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| Kapmes Records, 2019 |
What’s so lovely about Dungeon Synth from the Netherlands, is how it covers quite a thematic region. You have your edgy, basement-dwelling, blackened thematics, you have forefather-honoring dreamscapes, there are playful releases about curious turtles and - of course - there’s Vetus Supulcrum, delivering its unique combination of serenity and bombast.
Vetus Supulcrum has been around since February 2019 and steadily released quality material in a short timeframe. Some of you might know its creator, M. de Jong, through his other works. Gnaw Their Tongues has had a kvlt-following for years now and - my personal favorite - Seirom has attracted a much broader audience with its soothing ambient/drone-like releases. It feels good to have such a seasoned musician enter the scene - and it suffices to say that From The Land Of Shadows delivers the quality you might expect.
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| M. de Jong |
If there’s one word for this record, it would be rich. Not only because of its diversity, but mainly because of its sonic spectrum. Every track has a very, very dense production in which multiple layers of sound expose themselves to the listener. Even during those moments in which the bombast has taken a backseat, we are still left with very full-produced synths that fill up the entire room. And yes, one really has to applaud the depth of Vetus Supulcrum’s drums, for they feel as if they’re recorded in the Mines of Moria themselves.
Compositionally we’re treated to a broad display of instruments, voices, and atmospheres, making the record a rather adventurous one. Instead of confronting us with some monotonous navel-gazing, Vetus Supulcrum takes the listener by the hand to show what this Land Of Shadows is precisely made of. And let’s be honest. It’s wonderful.
TL;DR: Highly recommended.
A rich cinematographic experience to explore at one's own risk.
Vetus Supulcrum on Bandcamp | Vetus Spulcrum on Facebook
