Naïve Magic: A Dungeon Synth Digest #20—Roundup
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King of the Golden Hall is one of three reissues overseen by Out of Season showcasing the early work of fantasy ambient composer Jim Kirkwood. Kirkwood's previous release, Master of Dragons (1991), was already a celebrated work, and now King of the Golden Hall (1991), Where Shadows Lie (1990), and Uruk-Hai (1992) are all pulled from the same era.
Kirkwood's work has already been celebrated in the dungeon synth community for being an early prototype for what would eventually become dungeon synth. Kirkwood, who had no connection with the ‘90's black metal scene,captured the same at-home lo—fantasy synth which would eventually become revered in the current scene. In fact, Kirwood's work forecasts more of what we would consider modern dungeon synth than some of the ‘90’s artists. Season's tireless work in archiving early synth works for the contemporary community only strengthens our understanding of underground synth and builds bridges into the past.
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If there is anything you can count on, it’s HDK putting out amazing stuff that is most likely sold out by the time you read about it. Lets see, as of writing, there are three remaining cassettes. It is not difficult to see why this label is so popular. Outside of releasing a wonderful melange of synth related genres, HDK are dedicated to mixing the hobbies of tabletop RPGs and synth music. HDK Adventurers Magazine # 2 is a compilation of four-tracks from MAANSKILD, GOBLINTH, XIII SCALE, and ROOK. These four artists contribute the soundtrack to four 1 page RPGs, written and designed by HDK. Each track is specifically written for the adventure, making the entire package an interesting marriage of gaming and synth music.
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"Recommended for fans of old Conan paperbacks, ‘80’s and ‘90’s dark fantasy, and a VHS atmosphere." Vikorra Doom is the second act on the Cryo Crypt label and leans into the dark fantasy aspect of dungeon synth. Actually, falling into a dark mire would be more accurate. While most of dungeon synth is vast with its sound, The Ghost from Sheol pays tribute to the classic sounds of ‘90’s releases as well as the early part of the dungeon synth revival with dirge like melodies which sound more like the footsteps of a jailer as they skulk through the dungeons. Recommended for fans of dungeon synth which underlines the dungeon aspect of the synth.
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At this point in 2024, Fourthpeak have had three solid releases and growing support from the community. It is not hard to find reasons. From a well-produced sound to a style which is loved by others, Fourthpeaks' take on winter synth is combined with album art from romantic painters. It is majestic and somber and entirely accessible. Icebound is the third release from the artist and first this year, marking the season of winter synth with music filled with grace and substance that is as hopeful as it is melancholic.
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You might not know Cauldron80 by name, but you might have seen the name Wydraddear or, if you are super cool, then ))o((, Baddoar, Bruine, Le Gris, lllllll, Mr. Hare, or Vermillion. All of these are aliases for a creator whose style ranges from the morose medieval music to comfy synth with rabbits on the cover. Cauldron80 is an agreement between different parties, and Ancient Gods a somber sounding chip synth which sounds like the title screen of a very esoteric computer game from 1992.
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Both the artist name and the album titles come from the fantasy universe of The Witcher. Zireael is the name of Ciri's Sword, with Brokilon being the name of a mythical forest inhabited by dryads and elves. Brokilon is the first release on the Arcane Chapel bandcamp, which seems to be a future place for more releases by the creator Ziri. A fantasy, ambient take on The Witcher is unique, but the way Zireael employs the sound is truly fascinating. Instead of an expected dark symphony, Brokilon is spectral with its melodies, which are more like ghosts than monsters. Zireael's blend of lofi drone and spectral electronics is a treat for any who find themselves lost in the woods.
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You know the feeling you get when everything is delightful? This is the atmosphere of Exit To Winter Plant by the "sure, whatever, let’s go" named Death Hags. Although the name of the act implies some sort of morose content, Exit to Winter Planet is a joyous celebration of bouncy, moog-inspired synth which calls upon many inspirations such as Wendy Carlos, Stereloab, and Air. Death Hags also employs a heavy holiday aesthetic into the mix, making the record nostalgic, sad, and hopefully all at once. It is certainly something that comes unexpectedly, but once it does, you are glad for its arrival.
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If this cover at all seems odd, just head over to The Phantom Order Bandcamp and then start over in front of the beginning. Tyrannus is the name of the creator of The Phantom Order, a housing unit for lofi DS, noise, raw black, and witchy electronics. Most of the material on Phantom Order is Tyrannus-created, and Angel Prayer's one of the newest releases. I would tell you how many releases but since it is a bit obscure, Angel Prayer is close to the 20th release for this project. Taking in everything, Angel Prayers is a fascinating dive in the slipstream of lofi electronics. The witchhouse beats combined with processed vocals on the verge of torture gives the release a special aesthetic which is close to a haunted warehouse everyone tries to quickly walk by.
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Of the Sullen Strait is one of two releases by Artgal in the month of January with the second, Ode to Mairenn, released a few days after the first. Both releases are a part of a tribute to the great season of winter synth. Through droning soundscapes which combine both despondency and magic, Artgal manages to take a very familiar style and make it engaging through adroit execution. Of the Sullen Strait is the lighter of the two releases, with Ode to Mairenn being dedicated to "the sick, the hopeless, and the heartbroken." Both releases are a strong opening statement from an artist who seems to understand winter at its very core.
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"Sometimes Harry gets thrown into an alternative setting. Those albums are marked as "concept albums." I absolutely love the declaration on the Bandcamp as if to keep the lore of Harry Hamster organized. If the crayon and marker collage on the front which looks like it is photographed on a third grader's desk isn't enough indication, The Legend of Harry Hamster (Concept album) is a whimsical adventure in the lands of comfy synth. Though simple and childlike, the world of Harry Hamster is spent in astute performance which sounds like a nickelodeon in some carnival of the bizarre. Though comfy synth can become the center of reductive jokes, I like to think of this music as what is playing in the heads of creators who have the world's biggest imagination.
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Dino synth and prehistoric synth are tags on Bandcamp with varying degrees of seriousness. If people are looking for fantasy synth specifically about dinosaurs, then I can't not begrudge the enthusiasm. The Prehistoric Valley by Edwyn Brown is a concept about the full day in the life of dinosaurs in some mythical land of prehistoric wilderness. Though the creator has done work for tabletop RPGs and even has synth soundtracks based around their fantasy world, the prehistoric Valley is done for nothing other than the love of dinosaurs.
The tracklist is set up to begin at morning and conclude at night, making this a full fledged dino concept album. Though everything sounds whimsical and joking, The Prehistoric Valley possessed some delightful progressive electronics for any fans of Tangerine Dream or other cosmic travelers.
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Are the squares gone? Are we at the bottom of the digest article? Great. Time for some party music. Her Wonderworld Reversal Orchestra is a combination of dungeon synth (maybe) and epic collage (most certainly) with the latter being something you find after you travel far into the woods of experimental electronics. The album is a story or soundtrack most certainly not connected to anything on this plane of existence.
Her Wonderworld Reversal Orchestra is the work of a U.S.-based creator who also does experimental music with a terminally online aesthetic. Hast Thou Brought Enough Fairies? Need More? OK! Is more fantasy based on the idea of fairies, which makes sense, since playful pixies would probably sound enchanting but also hellishly fragmented. This might not be for everyone and may only be for a few, but those few are going to be really into it.
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