Vetraheimr - The Age of Tragedy

Gondolin Records, 2019

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When I see dramatic, contorted figures carrying standards, torches and weapons, I think of chaos. I think of anger. I think of men’s fragility and its struggle to refrain from physical violence. But, honestly, I do not think of Vetraheimr’s The Age of Tragedy.

Don’t let the cover art fool you; The Age of Tragedy is not a gruesome or violent record. Quite the contrary. Throughout 30 minutes of playtime, Vertraheimr paints a rather delicate and complex landscape. One that doesn’t shy away from seamlessly transitioning gentle piano melodies to moody, foreboding synths. Yes, it gets dark - and yes, it gets sinister, but somewhere in its carefully crafted, darker melodies always lies a glimmer of hope. Like a good fairytale, Vetraheimr manages to keep its listeners on their toes.

The Age of Tragedy is victorious when it comes to portraying a multitude of atmospheres, ranging from the incredibly uplifting The Village and hopeful Voyager of the Seas, to the eerie Lost in the Haunted Woods and borderline invasive Troll Bandits. It’s very rare to encounter a Dungeon Synth record that allows you to drift off and pay attention simultaniously, but it's here. Bravo.

TL;DR: A march to victory.
If you’re unsure what type of atmosphere you’re looking for, go for The Age of Tragedy, for it will drag you through nearly all of them.

Vetraheimr on Bandcamp | Gondolin Records on Bandcamp

Moth Tower - Sharpen Thy Knife, Curse The Sky

Gondolin Records, 2018

A bear, who long had danced for bread,
One morning from his keeper fled;
Back to his native woods retreated,
And, by his brother brutes, was kindly greeted.

I’ve been overwhelmed by Sharpen Thy Knife, Curse The Sky for quite some time. Not particularly because of how good it is - and it is good - but mainly because of its dynamic songwriting and ambiguous character. Throughout 45 minutes it ranges from passages that remind me of old-school RPG soundtracks, the semi-uplifting vibes of Forest Synth and - of course - the moody characteristics we all know and love from early Dark Dungeon Music.

It’s this diversity that makes Moth Tower’s first musical effort such an enduring one. Its shifts of tone surprise, but never catch you off-guard, as all transitions flow rather naturally. In order to describe the atmosphere it evokes, we could draw a parallel from the artwork that is portrayed on the inside of the J-card. A bear, two foxes, and a squirrel, dance on the edge of a forest. The entire scene feels both familiar and unnatural. At first glance one could interpret it as a feastful activity, but the longer I stare at it, the more foreboding it seems to get. It reminds me of some of my favorite works by William Holbrook Beard, who’s satirical paintings aim to give insight into man’s endeavors, using a broad variety of animals in man-like activities.

On the right: William Holbrook Beard's 'The Bear Dance'

The same quirkiness that is to be found in the artwork also embodies Sharpen Thy Knife, Curse The Sky’s musical spectrum. Nowhere does it really comfort you, contrasting many contemporary Dungeon Synth releases. Instead, it spreads a joyful, yet threatening atmosphere. One that freezes the listener on the spot. Something is wrong. We feel unsafe. But we’ll be damned if it’s not fascinating.

TL;DR: A modern classic.
A musical translation of old folkloric fairy tales. Dangerous, gloomy, and suspiciously catchy.
Moth Tower on Bandcamp | Gondolin Records on Facebook