Lore of the Blue Mist by Foglord
Foglord has always been a mystery to me if only becasue I have seen this work evolve from a very traditional dungeon synth act to something utterly unique and visionary. My first interaction with the artist was either buying 2016’s Winter Dreams from Out of Season or hearing a track from the Masmorra Dungeon Synth Zine specifically the CD which came with the booklet. The song from that CD, “Dawn’s Embrace” is actually a good indication on what the majority of dungeon synth sounded like in 2016. Over the past few years I have seen this artist not only expand into welcome territory such as What We Said In the Woods but also posting short clips of short folk and old time music. Lore of the Blue Mist was given to me before the recent Appalachian Dungeon Fest but I actually listened to it while writing up the forthcoming article. I used this record as sort of a coda for not only the entire weekend but for a person who has traveled beyond the dungeon to create music that is haunting and ethereal and tied to the greater world. Combing dungeon synth, drone ambient, and Appalachian folk sounds like a goofy genre that would be 90% a funny and meme-able name if the music didn’t come from such a deep understanding of both worlds. I can not think of anyone more qualified to make the journey from the dungeon to wander the hills of deep Appalachia and be comfortable in both realms to make this type of music.
Great Lakes Dungeon Siege MMXXVI by Great Lakes Dungeon Siege
The Great Lakes Dungeon Siege MMXXVI compilation showcases artists playing the 2026 Great Lakes Dungeon Siege. While compilations before a show are a great way to showcase talent, the people at GLDS have wrangled an almost entirely exclusive compilation of tracks wither from b-sides, unreleased material, future releases, and in the case of the Seregost track exclusive to this compilation. This sort of meticulous attention to detail and craft is to be expected from a crew which is holding down the stronghold of Midwest DS. This compilation not only is a great display of talent but series as an invitation for anyone able to travel and see live DS from a group of people who seem to be able to make things and pulls things together effortlessly.
Tides of the Moonsea by Hillsfar
I was going to post this digest until I saw the cover for Tides of the Moonsea. How could I not talk about this album? The cover is amazing. Hillsfar is an already accomplished project whose albums are more like chapters in a continuing adventure in a place known as Moonsea. With covers looking like RPG manuals or 16 bit video game cartridges, the experience of Hillsfar is both nostalgic or romantic for an era if you never experienced it. Tides of the Moonsea is dedicated to the work of new age composer David Arkenstone which makes all of the sense for anyone familiar with his work. Hillsfar continues to make stories far beyond the dungeon which are as ever immersive just now filled with blinding light.
fur owl mice ferns by Woodland Calm
When you look at the Discogs for this artist you will notice that the label, created for this artists work is called “Not On Label” which is both confusing and hilarious. Woodland Calm is an unassuming comfy synth record which runs around 10 minutes over the course of four brief tracks. While this release is short there seems to be no rules when it comes to proper length for an effective release. The title track, “fur owl mice ferns” has a bittersweet yet resilient tone which loops in joy, sadness, and the feeling of laughter int he face of opposition. On the Bandcamp this artist adds the mantra of “nature knows neither good nor evil” which further expressed the comedic neutrality of this music as it dances on the line between dark and light.
The Ballad Of Sir Galeas The Lost by Ervald
I talked about Ervald in a previous digest mentioning that I have enjoyed seeing a story of a DS fan embolden by the community to make their own record regardless of musical background. The Ballad Of Sir Galeas The Lost is a tale of drama and a sense of epicness but still through the lens of what could be considered naive synth. While this sounds like a slight, the realms of DS can be thought of as outsider art and The Ballad Of Sir Galeas The Lost is story told by a musician in the best way they know how. This record is brought to you by Fantasy Audio Magazine which supports not only a large majority of dungeon synth releases but also records from artists who push conventions even inside an experimental scene.
By The Stream by Moss Knight
Moss Knight is an artist who is usually flanked by a cadre of cute fuzzy creatures and song titles which look like prose introductions for fairytales. Additionally this artist is usually eternally optimistic even when the music feels like it is holding back sadness. By The Stream is still from the same the same Moss Knight Universe however its long-form tracks and also the minimal naming structure lends itself to reflect in a mix of emotions. While there is of course comfy and cozy atmosphere the contemplative nature of the record allows those hidden emotions to be cast in long shadows. This does not mean By The Stream is a sad rather there is a sense smiling through tears which is palpable. By the closing track “The Sea” one feels like they just ran a gamut of emotions but are somehow better from the experience.
Rest of Souls by Iskonge
Iskonge is being released through Ancient King Records which is the label by Weress member John Lordswood. Lordswood is also the creator of not only Iskonge but Guardian of the Light and What Remains Engraved in the Marble — all projects who also have new releases. The reason for mentioning these other projects is to underline the prolific nature of not only this label but its creator. These three releases, while similar in their dreamy sound, all offer different stories which are told through subdued synth and medieval atmospheres. Rest of Souls is cavernous with its sound but without the dismal and engulfing darkness. Songs like “In The Crypt” construct a cathedral with the heavens acting as the ceiling.
Swords Against the Lich Lord by imp & Fen Walker
Swords Against the Lich Lord is a collaboration between Imp and Totem Wilds (artist label by Fenwalker). This split was sold the recent Hole Dweller show which acted as its debut in physical and digital form. Both imp and Fenwalker hail from the pacific northwest and for the most part have been crafting a dreamland with local shows and the annual Dungeon Siege West / Woodland Fortress event. The Swords Against The Lich Lord split is made up of brief vignettes by imp followed by a more than 15 minute track by Fen Walker. Though the music seems to come from two opposite sides, this split meets in the middle and seemed to be fueled by imagination and storytelling.
Spring by Hoarfrost
Over my time of blurbing this artist’s work I have always enjoyed the liner notes on each release. Spring is presented as a tribute album starting at “Dawn” and touring throughout the day finally ending at the expected “Midnight.” While you can certainly enjoy the record without the liner notes, reading the short descriptions not only illuminates the gear used (in this case two synths) but also the working processes of a malfunction which happened during recording. This sort of attention to detail and sharing shows an artist who not only cares about the craft and sound of the music but is more than happy to lean into mistakes and experiments with sound.
Tales of Loryndas by Elison
Elison is a project from Texas which does very basic yet immersive fantasy synth “from the dark world of frosinlan.” I am guessing this is an imaginary world not the province capital in the Lazio region of central Italy. Tales of Loryndas is a series of stories revolving around a central wizard figure told in the language of music which sounds like 8bit boss music. The scope of the music combined with its delivery makes for a dazzling and surreal experience that feels like an outsider masterpeice. Tales of Loryndas comes by the way of Cave Bird Records which is a new DIY tape label whose social media has lots of pretty pictures of tapes with flowers. I would have never run across this artist if not for labels like Cave Bird who specialize in what feels like genre gardening.
Songs from Tull by Mahr G’Didj & Hewer of Caves
Okay…fine. Songs From Tull is …well songs from the progressive band Jethro Tull. While Jethro Tull certainly has their popular songs also famous riffs, the band’s catalog is an underrated wonderland of baroque prog which seems to be a bubbling spring of whimsy. This split/collaboration is from North Carolinia project Mahr G’Didj as well as Tennessee project Hewer of Caves. Not only is this is a tribute to A Passion Play (1973) — one of Jethro Tull’s most disliked albums upon release, but it is perhaps one other furthest things from traditional dungeon synth further stressing the boundaries of this genre.
NOTE: Mahr G’Didj actually sent me a newer record, Power Fantasy but for some reason I saw an older message (from 2023) and decided that it was 2023 and not 2026. This is the level of sophistication AI tries to replicate. Enjoy both records and unforced errors on my part.
Old Ghosts Over The Lands by Draaiih
Draaiih comes to us via Brumal Orchard Records which is the semi artist label by the artist behind Wydraddear as well as Forge of Nova. Brumal Orchard Records has also released albums from high concept projects like The Barrowfolk and Fragmented Memories further mapping its aesthetic scope. While this label has an emerging catalog each release feels like it possesses a great deal of consideration and intent. Old Ghosts over The Lands is a haunting record which combines dark dungeon music and an almost ritual atmosphere to its experience. Draaiih is a cinematic experience but is eternally reserved in what it shares. Much like the non descriptive cover, the music of Draaiih feels wrapped in mystery and haze.
Bloom Seeker by Drifting Dots
Bloom Seeker was found by the very scientific algorithm of sorting the Bandcamp tag “dungeon synth ” releases by new and paging through opening up albums coverts that look cool. You all should try it its super fun. It also leads to things which have few supporters and potential surprises. Drifting Dots is a Ukrainian project who delves into not only electroacoustic generative experiments but also highly polished space ambient / Berlin school. Bloom Seeker is apart of the later and an accomplished record whose atmosphere feels like a soundtrack for dreaming.