Moon Gates by Aura Merlin
Tags: ambient, fantasy synth, grimoire grooves, merlin school, new age. I know some of those are made up but I want all of them to be true. Even though this artist now only has three proper releases, each record from Aura Merlin feels accomplished and stemming form a lifetime of work. Perhaps this is the the air of professional collaborations including vocals by Frostgard and mastering by Tristan Feilla, cello by Arianna Mahsayeh, or the artwork by Lizbeth Poirier. Perhaps it is the absolute confidence and craft the artist takes when it comes to combining new age, dungeon synth, downtempo, and something that sounds like it would be from a fantasy themed vaporwave album. What ever it is, Aura Merlin feels ever present even even when they are they are not releasing records but it feels like a whole different world when they are.
Key XXVI: Hidden Life by Lichencloak
Finally. If anyone remembers way back in the halcyon days of 2021, there was a label called Acanthus who mysteriously released 4 tapes with little information. It was guessed that this was a mystery project with the people participating probably members of the DS community. With the release of Key XXVI: Hidden Life, Lichenclok is revealed to be Evergreen (Fogweaver, Snowspire, Hideous Gomphidius, Keys To Oneiria). I enjoy mystery and even if this project remained in the shadows one of the more exciting things is the full release of this record as the original Acanthus releases had an entire side which was tape only. Now with enough passage of time we can reflect upon past mysteries and finally look towards the future — which will probably have more mystery.
The Escapist by Old Sorcery
I remember the release of 2017’s Realms of Magickal Sorrow and am not surprised as the eventual legacy of Finnish artist Old Sorcery. This projects debut fit into everyone expectation and desire for “old school dungeon synth” and its cover depicting a lonesome castle was the thing people need at the time. The Escapist marks a new venture for the project and also first full length after many years. With the lush opener “Dethrone Reason, Crown My Heart,” this artist reveals themselves as not just someone who made that old school dungeon synth looking record in 2017 but an alchemist who can blend various moods and aesthetics into an experience worthy of the earned legacy.
Zwischen den Welten by Entfremdung
Isilya Records is a sub label for Gondolin which seems to embrace the winter / cosmic aesthetic of things like Voldsom Tapes and the wild adventure of old MP3 blogs. This tape release by Entfremdung is also included in a batch with Grotte de Cristal, Skymningsvävd, and Nortfalke which continues the label’s short tradition of making me look really close to make sure I spelled everything correctly. Gondolin Records is second to few when it comes to crafting an aesthetic and the entire catalog of Isilya Records is for anyone who likes collecting obscure dark dungeon music on discogs just not with a more reasonable price.
Orc Cave by Gate Scroll
I love high Mage records as they release some goofy stuff. I also love high Mage records when they release semi serious things as it shows this label as a just a group of people who like cool things. Gate Scroll is a US based project with only one release which is “inspired by the realms of EverQuest made in the forests of Maine.” There are only four tracks on this release but with the drums and hazy synthesizers one is transported to 1999 where you are leaving the comforts of reality to embark on an MMORPG adventure without a care in the world. This feels like vaporwave with a swap of shitty irony for endless optimism and escapism.
Melodies for Ghosts by Warlock Corpse
I will stop writing about Warlock Corpse when they stop making interesting records. I have talked about this project who devotes their chaotic existence to making leftfield dungeon experiments oftentimes mixing with noise and gabber music. Melodies for ghosts sis something different as its “inspired by Japanese tales of ghosts and the supernatural.” Rather than Keller synth, tanzelcore, gabber, black metal, or some combination of either, Melodies for Ghosts is a spectral lullaby which sounds like a final Fantasy soundtrack just recorded directly to tape in some cool basement somewhere where I probably do not know about.
Splitrock Battle Hymns by Mythstone
Mythstone played live for the first time at the Great Lakes Dungeon Siege just this month. This project is a combination of two of the more theatrical dungeon synth groups Elyvion and Redhorn Gate. You don’t need to know the back story to enjoy this record but the immersive cinematic qualities of the debut Splitrock Battle Hymns makes more sense when knowing who is behind the what I assume are troll and dwarven masks. Mythstone leans into the fantasy elements of dungeon synth with music that could be scores for epic fantasy movies and in fact possesses many areas of dark and light which makes music cast by torchlight. There is an intense drama which plays out throughout the releases and could be invaluable for people looking for an adventure in music.
among all ghosts ever returning by Fragmented Memories
I got a tape of this in the mail without knowing it was being sent to me. Fragemented Memories has sent me things before and what I am always looking forward to it the packaging design. among all ghosts ever returning, the newest release from Fragmented Memories, came in a 40 edition handdubbed series of tapes with photos by Peter Beste adorning the inside. This sort of care, produced by the French label Brumal Orchard Records compliments the dreamlike qualities of the music. It is an incredible achievement visually which fitting for a project which takes great care in crafting their atmosphere.
The Toad Folk II by Tales Under The Oak
Its funny that I still don’t know who Tales From Under the Oak is and I have written abut their releases for years. At some points it feels like this artists doesn’t exist rather these releases are from a cadre of faeries who occasionally leave music on a doorstep. The Toadfolk II is a multimedia chapter in an ongoing exercise in world building. Both a soundtrack and a written story which build the lore. Every time I listen to a new record from this project I am continually amazed at the level of mystery and depth that is created. For a project that is built around the aura of fairytales and a sense of wonder, those aesthetics are conveyed an experience which is immersive and dazzling.
Arda’s Herbarium: A Musical Guide to the Mystical Garden of Middle-Earth and Stranger Places by Ithildin
At this point I am not going to write anymore abut Ithildin and this project until its either done or the next chapter. I just want to say I am so happy to see this idea, once releasing on Voices of the Anuir, now to continue through Gondolin Records. For those who haven’t read my numerous reviews on Ithilin’s music, this is a multi release project socially illustrating the flora (In alphabetical order) of Middle earth based on the book Flora of Middle-Earth: Plants of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Legendarium by Walter S. Judd and Graham A. Judd. The 45 tracks collected on three tapes represent probably about 1 quarter of the full project which still has yet to be made. Ithildin is an amazing artist and i have always been a large supporter for ridiculous sized projects which perhaps makes one feel like they took on too much but are going to finish it anyway.
The Woodcutter’s Fiddle by Goosehiss
Goosehiss was one of the new to me artists I learned through working on the Dungeon Shamble on r/dungeonsynth. this artist’s submission and subsequent release The Lake Remembers a Shape That Was Never There was so surreal and well crafted it felt strange to be just be released through a small community compilation. The Woodcutter’s Fiddle is a short EP with haunting string arrangements which feel like a sole fiddle player casting a musical spell by the camp firelight. It is a time for spooky themes and i am glad an artist named Goosehiss is here to help.
Temporal Passages by Temporal Passages
Temporal Passages came to me during the very scientific process of paging through new releases and clicking on cool looking artwork. As of writing this this release has zero supporters and for the most part was made for the sole purpose of making something. A strange blend of soft dungeon melodies and experimental noise, Temporal Passages is just someone messing around with their keyboard with the final 18 minute eponymous closer being done entirely on a Casio CA-100 (you can get one now for 30$). Experimental bedroom music might not be everyone’s style but some of us enjoy the shit out if this and is happy that it is done and out there in the wild for us to find.
Recollections of a Norrovian Soldier by Ervald
I had the chance to watch this release being conceptualized and executed on the Melkor’s discord. The user (Ervlad) was inspired and encouraged by fellow users to just go for it and make a record even though they have never done something like this before. Outside of being a very competent first attempt at music which does not shy from experiments and melodies, recollections of a Norrrovian soldier represents perhaps one of the truest spirits of dungeon synth which is a DIY soundtrack to D&D campaigns and the distilling of imagination into music which was perhaps only made possible by a community which appreciates all of the things I just mentioned. I got into this style because I appreciated the visionary aesthetic of some of its music and Ervald, for me, continues the tradition of people saying “fuck it I am going to do it.”
Specters Aflame on Hallow’s Eve by Jack ‘o Lantern
I could do many festive releases since this is the time where pumpkin synth and other spooky oddities are released without warning. Jack ‘o Lantern is from the Great Lakes Dungeon synth collective and is one half of the group Mors Vitaque. Specters Aflame on Hallow’s Eve is not a “serious” release but that does not mean it is without merit. The distant programmed blast beats and the ever present synth sounds like something that would be piped into rocks at a haunted house. The cover, a crop of The Pumpkin Harvest (1897) by Giovanni Segantini, feels even more in the spirit with a Jack O Lantern face imposed on the pumpkin. If you are reading this on Halloween Friday you are required by law to listen to festive music. Enjoy.