Top 10 Dungeon Synth Releases of 2019

2019 Has been a very fruitful year for Dungeon Synth. There’s been a huge amount of new projects, as well as the continuation of older torch wielders. While I have been floored by so many records this year, these 10 releases - in no particular order - made the biggest impression on me.

I would sincerely like to thank the artists, their labels and all those who’ve supported the genre throughout our past journey around the sun. Here’s to another year, another dungeon, and the synth-driven relief of time and space!

Burgen - Miserere
Gondolin Records

There is a sadness in Miserere that really comes to life thanks to its beautiful, gritty production, hypnotizing repetitiveness, and the use of low, murmuring vocals. While comforting it simultaneously evokes the urge to comfort. A blessing, a curse; a magnificent piece of Dungeon Synth.

Earthencloak - Pipe Smoke and Faery Magick
Self-released

I’ve already written about the new Earthencloack over here, but can’t stress its importance enough. This is the prototypical, heart-warming, gnome-dominant Dungeon Synth record. If you want to feel jolly and comfortable, but with just a pinch of melancholy, you need to inhale the Pipe Smoke and embrace the Faery Magick.

Fief - V
Out of Season

Dropping at the very end of this year is Fief's fifth endeavor. Harking back to the mildly energetic and uplifting atmospheres of II and III, V stands as another catchy grandstand from this ever-giving mammoth.

Moth Tower - Clavitasian Threshold
Gondolin Records

Following up on the monumental Sharpen Thy Knife, Curse The Sky is not an easy task but Moth Tower managed to pull it off. By losing some of its charmingly naive character, Clavitasian Threshold delivers a more focussed and mature narrative that grabs you from the beginning till the very end.

Nortfalke - Atmosfeer
Heidens Hart

“Dungeon Synth for the true wanderer.” If there’s one thing we need more of, it’s a proper infusion of Berlin School trance-inducing tradition into our dungeons. Atmosfeer is not just a good record; it's a milestone. I would advise this record to both the newcomers and the old garde of the Dungeon Synth genre without even blinking an eye.

Neverlur/Sequestered Keep - Under Nordljosets Straalar / Quests in the North
Tour de Garde / Out of Season

Being a big fan of both projects, I was delighted to find out they were doing a split this year. Both sides further develop their already established qualities but never feel like completely separate entities; keeping both their own character and the cohesive spirit of this split intact.

Old Sorcery - Strange and Eternal
Garavluth Records

Strange and Eternal was my first big surprise of 2019. There’s no filler content on this album, whatsoever. Throughout its entirety, Old Sorcery conjures what might be one of my favorite Dungeon Synth experiences so far. A perfect combination of the old and the new; and a bright, bright promise for what's still to come.

Silent Cabin - Gently Veiled
So Called Hell

Gently Veiled is one of the most relaxing records I’ve come across this year. Its gentle and calming character makes it easy to drift away in, while it simultaneously provides the right amount of development to keep the listener involved. Combine this with a very fitting production and you've found yourself a gem that deserves to be heard for many years to come.

Ulk - I + II
Gondolin Records

Combining Ulk’s first two EP’s was a stellar move by Gondolin Records. They perfectly complement each other, and the first one seemingly transitions into the second; effortlessly continuing Ulk’s original blend of Dungeon- and Forest Synth. Slow and intriguing, Ulk unleashes a powerful, ongoing energy that is laden with atmosphere and nostalgia.

Utred - Gothic
Citadel Of Sound

Utred's best effort till this date became an incredibly dynamic record that, not unlike Gothic architecture, reaches for the skies. You can read our interview with Utred over here but even better would be to enter Gothic's magical and dynamic realms.

Nortfalke - Troch Dieze Omfaundere

Lafawijn Records, 2019

Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can.

I've been wanting to write about Nortfalke since the release of the excellent Atmosfeer, back in January. Two weeks ago, this Dutch wanderer surprised us with a very limited 7" named Troch Dieze Omfaundere, which - according to the internet - loosely translates to 'By this Embrace'. I figured this would be the one to truly dive into - and discover what treasures could be found.

Before I start rambling about the music, I'd like to address that Nortfalke seems to prize the use of old, analog synthesizers when it comes to the sculpting of his music. One could argue that the combination of MIDI and modern VST's can easily mimic the over-glorified sounds of older hardware, but I think that going down that road isn't doing justice to this approach, at all.
I like to imagine that the use of hardware - and its limitations - creates a strong bond between the artist and the material. One that forces the musician to make radical choices, take his losses and cherish his victories. One that's more adventurous, since the further the music develops, the more it dictates - and there's no way to go, but to go forward, deeper into its core.

Nortfalke

Nortfalke makes it rather easy to assume that what's stated above is true. His music is incredibly adventurous, surrounded with mystique and dangerously easy to succumb to. It feels lived in. Molded. Rather than being a quick escapism for the artist, it feels like something that has ripened and now is ready to be shared with those who have a taste for it.

Troch Dieze Omfaundere’s A-side at first feels like a continuation of his previous efforts. Wildly atmospheric, minimal and deep. It’s slightly less melodic than most of the material that you would find on Atmosfeer, but instead delivers a strong sense of introspection. A sense of flight and solitude.

Excerpt from 'Verscholen Dimensies'.

Where the A-side shines because of its minimal and brooding atmosphere, the B-side shines because of the complete opposite. Both Tacht Nooi De Baalch and Leechte embrace a more melodic approach that forces us to listen and simultaneously drag us through airy and rich landscapes. The use of deep and repetitive percussion makes both tracks feel alive and welcoming. No longer are we floating high above nearly visible grounds; we are somewhere - and this somewhere tries to speak to us. The adding of shouting vocals to Leechte only extends this feeling of being welcomed in an unfamiliar surrounding.

When Leechte ends, the 7” ends. My needle returns to his familiar resting place, yet I feel restless. Restless and curious towards future stories by this wonderous artist.

TL;DR: Highly recommended.
Troch Dieze Omfaundere is a short adventure when it comes to length, but gives a lot of material and diversity to truly dig into.
Nortfalke on Bandcamp | Nortfalke on Facebook