Death] (2020)

Self Released | 4-20-20

Even though the Bandcamp page is sort of a mess, these two releases constitute the 2020 output from Spain’s Antiquary. Both of them are short demos with a total running time of no more than 20 minutes. Within those 20 minutes however, the listener is treated to a whirlwind experience of black / death leaning towards melody and structure just with a hanging veil of raw production. I feel this band could exist in another production sphere and be even more striking as their ability to stretch their legs musically collides with a catastrophic production. Still, both demos (?) are well worth your time if you have nothing else but gravedigging to do.

Execration Chamber – White Flames Fading in Spectral Aura [Poland, Dungeon Synth] (2020)

Forgotten Castle Records | 4-28-20

Dungeon synth is dark and sometimes I forget where the genre came from. Dungeon synth in 2020 is whatever the creator wants it to be with an array of styles from the light and airy to the dark and slightly damp. Execration Chamber pays tribute t the spirits of old with a release of plodding dungeon crawlers with hints of majesty. If the spectral cover was not enough indication, Execration Chamber is going to be filled with ghosts, grief, and the memories of a past long gone.

Pyre – Chained to Ossuaries [Russia, Death] (2020)

Memento Mori | 4-27-20

Before we begin, this is a full length scheduled to come out on Memenoto Mori on April 27th, which was a few days ago. There is no current option to purchase, support, or even own a digital copy of this sample (?). This makes it a little frustrating since this release is crispy and rotting at the same time. Russian death is not unheard of rather is exists dwarfed by other underground genres coming from the country — nameley black metal. This is why when Pyre presents a slick old school worship in the same vein as Massacre or Pestilence, it is going to hit harder than normal. This is what I want from my death metal, something that comes with the force of a rusty tire iron.

Synthosaurus – Gigantic Throne [Germany, Dungeon Synth] (2020)

Self Released | 4-27-20

I am going to preload this review by saying I feel the goofiness of this record is way over the top. This is even accounting for the other Synthosaurus record has a T. Rex playing a synth on the cover. Dungeon synth is not far from comedy but Synthosaurus not only rips the veil of reverence off but paints sparkly dinosaurs on it with glitter glue. Add to this the half baked story of scientists uncovering music recorded by dinosaurs and you ave something that you could probably dispose of or never have encountered in the first place. Perhaps in the only possibly twist of fate, Synthosaurus overcomes their own self imposed hurdles and presents a record so astounding in execution that it is baffling it works. This is not to say the heavy handed sound effects dont make for a chuckle rather, Synthosaurus traverses the prehistoric lands before veils of secrecy and self importance and frolics in the jungles of new age inspired synth in a land that time has forgotten.

Feral Light – Life Vapor [US, Black / Rock] (2020)

Self Released | 5-22-20

This was tagged as “Black ‘n’ Roll” in both Bandcamp and Metal Archives but I am just going to tag it as rock until further notice. I have no idea what constitutes Black ‘n’ Roll but I feel it should be more of a cohesive sound than influences of hard rock. Feral Life is strange but it is their ambiguity which works in their favor. This Us act has a cover which is pulling into the harsh dissonant black / death direction but a sound which is pushing into post metal territory. The band also has a longer history than most of the acts covered on this blog with 3 full lengths in a few short years. Also with a lyrical shift from war to mysticism, it seems like this band is going to take a little bit to bloom into the horrid creature it is becoming. For now we maybe in the evolving stages and for that, Life Vapor is full of intrigue and crisp songwriting that I am strangely okay with all of this.

Avdypet – Kapittel I [Norway, Dungeon Synth] (2020)

Self Released | 4-22-20

Hello, this is wonderful. Avdypet is brand new but but the sounds of the first release, this act has sidestepped, and maybe leaped, over the acceptable bog of lo-fi experimentation and now is trotting through the woods of deep production. Kapittel I sounds established and from its cover to the track lengths and just air of authority, could be a record from one of the modern luminaries of the genre. If you are new to this whole DS thing and wonder what the big deal is, give Kapittel I a moment to spirit you away to a lush firest still wet with the morning dew and outlines of castles in the distance.

Mulla – هل تحتاج إلى [Iraq, Black] (2020)

Self Released | 4-24-20

Well, this certainly comes with a cautious approach. Metal from non western countries is not uncommon. Black metal from non western countries is a little bit more rare but not unheard. Heavy metal from the middle east is even more of a rarity and black metal from Iraq with lyrical themes about Islam. the only reason why I am hesitant is that daydreaming concepts like this sometimes lead to incidents like Ghost Bath or Janaza where blogs run with ideas before the music catches up. Mulla is new with a full length (complete with an aggressive cover) already completed. هل تحتاج إلى is the acts follow up EP with two songs but a running time nearing 30 minutes. IT takes awhile to actually hurdle the thematic and conceptual aspects of this EP but once people do clear it, they are left with an above average second wave worship with crystal clear production and punchy execution. Its easy to review the music as its agnostic nature under shredded vocals makes it approachable and enjoyable. The lyrical and more meta review of this band is going to be forthcoming as if everything is on the level, Mulla has the potential to be talked about by many people.

<a href="http://mulla.bandcamp.com/album/--2">هل تحتاج إلى by Mulla</a>

Old Tower – The Last Eidolon [Netherlands, Dungeon Synth] (2020)

Profound Lore | 4 -24-20

Old Tower was one of dungeon synth’s biggest success stories. From the 2017 release of The Rise of the Specter to the 2017 Bandcamp article, which for a time feature the album cover as its main graphic, to the 2018 release of Stellary Wisdom on Profound Lore, Old Tower seemed to propel from the basement to playing real live shows at real live festivals with real live people. This success story was also cheered on by the community as Old Tower’s music, despite its increasing popularity was never maligned or questioned in terms of authenticity as this Dutch composer paid tribute to dungeon synths history with dark ruminating passages of dungeon dwelling symphonies. The Last Eidolon comes after the composer’s foray into the bleaker dark ambient genre with the result being a slower, darker, more minimalist take on traditional dungeon synth. This is dungeon synth as it is suffocated by dark ambient as the last few regal breathes are consumed by the void.

Bythos – Womb of Zero [Finland, Black] (2020)

TERRATUR POSSESSIONS | 4-24-20

This was waiting to be found. TERRATUR POSSESSIONS is not going to be some hidden gem label as they have released some important records not least many of Icelandic black albums that took up the mid 00’s. I do not know how I got here but this was just released and I was here anyway so here we go. Bythos is a new entity with not much in the way of information but that is the main aesthetic for many bands. Production wise, Womb of Zero is on the higher end with swirling melodies that never dissolve into noise. These melodies are anchored by harsh vocals which, for as strange as it sounds, are accessible for the gravely quality. Bythos for all of its Luciferian orthodox motif is a black metal album that potential crossover appeal as solid listenable black metal record supported by a label with a few years of experience to their name.

Shau – Voyager [New Zealand, Dungeon Synth] (2020)

Self Released | 4-22-20

This is lovely. Often times, space synth can sound different than dungeon synth as its theme transforms the music into a sci fi landscape of far out sounds. Shau’s Voyaer is dungeon synth at its core with a constellation of other influences ranging from new age to ambient to kosmische musik. The most fascinating part about this whole experience is not the quality of music but how unassuming and humble it comes. With quiet inspiration based on the Voyager missions, these six tracks represent a new plateau in space synth / sci fi DS. I can only imagine what the future is going to sound like.