US

Svart Solace – East Of The Tower Mill [US, Dungeon Synth / Ambient] (2020)

Standard

Self Released | 8-3-20

It is comforting to see a DS release without a tape option since I know that I did not miss out on it. I just joke since I would most certainly be upset when i missed out on the tape release of this record. Svart Solace is an ambient composer that has found their way into the world of dungeon synth. Formed in June of this year, Svart Solace has released multiple records plus a compilation of early works and has no intention of stopping now. While the June releases are interesting, East of the Tower Mill proves to be the most accessible yet. Paranoid and quiet, Svart Solance masters the art of melancholy and reflection with a calm record of surreal ambiance.

Ænigmatum – Adorned in Wrath [US, Black / Death] (2020)

Standard

Burning Coffin Recs | 9-22-20

Before wandering into this release expecting blistering black / death, allow me to explain all of these noodles. Ænigmatum is a Us based band that does play a variety of black / death but it leans more inteo blackened death. I do not like to differentiate between the two that much but for this instance it is best to think about the combination of black/death to be one sound with progressive melodies running on top. Think less Blasphemy and more Behemoth. That might all be confusing but what is not is a fantastic followup demo to a 2019 debut that sort of went ignored. Adorned in Wrath is seeing a tape release from Burning Coffin Recs based in Chile so it is my hope that this demo sees a larger audience that can help with sound differentiation.

Little Spells – The Forest Twigs Are My Wands [US, Dungeon Synth] (2020)

Standard

Lost Armor | 8-3-20

Regardless if this dungeon synth is your style, one has to admit it is popular and perhaps one of the defining milestones of the the last few years in terms of sound. Comfy / mountain / village / nature / quiet / small / tiny or any other adjective to showcase the docile qualities of music that sounds like field mice brewing potions. The Forest Twigs Are My Wands is a compilation of two 2019 demos with a 30 copy tape release that was sold out in a matter of minutes. I enjoy the enthusiasm both from the creator and more importantly the community when it comes to this style of dungeon synth. It is endearing and above all else esoteric.

Darken Wood – VI [US, Dungeon Synth / Ambient] (2020)

Standard

Self Released | 7-26-20

It is sometimes amusing to go back through a catalog and see that I bought something from an artist and never checked back to see what they were doing. Darken Wood’s debut was released in 2017 to positive reception including myself. That was around the same time i took a hiatus from keeping up to date with new DS. Much to my delight, the artist behind Darken Wood has continued the journey through ambient dungeon synth with a modest release schedule. VI is the first and most likely only release this year and adds another chapter in an ongoing conceptual journey through misty landscapes billowing with mystic fog. I am so grateful that artists continued to release music since now I can work my way through this discography like a series of fantasy novels.

ABREACTION – Puer Aeternity [US, Death] (2020)

Standard

Aggressively Uninterested } 7-30-20

This is so funny and amazing and only for a few people to enjoy. I do not know where to start. Perhaps the comedic nihilism with the label name or the fact the cover looks like a shirt or the fact this demo? is so arrogant in its raw disgust that it’s imperfections are at the core of its charm. ABREACTION is apart of a label/ collective that seems to be hellbent on crushing the idea of beauty between its slimy claws. Ostentatious and presumptuous, this is death metal that has crawled its way out of a hole and now is coming in and tackling people in broad daylight.

Húrin – Lord of Waters [US, Dungeon Synth] (2020)

Standard

Self Released | 7-17-20

I do listen to many releases that are sent to my email. I usually listen to more dungeon synth than metal but that is only because there are less dungeon synth promo rings emailing me everyday. Most of the time is when the artist sends me a message and I get to listen to an spectacular album I may not have found on my daily searches. Húrin is a US based composer who has taken the very familiar path of Tolkien themed dungeon synth. While this sounds like other releases, Lord of Waters separates itself from the pack with a record of minimal synth that is apart of the dungeon synth world but with portals opened to other avant dimensions. Ruminating, artsy, and escapist, Lord of Waters beckons its listener into the cold and dark palaces at the bottom of Ekkaia.

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

Standard

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.

Exire – Across Rivers of Yore [US, Neofolk / Dungeon Synth] (2020)

Standard

Self Released | 7-13-20

This is not the weirdest thing I have covered on here but it is close. While dungeon synth is oddly connected to black metal by obscure stone path, the realm of neofolk lies even further by twisted overgrown trail. The similarities between all of these genres is still the sense of melancholy and loss which aches in the music. That and low costed and pressed tapes. Across Rivers of Yore is a US based artist whose 2020 release is seeing a print on Irish based tape label Fomorian Hate Recordings. I am honestly incredibly intrigued by this sound and while it eschews most of the traditions of what is featured on this blog, I feel a connection that calls out from eons past./

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

Standard

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.

Hallucination / Arapaima – Death Ambient [US, Dark Ambient / Noise] (2020)

Standard

Moonworshiper Records | 7-12-20

This is certainly something. Dark Ambient is less interesting to me than dungeon synth for various reasons. Dark ambient is also a bigger genre with longer history but still with the same amount of audience. Dark Ambient is hard to approach due to its nebulous nature which matches its nebulous sound. Moonworshipper records has been the weird misfit int he Ds scene for years with its releases that were like dead animals inside cardboard boxes. The Death Ambient split is something that I would not have intentionally sought out outside of its cover. While Hallucination’s harsh noise wall / drone is certainly par for the course, it is Arapaima’s side with its haunted acoustic folk that really shines and when married with Hallucination, becomes sublime.