Vexev – Abyssus Abyssum Invocat [France, Black] (2020)

Self Released | 5-6-20

I know the tag for this record states it is raw black but I would be more comfortable putting it in the mid tier of black metal. This is not to take away from the bare nature of Vexev’s music rather their production is neither claustrophobic nor oppressive rather they have an entire empty cathedral to play in and it is through this space that their music swoops and dives like phantoms rising out of the walls. Abyssus Abyssum Invocat is the band’s deb ut full length and first release which is surprising given the genre. With no demo, EP or rehearsal to precede this, Vexev makes their first declaration and by all accounts it is loud enough to gain attention.

Lord Orots – Mors Solum Initium [US, Dungeon Synth] (2020)

The Obsidian Order | 5-6-20

I am going to give it to Lord Orots. This is quite alright. It takes a lot of confidence to put yourself in a cloak and a Halloween mask on the cover of your 25 edition tape. It takes a lot of confidence and trust in your audience to ignore any criticism and just go with the music. Mors Solum Initium goes with the music with an EP of old school dungeon synth that aside from being slightly repetitive, achieves the mood and atmosphere desired by so many cloaked devotees. The Obsidian Order is a US based tape label that seems to be going for the strange and wild with a roster full of dark ambient and noise releases that when put side by side, makes Mors Solum Initium perhaps the most melodic. I am going to give it to Lord Orots, this is quite alright.

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

Self Released | 5-22-20

There is something about the palette of grey, black and blue that makes a cover so enticing. Even before listening to the newest demo from Ænigmatum, one knows what they are in for. Rather than a blistering black-white-red palette of black/death, one is treated to the twisting catacombs of an alien landscapes where walls breathe and the floors arrest your movement. Adorned in Wrath manages to build a non euclidean temple on the border between accessibility and harshness with melody, hooks that dance in macabre circles with dissonant elements and angular songwriting.

Walther – Songs from Windhelm [Germany, Dungeon Synth] (2020)

Self Released | 5-4-20

I have no idea of the title of this release is in relation to the location in Skyrim, but I am going to guess it is. I have no idea since the rest of track titles are in German and do not directly point to video games for inspiration. This is all okay since Walther (Bard’s Leap) gives us a full release of light classical dungeon synth which wafts through open windows in stately manors. I would be hesitant to put this under the same sort of court music that is a favored style among other musicians as Songs from Windhelm is narcotic and enticing but interesting enough to keep one from falling asleep. This is the first release from Bard’s Leap and I am hoping for more to come out of this palatial estate of dreams.

Maniac – Managed [US, Grind / Death] (2020)

Self Released | 5-5-20

“Recorded in isolation..by choice.” Aside from the color palette of the cover, I enjoy the whole vibe of Maniac. This demo(?) is perhaps the living essence of not giving a fuck and that feeling firing like artillery shells. When Managled gets going, one is given the experience of 90’s style death just caffeinated and forced to watch more gore films than comfortable with. Maniac is perhaps a wonderful herald for times when things are uncertain and this is just a screaming harbinger for impending doom.

Celestial Conjuration – Demo II [Australia, Black / Dungeon Synth] (2020)

Self Released | 5-3-20

I did it! I found a release that is almost 50/50 split between dungeon synth and black metal which will go great on this site since that is what I do. Celestial Conjuration was found through dungeon synth channels though by all rights, this is an atmospheric black record that is draped in the heavy cloaked of astral synth. In fact, one of the tags for this record is “astral depression” which I never knew I needed until now. Yes, this record is far from produced and perhaps only speaks to like 4 people who will enjoy it but those four people (myself included) are on a shamanistic journey of absolute melancholy.

Amargor – Cilicis fragmenten el que queda d’un [Raw Black, Spain] (2020)

Self Released | 3-5-20

I think I enjoy the overall texture of this record. That sounds weird but as a whole, Cilicis fragmenten el que queda d’unis a grinding experience powered by raw emotion and even more raw production. This project also comes with the tag of depressive black but in reality when you are this far into the tunnel of raw production, there is no distinguishing emotions as you grope in the dark for anything only to find bare walls. This is the first release from Armargor and if this act keeps things up like the draining presence of “Cars fantasmes naixent amb la set que m’agita,” which seethes industrial animosity, then I feel we are going to be strained lovers.

Runecaster – The Scarlet Kingdom [UK(?), Dungeon Synth] (2020)

Cosmic Ocean | 5-1-20

I think it was listening to the track “Scrying at The Clear Fountain,” that I went from mildly pleased with The Scarlet Kingdom to purchasing the tape and getting really excited over this act. Imagine my surprise to learn that this is the second tape this year for Runecaster as it continues the jaunty synthscapes of the debut but in a more mellow dreamlike kingdom. In fact, Runecaster’s grip on lo-fi lullabies transform The Scarlet Kingdom from a decent idiosyncratic fantasy synth record to one of the better releases of the year. This came out of nowhere and I am trying to stay calm.

Abduction – Cyclopean Thunderbolt [UK, Black] (2020)

Goatprayer Recordalbum s | 5-20-20

I remember being absolutely smitten with Abduction’s 2019 All Pain as All Pain as Penance a cathartic dive into noisy black metal. Now, without much preamble comes a blinding demo with perhaps the coolest name all year. Cyclopean Thunderbolt is a mess of ruminating atmosphere and a production that sounds like a witch loosely chained to the walls of a cellar. I say loosely as the bonds which bind her are breaking and the threat is becoming more of a reality. these are the things I think about when enveloped in throaty vocals and towering guitar lines. This is everything I need at the moment.

AMON OBEL – The Night-fearer’s Funeral [Luxembourg, Dungeon Synth] (2020)

Self Released | 4-30-19

I want you to be prepped for ambient noise and a sense of windy unease. AMON OBEL has made a dungeon synth record dedicated and based around the lore of Tolkien. That in of itself is not unique nor even a surprise in a genre steeped in fantasy. What is unique and striking about The Night-fearer’s Funeral is the anxious presentation that mixes dreamy soundscapes with roots of hidden horror. I do not know if it was intended to create a record with Tolkien lore titles and marry them with ghoulish organ synth and wrap it up with a chilly album cover that seeps any warmth from the atmosphere but I will be the first to say, it works and I am ravenous for more.