The Dungeon In Deep Space has been silent for a while, but that doesn’t mean that the sounds of Dungeon Synth and Dark Ambient have gone unheard. This year has brought plenty of new recordings that keep me mentally fueled and wanting more. One of the most consistent (and one of my favorite) labels is Mushroom Keep Records out of Berlin, Germany. The label is home to projects such as Tales Under The Oak, Cave Spellcaster, GRADOBOR, and Skeleton Mage. As for Skeleton Mage, an esoteric blend of haunting anthems with Medieval undertones barely scratch the surface of the versatility of the releases from this project. The latest album, ‘Dunes Of Tarnoth’ presents six tracks of provocative canticles that layer dark and gloomy soundscapes with a classical soundtrack vibe that will easily resonate with the Dungeon Synth community as well as fans of unsettling Dark Ambient music. Although Skeleton Mage released this on its own label (link below), Mushroom Keep Records (also link below) is handling the physical release in cassette format, along with the ‘An 8-Bit Fantasy Adventure’ cassette in a special double album offering.
Eloquent album opener, “Winds Of Coldune” wastes no time in building a soundtrack-worthy tune that blends polished instrumentation with a meditative vibe, setting a somber mood that drives the direction for the rest of the album. “Lament Of The Ruined” develops from gloomy modulations into a full-on dark incantation of distressed sounds. An eerie Ambient tone carries this track into an unknown dimension of dreadful encounters. “Accursed Stone Vaults” manifests into a retrospective composition that is reminiscent of vintage synth sounds but on a grander scale. Halfway through the song, ghostly vocalizations and the sound of dragging chains thwart this track into a bleak vision of confinement and consternation. “Verdant Sanctuary” has the massive sound of Gregorian-like chants that are sonically filling a hall of elders right before a necessary assemblage of luminaries. The sounds grow into a compelling hymn of tempered instruments before yielding to a violin & cello duo that is in full concerto mode. “Beneath Strange Stars” is a tonal, Dark Ambient piece that fuses with a murky Dungeon Synth vibe suggesting an impending chaos that will besiege everything and everyone in its path of destruction. The final track on the album is “The Endless March”, a short composition of graceful textures that unfolds into an austere tune that signals a particular quietus explored through the duration of this album.
Skeleton Mage continues to expand their discography with a variety of recordings that traverse many musical paths. Whereas ‘Midwinter Tales’ showcase a lighthearted adventure, and ‘Songs Of Fenebra’ present a collection of whimsical, celebratory tunes, ‘Dunes Of Tarnoth’ is a journey toward darkness and trepidation that does not sway beyond its harrowing passage. I’d say this is easily my favorite Skeleton Mage album to date and it continues to draw me in with each listen. I highly recommend this if you’re a fan of bleak and grievous Dungeon Synth. So, head to the links below and show your support for Skeleton Mage and Mushroom Keep Records.
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Link:
https://skeletonmage.bandcamp.com/album/dunes-of-tarnoth
Cassette Release:
https://mushroomkeeprecords.bandcamp.com/album/dunes-of-tarnoth-an-8-bit-fantasy-adventure
