It is easy to forget that the Dungeontroll project, one of the many ventures from Wyrm from Serpent’s Sword, was disbanded in 2021. For three years it lay dormant until its return in 2024 with three releases through the aforementioned label but also Weregnome Records. Legends from the Ruins of Kaldor continues the somber medieval melodies set in a world created by the author and used as the setting for all of the Dungeontroll material. In fact, each song indicates some sort of story or location which are told in instrumentals. This type of lore beneath the music is something which has always fascinated me about this type of music as it exists as a vehicle for worldbuilding. With lengthy tracks of old school gloom. Though the music is sometimes befitting stark black and white album covers, Dungeontroll has always has the brightest covers which some how is befitting the ornate melancholy which inhabits this universe.
Atlantean Sword is a project from the UK with one very popular debut, π½βπβπβπβπβπβπβπβπβπβπ in 2023. Ill be using the artist’s font used on Bandcamp. π¬βπβπ ππ π―βπβπβπ is the followup released thorough both Dungeons Deep and Fogged Entity and continues the absolute escapism into sword and sorcery DS (not an actual genre, don’t get excited). With aesthetics pulled from Robert E Howard and general heroic fantasy material, π¬βπβπ ππ π―βπβπβπ is a balanced dream of crashing overtures and serenades which feel like old school dungeon synth just with a cinematic presentation. Much like the cover art by Brendan Elliot (also seen on releases by Meadow Grove and Fen Walker), the experience with Atlantean Sword is pure joy through fantasy and radiates warmth despite the Hyborian cold.
Filed under “random things posted to the DS Subreddit which got stupidly popular but everyone is kinda into it and it slaps.” Part of the reason which I love and continue to love dungeon synth so much is the pure glee and joy one has when making something and then sharing it with others. Even if KAME and this Dragonball themed comfy synth album wasn’t a hit, the creator probably would have been just as happy since it was already made. True Namekian Synth‘s popularity comes not from the themes rather the desire to venerate something that brings them happiness to share with others. There is an authenticity which is infectious among listeners which probably lies at the nexus of bedroom synth. Something as off beat as this can be nothing short of brilliant and wholesome.
In 2019, Italian project Sidereal Fortress released Racconti Del Focolare which consisted of gentle dungeon synth which at the time was novel given dungeon synth was still worshiping the old school revival aesthetic. Sidereal Fortress existed from 2018 to 2020 with 2024 seeing the return with a demo pulled from 2020. I sentieri della tradizione (DEMO MMXX) is a short release of material recorded perhaps right before the project disbanded. Though the artist could be considered a pioneer of comfy synth, predating names such as Hole Dweller and Grandma’s cottage, I sentieri della tradizione (DEMO MMXX) showcases a more complex side exploring themes of ancient civilizations and Etruscan magic. Sidereal Fortress has always been intriguing and for the longest time they were in the category of “DS most people have forgotten.” I am aware they are restarting the project to perhaps wander back now clutching ancient artifacts full of magic.
Meadowtrek Woods: Life and Ecology was created under creative duress. The album was apart of a “dungeon rush” challenge where the participants had limited time, resources, and themes to create a record. The result from the parameters of “14 days, 8 songs (2d4 + 1), 15-35 minute album length (3d20), 6 instruments/patches + field recordings, have a Forest Synth aesthetic” is the album you are listening to. This sort of absurd creation challenge is something which is amazing given the product of the work. It is not hard to see why Fidah, the fae like tape label, picked up this record for a tape release as it is not just remarkable in its spontaneity but as a
I feel the phrases “minimalist forest ambient,” and “recorded spontaneously using Casio SA-11 with Aux Input” combined with a handmade cover that looks like it was recopied 20 times is what intentionally drew me to this record. The fact it is also from Indonesia (apparently) which is a place which has fewer DS projects compares to the UK and Europe has only deepened my intrigue. Forest Hymn to Eternity is the debut project for a creator who has been doing raw dungeon synth for a few years. Astral Forest (Demo I) feels like it is dedicated to the sound of Windkey Records, Verdant Wisdom, Sunken Grove, and other dreamhaze projects (not a genre but I want it to be one). This is certainly an aesthetic which is fascinating to me and I know other sleepy eyes fans who would also be interested.
A few things I can expect from Heimat Der Katastrophe, an Italian synth label with intimidating taste, are their tapes being sold out and their artists being ones I never have heard before. Oh also those artists and their tapes being wonderful a true delight when I listen. STONE FLOWER is all of these things with their release which is pitched as a chill out fantasy adventure featuring a central knight in mysterious land character. Death is a Ghost is dungeon synth but if you can imagine dungeon synth being part of the Pure Moods soundtrack or the background music for Stardew Valley. I know this sounds like a joke but there are honest to goodness moments where I had to check back to make sure it was the same album. Absolutely riveting music from both the artist and also the label.
I wanted to take this time to mention my love for the Finish artist Meadow Grove as this project has seemed to always be releasing material since 2021. I even think I have the original tape of The Triumph of Lord Baerston released through Voices of the Ainur. Meadow Grove has continued to work and release stuff often surprising me whenever I see the name pop up once again. Each release arrives and without fail continues to develop a world me as the sounds evolve. Kaellemoore is the latest album in an ongoing saga set in a fictional land called Rh’nosia, a place where most of Meadow Groves albums are based. Through a mix of somber medieval melodies and…starship sounding synth leads, Meadow Grove has positioned themselves as “tunes vibrant with fantasy and tales of adventure.” I cant think of any better phrase to describe and album which feels like a full length adventure film full of a spectrum of emotions and plots.
Glaring Spires is a French based artist whose Bandcamp seemed made up of mostly experiments in sound. The Serenity of Death, despite the name, is a charming and regal delve which sounds like a slow plodding of a carriage up to a castle. Though only 21 minutes long this singular track represents the first release in 2024 and even though it feels like something that was just put out, the craftsmanship is remarkable with the music both somber and dreamlike through its entire running time. I originally came upon this page since another record was posted but then removed since I think it was a mistake. I still enjoyed the sound so I found another 2024 release and am just going to assume I was the only one on the internet who saw the other album.
Absolute absurdity. I knew when I started to review food synth I wouldn’t stop. Carnival Food Truck is a split (?) between Hot Dog Cart and Burgy Beats. Together they team up to music that is well avant electronics disguised like shitposts. I have seen a lifetime worth of low effort projects and i can testify to this court that despite their best efforts, Hot Dog Cart and Burgy Beats as decent projects who just want to have fun and eat popcorn while riding Ferris Wheels. This isn’t for everyone and in fact i dont think it is for anyone but here I am eating a fuck ton of cotton candy, possibly on LSD, and about to go into the funhouse.