheets of slime that drown the listener and while I propped up the high concept notion of the music, the Bandcamp picture is still the creator on a hood with an axe. This is goregrind that doesn’t chop at the lowest hanging fruit but rather twists and deforms itself into something unrecognizable and wonderful.

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Fogweaver / Erreth-Akbe – The Immanent Grove [US, Dungeon Synth] (2020)

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Self Released | 6-23-20

It was through Faberglade Records that I first heard Erreth-Akbe and their release If Not a Happy Ending, a True Joy. It was also through Faberglade records I saw Fogweaver’s latest release Spellwind was being included in the bundle i missed out on. It was today I saw the two artist collaborating on a split that might not excite the majority of the population but for some of us who have been following these small labels, it is a welcome surprise. Both artists bring a sense of magic and melody to a split that showcases each side as a competent composer of wonder. The Bandcamp has dedications to each other as if this meeting was the congregation of two wizards sharing spells in the forest. Maybe it was. For now we are left with a split that is instantly accessible for both veterans to small labels and new people who just wandered into this grove by happenstance.

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Μνήμα – Νεκρώσιμος Ακολουθία [Greece, Raw Black] (2020)

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Self Released 6-21-20

“One million voices,Whispering in my ears, Pulling me in to Eternal Silence.” I enjoy this whole production. From the blown out rendition of Artemisia Gentileschi’s Judith Slaying Holofernes to the near incomprehensible logo, Μνήμα really goes out on the weird ledge and brings all of the caustic terror with it. While this act has been around for a few years, Νεκρώσιμος Ακολουθία is a perfect production and primer in the world of noisy necrotic spells. Occultism reigns supreme but it is clouded by demons and the amassing dead.

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Forbidden Tomb – Demo I [Indonesia, Raw Black] (2020)

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Self Released | 6-18-20

This is the sound I love. This is also the album cover I am inherently drawn to. Forbidden Tomb is a new(?) one member (?) black metal act from Jakarta which sounds lie it could have been unearthed out of any place among the world. Its cold and desolate sound throws itself on the altar of bands like Judas Iscariot with a presentation that is as visceral and astringent as the albums in which it worships.

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Vale Minstrel – Warden of the Vale [US, Dungeon Synth] (2020)

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Self Released | 6-18-20

I do not want to be critical but I feel the only thing I dislike about this release is the logo as it does not truly capture the magic which floats around this release like magical pollen. Vale Minstrel has tagged this release with “JRPG” among other things. The more I think about it the more I am inclined to believe this music would be perfect for a cozy new gen RPG set in some distant land. Warden of the Vales full dedication to fantasy themes is evident with music that is both immersive and competent.

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Torture Tomb – Killing to See How It Feels [US, Death Metal] (2020)

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Transylvanian Tapes | 6-6-20

First of all I would like to give this band 10 points for their name as it is really cool. Second of all I would like to give this band 5 points for artwork. Last of all, I will be scattering points here and there for riffs that are scattered throughout this EP. Torture Tomb is listed as “Blackened Death Metal,” so I will throw that out there despite not really hearing black at all in this new EP. Genres though do not matter when you are being flung against the wall by encroaching zombies. Embrace the undead.

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Enbarr – Sage [Algeria, Dungeon Synth] (2020)

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Self Released | 6-20-20

Sometimes a cover says it all. Having paged through many dungeon synth and other self released records, if one has a mastery of a cover, it usually is an good indication of the music that would follow after. This is not always the case but it at least gives me hope that the music will match what was visually promised. Hailing from Algeria (!), comes Enbarr who on the third release this year, presents a conceptual record devoted to the imagery of Crystal Towers. The music is a more of old school dungeon synth which sketches a moat around the hazy image of a spire veiled in fog. Even outside of this probably being the first African DS release I have personally encountered, I am just struck about the design and the music which seems to be as promising as the front cover.

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Cynfyd – Ever So Long Ago [US, Dungeon Synth] (2020)

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Self Released | 6-9-20

I feel I know who this is or atelast the universe from where this came. I saw this release yesterday but then on other social media outlets that I have it narrowed down to a few suspects. Investigations aside, the release of Ever So Long Ago marks the debut for the Cynfyd project which begins its journey with classic sounding dungeoon synth devoted to the heathen gods of old. In its short running time (~10 minutes), Cynfyd commands your attention and weaves spells in the air outlining worlds far away. In this short demo, you are compelled to follow this stranger who you think you know but cant be sure.

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Cenobite – Soul Torn Apart [Russia, Death] (2020)

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Self Released | 6-6-20

I think this is one of the few times I am 100% with the music even if I have some criticisms about the aesthetic. I do not think Soul Torn Apart fails in its aesthetic rather I feel a band devoted to Hellraiser could be more arcane with its song titles. I only mention this since the more generic album and song titles do not reflect the absolute monster of a release this is as Cenobite channels old school death like they were summoning devils in a lab. Riffs like spires and an attitude which drags across the floor, Soul Torn Apart is one of the nastiest demos in recent memory and I almost passed it over.

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