The Lonely Bell have been consistently releasing some of the most ethereal ambient music for the past few years. Marked by minimalistic and emotional characteristics, each contribution offers a unique setting that is immediately accessible and relatable. That being said, several recent releases continue to provide the essence of the aforementioned but also venture out into new realms of modern apropos subject matters. Both ‘Found Footage’ and ‘Time Lost’ offer a mixture of haunting settings and eerie modulations that are otherworldly yet serene. With these albums, be prepared to be whisked away to a dark world with hypnotizing effects.
Found Footage (Oct 2025)
‘Found Footage’ consists of a single, thirty five minute track that pays homage to the found footage film genre. Expressing and sharing the same sentiments discovered through the cameras eye, this track plays out in an adventurous way through wandering drones, subtle environmental noises and the occasional field recording that parallels the subject matter at hand. This songs plays to an innate vision of unscripted exploration, improvisational motive and a quest for understanding. Hints of melodic keys in the background are equivalent to the wonders of an unknown cessation and the endeavor to reach that plateau. The soothing soundscapes produce a meditative space for recollection and the necessary capacity for a true cleansing of the mind. As the song progresses toward its ending, the music becomes more emphatic as a certain closure draws near. This is such a peaceful recording that emphasizes the need for abeyance through the succession of realistic immersion of events as discovered by others.
‘Time Lost’ is an ambient adventure of the soul that is a must listen. Right from the opening note of “One Wish”, an ethereal vibe sets the tone for another emotional offering – something we can always expect from The Lonely Bell. Delicate drones will entrance the listener into an abrogating energy that is constructed in a way that will galvanize the psyche into complete chaos or delicate peace. Each track represents a sacred element of recollection that only the listener can construct into its own unique understanding. Tracks like, “Elsewhere” and “Dance Of Dead Leaves” lead with melodic impressions that produce a consoling feeling of euphoria. However, tracks like “The Old Bridge” sways to the opposite end of the spectrum with dark, brooding atmospherics that will alienate all positive perspectives. The title track, “Time Lost” is a true representation of the overall objective of achieving sentimental triumph. Looping textures and enlightened drones cast a warm light on a descending darkness, expanding upon an open space for diverse and introspective logic. At the end of the album, one will achieve a decisive cleansing of one’s inner self, leaving an impression of remarkable ambition.
The Lonely Bell continue to release absorbing albums that create a vast void of either liminal atmospheres or turbulent compunction. ‘Found Footage’ and ‘Time Lost’ are just two amazing examples of this, while extending an audial consistence of deep ambience and palpable soundscapes. I highly recommend these albums to those that dwell in self recollection or need emotional absolution. Check out these albums, as well as The Lonely Bell’s back catalog and be prepared for immeasurable contentment.
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I’ve been following Desolation Plains for several years now and it’s safe to say that with each album release there is an implicit layer of musical growth as well as an expanded improvement with regards to musical composition. On the latest album, ‘Celestial Sorcery’, there is a profound range of audial eloquence that I’ve not heard in a long time. These tracks flow seamlessly as if a spacial void was vastly penetrated by composite modulations destined for distant stars. This album as a whole is like one massive meditative simulation that draws the listener in without hesitation and then proceeds on a spectral trip down a medieval – yet futuristic – passage of infinite dreams and illustrious oblations. Without a single debacle across these eight tracks, Desolation Plain presents thirty two minutes of fascinating canticles that gratifying and completely mesmerizing.
Dreamy album opener, “Altar Of Eltanin (Prelude)” gets things going with an enthralling sequence of lush keys and dark ambient hums. A soft cadence kicks in and layers of sonic synths collaborate in victorious fashion. “Astral Draconic Worship” begins with somber modulations that could easily place the listener in a hypnotic state. Radiant tones and beats follow almost immediately, creating an enchanted space for Medieval doings. Synth leads dominate the track and imply a battle-ready environment and a quest for ascendancy. The excitement continues as “Forgotten Shards of Thuban” spews forth a retrospective groove that could have easily been a part of the Stranger Things musical universe. Synth leads sound heavily reverberated, producing a thick atmosphere of electronic greatness. Next up is the powerful, “Rising Tides Of Eternity”. This track rages with melody and ethereal vibes that create a calming ambience that is a joy to soak in and listen to. Clean synth leads merge seamlessly with the backing sounds generating a smooth montage of tones that is instantly enjoyable. “Neon Druids Of Gamma Draconis” is a whimsical piece that introduces capricious loops, elongated cords, and rhythmic percussion patterns that come together harmoniously! Some of the reverberated tones are stringent and truly represent the emotional context of Medieval times. “Moonstone Dagger Rituals” reminds me of Cosmic Terror-era Varkana and that’s not a bad thing. As a matter of fact, that’s one of my favorite Dungeon Synth albums of all time. The lush key tones, echoing keys and sonic soundscapes complete this amazing track. This is probably my favorite track on the album and sort of summarizes the whole musical concept of the entire outing. “Creatures Of Moonlight” has a very nostalgic tone of late 90’s, early 2000’s synth music. The pensive instrumentation is very refined in style and everything mixes extremely well through the song. The final track is the eerily somber, “Star Magic Ascension”. There is a strong melancholic vibe that creates a pleasant context for this musical journey finale. The backing percussive elements are different but mesh well with the overall atmosphere of the track. This is a fitting way to end this immersive experience full of meandering electronic transmissions and vast soundscapes.
Desolation Plains is one of those projects that gets better and better with each release. With already a strong discography of six releases, the sky is the limit for this incredible act. From the songwriting and instrumentation to the excellent production effort, ‘Celestial Sorcery’ is already a top contender for my “Best of 2026” list. I know there is still a lot of time left in this year but I continually come back to this album on a regular basis. I highly recommend this if you’ve not already checked it out. Definitely check out the rest of the discography as well.
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When it comes to Dark Ambient music, long form tracks (and albums) almost immediately grab my attention. There is something about tracks with epic lengths that pique my interest as they allow for meditative expansion, curiosity arousal, and the ultimate setting for imaginative story telling. One artist that is dependable in that area is BlackWeald from Hungary. Extensive song lengths are a normal endeavor for this project, as well as delivering massive albums. ‘666 Minutes In Hell’ from 2021 clocks in at over 11 hours and ‘The Fermi Exhibit’ is over 5 hours long. If these don’t serve as a audial storyboard platform for your senses, I’m not sure what will. In addition to that, the artist Old Crypt (also from Hungary) has over 20 releases – mostly consisting of single tracks that are around (or over) the 1 hour mark. When the two projects are combined, the result is the massive ‘Ahtola’ album – 3 tracks with over 3 hours of imposing drones that will surely captivate the senses. In Finnish mythology, Ahtola is an underwater sea castle and home of Ahti, the god of the sea. Musically, these tracks serve as a soundtrack for an allegorical voyage of discovery of the unknown and the dreadful encounters along the way. A voyage to expose this apocryphal location for the sake of possible existence. Played at full length, without breaks, will submerge the listener into this passage that will ultimately prove there will never be another contingent expedition of this nature ever again.
At just under one hour and fifteen minutes, lead off track “Ahtola”, is a mammoth of an album opener. Commencing with a vaporous drone that complements hollow sounding synths, as if they were recorded in a distant vessel that is slowly disappearing in the darkness of thick fog, these sounds emit a particular radiance that is certainly fitting for the theme of this album. At about five minutes in, grim effects begin to take shape, promoting a dreadful presence of something supernatural. As the search for Ahtola continues, the minimalistic vibe of this track continues to expand slowly and effectively, like an impenetrable darkness full of looming shadows. Pulsating percussive elements begin to form, like a welcoming committee from an ancient, uncivilized tribe. At just over the sixteen minute mark, a thunderous modulated drone all but drowns out the previous audial dialogue. As we approach the halfway point, the glow of ominous drones and effects completely overpower all mental faculties and continue to immerse the listener into an unexplored world of aquatic dreariness. As we continue on to the final minutes, it’s clear that this track has successfully laid out the scope and mission of the remainder of the album and their is no escaping the overall sinister tone of the subject matter. “Ahtola, Sunken Ruins” is an eighty one minute voyage into the prodigious world of maritime obscurity. Heavily reverberated tones – akin to space ambient tidings – emit a feeling of pure relaxation, but with a sense of harrowing dread lurking close by. The sounds of distant thunder adds a sense of foreboding naturism and space water droplets offset that with an ataractic sensation of mild unrest. Throughout this long player, menacing drones rotate through various octaves to complement the assorted elements that coincide with fantastical tale that radiates through this entire album. Additionally, various beastly noises declare a lurking presence that is downright evil. Even though this track has an enormous time span, the introspective experience that is validated throughout is well worth it. Even though the final track, “Ahtola, Desolate Sanctum” is the shortest song on the album, it still clocks in at a hefty forty six minutes. As if this is the grand finale of the Ahtola expedition, aggressive tones begin almost immediately and elude to an imminent danger that can only be expressed with bleak audial vision. As this song weaves through elements of obscure synth pads and assorted soundscape, the feeling of apprehensive emotions take shape and this dark realm is taken to a whole new level of apocalyptic dread. As we approach the end of this huge, phonic undertaking, a distinct closure is presented during the albums final minutes. Cogent drones are met with flowing accuracy and then are ultimately matched with an unexpected guitar riff, depicting a haunting conclusion to this immense sea-worthy adventure.
The best aspects of BlackWeald and Old Crypt collide on this colossal Dark Ambient offering that will definitely appeal to listeners of minimalistic, epic-sized ambient music. It’s extremely easy to get lost in these three tracks and the value of the listening experience is well worth it. ‘Ahtola’ is a mythical story worth telling and this droning musical format is optimal for its portrayal. Both BlackWeald and Old Crypt are artists worth checking out and the quality of their discographies are excessively satisfying. Be sure to add ‘Ahtola’ to your list of albums to check out and support these projects at the links below.
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The amount of releases put out by Altrusian Grace Media is incessant. From full audio books covering a myriad of subjects and esoteric music collections to ominous dark ambient recordings from the distinguished project, Psyclopean, the assortment of output is sure to grab anyone and everyone’s attention. In addition to all that, patrons are graced with a number of exclusive releases for those that join the Starry Wisdom Cult. One of the latest audial offerings is, ‘Into A New Dark Age’ by Psyclopean, a dismal single track that spans almost thirty minutes, and presents a nightmarish spectacle of retro synth impressions with Berlin School sequences and foreboding drones.
Opening with a cold, dark drone sound that slowly fades in, presenting an anxious catapult into unknown sounds and mythical panorama. Layers of Berlin School progression and soothing synth chops begin to play with ethereal results, drawing the listener into an extended realm of endless audial possibilities. As if playing on a loop, this section has a hypnotizing effect and then slowly fades out to a tranquilizing drone. At around the six minute mark, an eerie spoken word bit is summoned, followed by a harmonized chant passage. This is soon accompanied by a thumping bass effect and continues on for a few minutes, emitting a grandiose and ritualistic effect. Soon after, a retrospective acoustic guitar melody begins to play a smooth riff and is backed by a synth lead that takes us back to a 70’s progressive rock synth tone. This segment presents a heavily reverberated soundscape that is sonically monumental. At around thirteen minutes in, heavy industrial effects emanate a dystopian theme of chaos and darkness. Hollowed drones and elongated synths take over and allow for an echoed synth lead to pervade through. This slowly crevasses into a more somber piece but with a melodic synth tone of mythical proportions. At just under the nineteen minute mark, space ambient drones become the dominant texture with immense, planetary elements. The last five minutes of the track returns to a retrospective synth sounds, removing the sense of claustrophobic sensations and abrupt panic. Instead, alleviating synth patterns provides an elegant yet caliginous desire. Haunting chants and spoken word bits return to close out the track as if concluding a reverent journey through space, time and harrowing mythos.
‘Into A New Dark Age’ is the 22nd official release from Psyclopean and the audial luster still shines through with nostalgic ambient precision while exuding modern soundscape elements that submits the listener into ravishing sonic realms. Having one epic-length track – especially in the ambient genre – is the perfect environment for the listener to escape reality and embed themselves into the track and experience the music as intended. Just in case the music doesn’t fully satisfy that reality withdrawal, check out the full length video below and experience the visual representation of this magnum opus. Psyclopean remains consistent with delivering immersive electronic music and ‘Into A New Dark Age’ just may be one of the projects best releases yet. Highly recommended for fans of space ambient and ritualistic drones.
Psyclopean – Into A New Dark Age
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After a lengthy hiatus, I’m finally back in the Dungeon (in Deep Space, of course) and ready to provide my analysis and opinion on the great genres of Dungeon Synth, Dark Ambient and anything in between. For my first post-hiatus offering, I’d like to spotlight the ‘Shrouded’ trilogy by Everyday Dust. Focusing on minimalistic soundscapes and audial designs that are reminiscent of retro adventures and blissful morning decadence, Everyday Dust transcends the typical Dark Ambient outing with a fresh take on sound manipulations, solid use of loops and a combination of musical ideas that extends beyond a single genre. Below, I will summarize my thoughts of each album and hope that you’ll check them out as well.
Shrouded I (2023)
The 2023 release that began this amazing trilogy, set the tone right away with retrospective variations and haunting melodies that cultivate a rich tonal texture of relaxing soundscapes. “Broken Wings” is a pleasant album opener that provides a virtual backdrop of an avant-garde soundtrack for a utopian, yet visionary audial design. Continuing with “Evensong”, Everyday Dust sways to a dissonant realm of exotic rhythms and reverberated loops. This creates a blissful adventure through lethargic dreams and peaceful endeavors. Skipping over to “Distant Lanterns”, we find a more spacial approach with looming drones and cosmic intonations. The final track, “Solus” is a jovial offering that encapsulates the overall vibe of the album. Definitely ending on a high note, ‘Shrouded’ sets the stage for two follow-up albums that do not disappoint.
‘Shrouded II’ begins with the nostalgic, “Who Built The Chimes?”. Audial hisses and looping cracks present a lo-fi setting for the deluge of sounds that are contained within. “Horns Sound As The Haar Surrounds” continues with the grungy production sounds but with more of a minimalist radiance. Various sounds and cryptic noises radiate throughout this crack, producing an eerie offering that easily captivates the listener. “The Jackalope Whisperer” is the darkest track on the album with its bleak atmospherics and demented sound bites. At just under 15 minutes in length, this canticle plays on the psyche with a variety of emotional changes and hypnotizing, yet protracted modulations. The final track, “Thorns”, delivers a nefarious experience with malevolent tones, ominous atmosphere and despondent pitch changes. Although it continues the same sentiments as the first album, it’s delivered with a darker, deeper prospective.
In 2025, Everyday Dust delivered the final installment of the harrowing trilogy with ‘Shrouded III’. Immediately commencing with the dystopian thriller, “Make No Bones”, it explores the outer realms of space ambience with planetary clamor and peaceful drones. “Sentinel” follows with the sounds of tape hisses in the background with heavily reverberated synths, producing a striated track full of turbulent intentions. “Heresy” is another dismal offering with its glooming, apocalyptic resonance that mimics what one may hear during a grueling nightmare. With the time span of just over 12 minutes, this effort creates an uneasy adventure that cannot be avoided. The final track on the album (and of the trilogy), is the maniacal, “Smokescreen”. As with the case with any finale, incandescent modulations pulsate with dreadful intensional, producing an all-encompassing array of looping timber with somber soundscapes that conclude this obscure yet magnificent trilogy of recordings.
Spanning three years, the ‘Shrouded’ trilogy, presents a fantastic audial adventure that is both retrospective and modern. As with the old “create-your-own-adventure” books of decades past, these albums allow the listener to dwell deep into their own minds to construct a voyage that can be both unique and audacious. Everyday Dust have gone above and beyond with these recordings and have produced something very special that will definitely stand the test of time. Each of these albums deserve repeated listens and new elements are sure to be gained every time someone connects with these songs.
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When it comes to Dark Ambient music, the name Onasander should come up when discussing the modern chieftains of the genre. With a consistent amount of captivating releases as a stand-alone producer, as well as a consistent contributor to many other releases, this is an artist that must not go overlooked (or unheard). With a new magnificent album (‘Dawn Metrics’) just released yesterday on the mighty Winter-Light label, Onasander is out to prove that his unique brand of dark, audial visions are as good as they come. I recently had the opportunity to interview the mastermind behind this great project and learn what the driving force behind his reign of terror is. Hope you enjoy this as much as I did putting it all together!
1. Thanks for taking some time out of your schedule for this interview. You’ve been busy this year with some amazing releases. Let’s start with ‘Under Unknown Stars’ released on Dark Odyssey Records. How did that album come about?
The idea for “Under…” came from my passion for Alien movies, not just the original quadrilogy but also the prequels. I thought of creating a space horror story using the sound of Onasander. I’m quite satisfied with the result.
2. With the space theme of this album, were there certain techniques you relied on to create suck a dark, immersive atmosphere?
In my opinion, the use of synths like the ASM Hydrasynth and the Waldorf Iridium, in combination with various software, made all the difference.
3. How do you know when a track has been completed and it’s time to move on to the next one?
Usually, my work sessions are short. If a track works, I stop working on it and let it sit for a few days. Then I come back to listen to it.
4. Congrats on your collaboration release with Alphaxone, ‘Futuristic Dereliction’, out now on Cryo Chamber. How was this experience working with one of the (other) greats of the Dark Ambient genre?
Mehdi is a great musician, perhaps the greatest in space dark ambient currently around. You can learn so much from him, and every time you listen to one of his elaborations, you’re literally blown away.
5. This album has such a broad sound that covers a large realm of the soundscape spectrum. What was the focus of the music on this release?
A dystopian vision of the future that touched on different genres and different sonic contaminations (like cyberpunk, for example); I think it’s very common in more modern dark ambient.
6. Whose idea was it to incorporate the Berlin School sequences on the track, “Time Fracture”?
Honestly, it was Mehdi’s great idea. In that wonderful track, I contributed by giving depth with the drones in the background.
7. Another release from earlier this year was the collaborative powerhouse, ‘Animic Atmospheres’, featuring yourself, Ashtoreth and Gydja. How did this creation come about?
The idea for Animic Atmospheres came entirely from me as a big fan of theosophy and anthroposophy, especially the works of Rudolf Steiner. I then chose some musician friends who were very close to an “esoteric” sound and definitely of a very high level.
8. There are some really dark tones on this album, dare I say ritualistic even. What inspired the bleak, tonal passages throughout this recording?
Definitely the idea of the relationship between man and the cosmos, theorized by the father of anthroposophy. We are nothing but “a thought that is thought” by unknown cosmic entities…
9. Throughout your recording career, what role has sound improvisation play?
It has played a predominant role. And it still does. I don’t consider myself a musician but a lover of sounds that I use to express what I have inside.
10. Do you already have a good plan, or set of ideas ready to go before you begin recording each album?
Sometimes it can be a book you’ve read; other times, a movie. Suggestions can come from literature, philosophy, or cinema. Very rarely do they come from other listening experiences.
11. Are there any specific synths or sound processors that are essential to your sound?
Yes, I use several synths like the ASM Hydrasynth, the Waldorf Iridium, the Moog Subharmonicon, Korg Modwave and several SOMA instruments.
12. How do you balance darkness with musicality in your compositions?
For me it’s pretty simple, since my idea of sound is essentially based on dark atmospheres.
13. How does your background or personal experiences help shape your music?
Very little, I would say. My personal experiences are quite distant from my idea of music.
14. With each recording, is there a specific story you’re trying to tell with your music?
For some records, I would say yes, like for “Under Unknown Stars,” for example. For others, they are just philosophical concepts put to music (“Cosmic Extinction”).
15. Is there a particular artist that influenced your passion for Dark Ambient music?
There are so many artists that I love but if I had to choose just one, I would say without a doubt Collapsar.
16. What are some things you hope to achieve with future projects or albums?
I hope to improve the sound I have in mind more and more; that is, to give a sound to the darkest aspects of the cosmos.
17. How important is performing Dark Ambient music in a live setting? Is this something that is a priority for you?
I don’t find it that important but I would love to play live.
18. What can we expect to hear from Onasander in the years to come?
Currently in my mind there are two orientations: that of “Under Unknown Stars” and that of “Cosmic Extinction”. My future sound starts from these two albums that I adore.
19. I really appreciate you taking the time to answer a few questions for The Dungeon In Deep Space. Are there any final words for those that will be reading this publishing?
I want to thank The Dungeon In Deep Space (this name is beautiful!) for hosting me and all those who have supported and continue to support Onasander and the side projects. Thank you very much!
Over the past few years, Arbadax has become one of my favorite Dungeon Synth artist. With each release bringing an amazing venture down a dark realm filled with fantasy-based themes and intriguing musical intonations, Arbadax excels at releasing consistent music that is bound to connect the listener to a fascinating, Medieval world. I recently had an opportunity to talk to Arbadax about his wonderful discography of Dungeon Synth greatness, where the inspiration came from and the direction for future releases. Please enjoy this interview with the prodigious Arbadax!
1. Thank you very much for taking the time to answer a few questions about the Arbadax Dungeon Synth project. How did you first get introduced to dungeon synth as a genre?
Thank you and the friends at The Dungeon in Deep Space for the interest you’ve shown! For years, I was unaware of the existence of the genre itself, even though I knew about artists more closely tied to the metal scene, like Burzum, Mortiis, Summoning… The real discovery happened during the COVID lockdown, when I was stuck at home due to restrictions, spending time playing music, listening to music, and working on building my small home studio. The memories are already blurred by the passage of time, but the first DS record that struck me straight to the heart was Hole Dweller’s ‘Flies the Coop’. From there, a whole new world opened up for me to explore. At the same time, I also regretted not discovering this genre earlier, because who knows, maybe I would have started making this music much sooner… But perhaps the time wasn’t right yet.
2. Do you see Dungeon Synth as a subgenre of ambient, black metal, or something else?
More or less, we all know how it originated; its roots run deep in black metal, but after so many years, I think we need to give DS the proper dignity it deserves, as far as I’m concerned, it’s a genre in its own right. What I found when I approached this world was a mature and grown-up scene, still confined to the underground and the limbo of amateur musicians, but in my view, it’s absolutely right to define it as its own genre.
3. Who are some of your musical influences, both within and outside of Dungeon Synth?
I was born a metalhead, and I still am one. I’m currently a bassist in a band called Heavenfall, and I used to play in an epic metal band, Holy Martyr, so my main influences are the entire hard ‘n’ heavy world, mostly classic, hard rock, epic metal, thrash metal, and to a lesser extent, other metal genres as well. To complement that, I’d also mention classic rock from the last century. I’ve also always listened to instrumental compositions, especially soundtracks, classical music, and some of the most famous musicians who made electronic music popular, like Jarre, Vangelis, and I’d also like to mention the Italian Franco Battiato, who experimented with synths in the early 70s. Recently, with my interest in DS, I’ve also gotten into other electronic genres, like ambient or synthwave, for example. On my YouTube channel, I’ve published a few synthwave-oriented songs, which I usually do between albums to take a break from the DS atmosphere and reset my mind.
4. When it comes to thematic expression, Arbadax has released some amazing albums in the realm of Medieval fantasy. What role does fantasy, mythology, or history play in your music, if any?
Clearly, my love for fantasy is evident in my storytelling, which focuses on the character of ‘Arbadax.’ More generally, I’ve always been passionate about the fantastic in a broad sense, and also about the mysterious. I’m deeply fascinated by the world of the occult, even though this fascination is in constant conflict with my rational side. This attraction to the fantastic and the mysterious is a very human, primal component, but then there’s the adult me, an engineer no less, with years of scientific studies behind me, who says, ‘Hey, you know all of this is nonsense, right?’ This also ties into my passion for ancient and modern history, its mysteries, its conspiracies, its horrors… the epic and the mythology. It’s all connected. In the end, fantasy is nothing more than the story of humans living in a world truly shaped by their mythology, beliefs, and folklore. I’m fascinated by the bestiaries of various cultures, and sometimes I’m amazed by how imagination can conjure up such incredible creatures with extraordinary powers and strength. It would be fun to live in such a world, and that’s why I enjoy talking about it. When I created the two more medieval-oriented albums, I was undecided about starting a separate project under a different name. But in the end, I continued as Arbadax and incorporated “The Bard’s Tales” and “The First King” into Arbadax’s storytelling, as if they were tales of the mythology and past history of the island of Ankmar.
5. What do you think makes Dungeon Synth so unique compared to other ambient or electronic genres?
What sets it apart is a raw sadness and a gritty darkness that I don’t see in other genres. For example, ambient music is relaxing, and synthwave music is usually cheerful, with positive or ‘comfy’ vibes, as they say nowadays. But when you listen to DS music, you’re catapulted into a sonic dimension that takes you to other levels. Even comfy synth, which might not have that sad and dark note, transports you into a world where the musician wants to guide you (and I could mention Hole Dweller again in this regard). Perhaps this is also a characteristic of the genre: the listener lets the musician guide them into their world. A song title or even a brief bit of storytelling is enough to make it work. This is obviously what I’m trying to do as well.
6. Dungeon Synth often evokes the essence of nostalgia. How do you capture that feeling in your music?
Musically speaking, I like to write pieces that sound sad, and to do this, I usually rely on minor modes, technically speaking. However, it doesn’t mean that if I write melancholic-sounding pieces, I’m feeling that way myself. In fact, sometimes it’s the opposite—the music, as I write it, brings out certain emotions. It’s an equal exchange with what I’m creating.
7. How important was it to capture that on your first album, ‘A Sad Story Of Blood And Love’?
This was the first album; we were in the middle of the COVID era, locked inside for months, and in the album, I conveyed this sense of sadness, abandonment, and melancholy. The compositions were very minimalist and stripped down, and it naturally made me think of something terrible like war and a story of passion ending in blood. Then maybe there’s something personal as well, who knows?
8. Do you prefer your tracks to have more of a lo-fi or raw sound, or do you focus on more polished production?
So, this also seems to be quite a debate among DS fans, right? Probably, if I could afford it, I would go to a studio to work with a sound engineer or producer to get the best out of the tracks. But perhaps, at that point, it wouldn’t be DS anymore; it would become something else, because everything would be wrapped in a nice layer of sound, with bright dynamics and clear, well-balanced tones. I try to do the same on my own, on a smaller scale, often without consulting anyone. What comes out in the end is 100% mine, but I’d definitely be very curious to hear one of my albums professionally produced at a high level.
9. Your third album, ‘The Land Of Ankmar’ shows an incline in musical growth. Do you feel as if your comfort level in the genre was getting better at this point?
Let’s say I really started to enjoy myself. There was a period when I spent almost all of my free time writing music, recording, and jotting down ideas. I still have about a hundred riffs recorded on classical guitar, waiting to be developed. During that time, I also invented an alphabet that would be the alphabet of Ankmar and laid the foundations for its language. I was completely immersed in inspiration from all angles. It was also a period when I started studying piano and became interested in the basics of mastering and mixing techniques, but I eventually stopped due to lack of time. This project also marked a break from my previous work because it doesn’t represent the typical ‘journey’ theme of fantasy stories, but simply a description of my imaginary land, Ankmar, which is partially connected to Sardinia, where I was born. For example, ‘The Ruins of Karahal’ refers to the ancient name of the city of Cagliari, which was called Karalis in Latin. Or the sound of the sea in ‘The Grand Sea’ was recorded on a beach in Sardinia.
10. Your seventh album, ‘Lost’ is one of my favorites by you. The music is as relaxing as it is imposing. How do you balance simplicity and complexity in your music?
It is said that life requires balance, but man is not perfect and is in an eternal struggle to find balance in everything he does, in every emotion, and in every relationship. Sometimes genius is found in a person’s imbalance and madness, but I don’t think that’s the case for me because I’m a fairly rational person. Therefore, in my music, balance is still given by the sensations I feel. Often, I find myself adding instruments and overlapping harmonic lines in a compositional high, but then when I listen back the next day, I start to remove things, bringing the piece back to its simplicity and keeping only the parts that still sound good to me and that don’t alter the essence of the piece.Or it can just as easily happen the opposite, meaning that a piece that started off simple can then develop in an incredible and unexpected way. You know, sometimes when I listen back to my old tracks, I find that I absolutely don’t remember how I came to develop them in that specific way.
11. Do you incorporate live instruments into your recordings, or is it all digital/synth-based?
First of all, you should know that I’m not very good at playing the piano or keyboard. I usually write pieces on guitar or bass, then I take everything into MIDI and from there, I develop the piece by adding and removing until I feel it’s complete. So, it was inevitable that sooner or later, I would reach the point of adding something different, especially because I often feel the need to find new sounds. In ‘The Land of Ankmar,’ for the first time, I used an acoustic guitar, while in ‘Winds of War,’ I recorded bass and electric guitar with my Fender Precision and an Ibanez guitar. At that time, I was in an ‘epic metal’ phase; if I remember correctly, the war in Ukraine had just broken out or was about to break out, and I was angry. Subsequently, in my other works, I sporadically used the acoustic guitar, especially in the two projects with medieval sounds. I always think that sooner or later, I’ll make another album in the style of ‘Winds of War,’ with bass and electric guitar, because I had a lot of fun making it!
12. On your eighth album, ‘The First King’, there is again, another shift in musical focus as the tracks seem more melancholic yet more developed and powerful. How has your sound evolved since you first recording?
I had a lot of fun creating many harmonic lines on this album. There are some long and intricate pieces, with key changes and varying themes. This is definitely something I didn’t do in my earlier works, which may have been more repetitive, but you know, it also depends a lot on the mood and the types of sounds I use. With medieval orchestrations, there’s actually a lot of space in the mix to create many harmonies, while using fat pads like in ‘LOST,’ which occupy a lot of space in the frequencies, there’s much less room to develop harmonies. In any case, I like to frequently change the type of sound and song development, as I did with the latest album.
13. Your latest album, ‘The Necromancer’s Swamp’, is a short collection of fun tunes that are very eclectic. What was your vision with this album?
Originally, the tracks were created with the intention of doing something different from everything I had done before, and I started working on this album convinced that I would integrate it into the storytelling of the island of Ankmar. Then I was contacted by the label HDK to write five pieces to be published on a cassette alongside three other musicians, and so the composition took a different turn to follow the storytelling of the short narrative provided by HDK. I slightly modified the pieces by adding sounds and noises and replacing the percussion with pads that, in my opinion, give that eclectic touch you mentioned. Those tracks seemed perfect to me for telling a story of black magic and necromancy.
14. Do you see Dungeon Synth as a form of escapism for yourself? What do you hope that your listeners get out of your music?
Certainly, yes! I think all forms of art are like that. It starts with passion, and then when you delve into the art, you discover that it can also be a great way to unload your problems or transfer them into it. In a broader sense, there’s also the fulfillment that creating something of your own gives you, like when I made the physical copies of the cassettes, taking care of the artwork, the recording, and the preparation of the cassettes myself.
15. Can we expect any new releases from Arbadax this year? Do you plan to incorporate exciting new directions or experiments?
At the moment, I’m working again for HDK, this time for a full release, although I’m not sure when it will be ready, because in the coming months, I will also need to enter the studio with my band. Recently, I have actually slowed down my production pace, so we’ll see. I have a lot of ideas in my head that I would like to explore sooner or later… I’m always thinking about starting a project exclusively focused on historical themes, as well as the science fiction that I love so much, with sounds that are, how should I say, more ‘spatial’? Finally, I’m also considering making an album completely based on guitar and bass… We’ll see; at the moment, I’m not sure what I’ll do first or if I’ll be able to do everything.
16. I really appreciate you taking the time to answer these questions. Do you have any final thoughts for those that will be reading this?
I hope I haven’t bored you too much! I invite those who don’t know me to check out some of my work on my channels. Arbadax awaits you in the city of Ankmar, in the land of Ankmar, to share a drink together at the Boar’s Inn. But send a messenger first, because I might be too busy studying a new spell, and I would be sad not to meet you! Remember to support music and your favorite artists, stay in peace but fight for your well-being.
Almost two hundred and seventy years ago, Earth experienced the rise of the Industrial Revolution. This was a time when hand made goods gave way to much faster and efficient machinery. As this dynamic became more large scale, so did the exponential use of factories, broadening the scope of expansion and a necessity for expedient reliability. However, a looming downfall became present in the form of perpetual harsh noise, the release of deadly chemicals in the air and the rise of healthcare concerns due to smog and pollution. Although the Industrial Revolution has come and gone, lingering developments from that period are still in use, especially in the form of large-scale factories – which continue to deliver the negative anomalies as in the past. That brings me to the fascinating new album by Conducive called ‘Vanterwood Industries, Inc.’, a three track magnum opus that focuses on the chaotic elements of industrialized tormentors and their abrasive influence.
“At The Edge Of Town” is a powerful seventeen plus minute album opener that doesn’t waste any time delivering a menacing scene of black smoke, dense fog and voracious machinery with an insatiable appetite for devastation. With industrial chaos thrashing at full speed, this unstoppable presence creates an intoxicating fabric of endless sound with an intriguing appeal of mesmerizing modulations. The sound patterns on this track loop with full force, creating an anxious blend of eerie commotions and an intensity that is destined to pummel everything in its wake. Additional heavy machinery noises begin to take shape in malevolent pattern that increases with ferocity as they cycle through their creative process. As the droning ambience begins to thicken, a sense of chaos is abound, increasing productive and unabridged wear and tear simultaneously. As the machinery is pushed to the brink of its capacity, a sense of dread begins to compound, while melancholic intonations are scattered throughout, like a sudden disharmonic side effect that may soon breakdown the workload of the machinery. The track abruptly stops, as if a horrified worker suddenly presses the emergency stop button, putting an end to the noise abscondment. The second track is the short, “Outside The Factory Walls (12pm)”. At just under two and a half minutes, this track represents a much needed break time from factory endeavors and although it’s much more peaceful than the first track, it continues to showcase another side of endless noises that invade outside. From natural sounds to motor vehicles there is no actual peace from the turbulent sounds that fills the audible space in our lives. The final track on the album is the near twenty minute long, “The Brink Of A New World”. Commencing with a soothing drone, a variety of one-off sounds create a dawning soundscape that slowly intensifies over time. The alluring effects casually accelerate into a wall of distortion that increasing multiplies as the track continues to unfold. At about halfway in, a motley of heavy machinery produces a synchronized pattern of dominating vortex energy that translates into harsh, mechanized chaos. Soft synth pads are tenderly introduced, giving us a somber reminder that industrialized machinery is a dominating force that cannot be stopped and that our surrender to its malevolent presence is impending.
Although Conducive has only been around for a short period of time, the creative force of this project is extremely satisfying. The chaos produced on this album allows for endless, imagined possibilities and is addictive to listen to as well. To some that may not be familiar with the genre of harsh noise, their only takeaway may be that it’s just an album full of perpetual chaos. However, there is an element of beauty that is represented on ‘Vanterwood Indistries, Inc.’ that stretches far beyond noise. If you let your imagination go and soak in all of the intricate details that may go overlooked, you’ll be completely satisfied with the end result. This album is absolutely amazing and without a doubt, my favorite offering by Conducive. If you’ve not checked this one out yet, you’re missing out on an amazing experience that is like no other. Click on the link below and begin your trip through the industrial wastelands of ‘Vanterwood Industries, Inc.’
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This was another fantastic year for Dark Ambient music. Not only were there many releases from well-known artists, but there were many great releases from up and coming artists as well. That being said, I was a fan of so many Dark Ambient albums this year, that it was almost impossible to come up with a Top 10. I could have easily had a Top 100 but it would have taken me forever to compile and write about each of them. After much thought (and a few changes along the way), I’m happy with this Top 10 list and hope you enjoy it as well. If some chance you’ve not heard any of these projects, I highly recommend them. Happy readings, Happy New Year and I already can’t wait for 2024!
10. Monasterium Imperi – Sanctium Choir Collection
Scorpio V has released four extremely impressive albums under the Monasterium Imperi moniker this year but ‘Sanctium Choir Collection’ is the grandest of them all. Over two hours of bleak, Gregorian chants over haunting drones is exactly what I love about this project and ‘Sanctium Choir Collection’ delivers in a monumental way. In all honesty, I wish this album was about four hours long but the seven epic tracks contained within will do just fine. Perfect for meditation, background noise or sleep music, I can’t recommend this one enough. Even though it’s only been out about a week, it definitely deserves a spot on my year end list. Don’t sleep on this one!
Infinexhuma released ‘Denown’ back in March and it’s been one of my go-to Dark Ambient albums ever since. Featuring a murky blend of industrial noises and immeasurable drones, this album almost has a ritualistic essence to it. This intense collection of colossal modulations is – at times – downright terrifying. There are bits of sinister vocalizations that will have you checking the perimeters for evil entities and I wouldn’t recommend this to fall asleep to, unless you desire the most extreme forms of nightmares in existence. Highly recommended for fans of more extreme forms of Dark Ambient music.
Scorpio V’s second entry in this year end list is for his bellwether project, Metatron Omega. Released on the mammoth Cryo Chamber label, ‘Kataphasis’ continues a long string of Metatron Omega albums that emphasizes Dark Choir chants and haunting ambient textures. In addition to the elongated droning modulations, there are some beautifully melodies throughout that adds another dimension to this imposing offering. Chances are, if you’re reading this article, then you’re already aware of this massive project and the consistent vibes of the six releases available on the Cryo Chamber label Bandcamp site; but if you’re not familiar with Metatron Omega, I highly recommend ‘Kataphasis’ as a starting point.
Dev-I-Ant is another amazing project that has a pretty consistent catalog of sinister offerings. From the opening modulations of ‘A Place Of Warmth And Tears’, I knew this album was going to be a malevolent journey into the depths of darkness. From terrifying soundscapes throughout and the horror-like theme that spews from every track, there is no way that I could leave this masterpiece off of my year end list. If your aim is to be aghast while experiencing Dark Ambient music, then look no further than this album and be prepared for a frightful encounter.
Sonologyst excels at releasing masterful Dark Ambient albums that build upon isolationism through elongated drones and minimalist haunts. On the projects latest effort, ‘Shortwave Spectrum’, the intonations go above and beyond than ever before. Featuring over ninety minutes of ghastly sequences that are reminiscent of sounds that may be heard at an abandoned communication station, these tracks provide the full experience of abandonment and psychotic terror. Although not as ominous as other releases in my collection of Top 10 releases, there is an everlasting presence of dread that has an equivalent effect. If nominal Dark Ambience is your thing, then the works of Sonologyst will be right up your alley and ‘Shortwave Spectrum’ would be the perfect starting point for diving into this eerie style.
The third and final entry for this Top 10 list by Scorpio V is the enthralling, latest chapter of raw, Gregorian Chants by Eshaton called, ‘Pneumos’. Consisting of a single, thirty four minute track, ‘Pneumos’ builds upon coarse production efforts, grainy synth modulations and persistent dark choir effects to deliver an ancient – almost Medieval – sound that is consistently bleak but with an emotive posture. As Scorpio V continues to expand his unique sound fit for a fantastical universe, Eshaton is quickly becoming my favorite project out of all of his endeavors. Even fans of Dungeon Synth will become drawn to this effort and appreciate this massive sound for what it is – dismal and introspective.
I continue to be astonished by the consistent output from Blackweald. Not only are the albums filled with dreadful, Dark Ambient soundscapes, but the theme choices and album length are a huge undertaking as well. ‘The Fermi Exhibit’ is over five hours of unhinged, maniacal ambient music that contains bits of Space Ambient, Ritualistic tones, industrial Ambient and Isolationism all wrapped up in a single release. Additionally, the use of field recordings and demonic effects are prevalent throughout, making this a true Dark Ambient masterpiece. My favorite track is the one hour, forty four minute long “Vast Emptiness”, as it is a Space Ambient showcase that goes from nominal tones to penetrating horror and the listener gets to experience the dark unknowns of doomed space travels. Don’t pass on this immaculate offering.
Stars Without Light is a completely new listening experience for me and I was immediately hooked when listening to ‘Beneath And Before’. Even though this is the first album from this project, it’s easy to identify that the music contained within is the product of a veteran Dark Ambient musician. From crisp drones to apocalyptic soundscapes, this is for certain, one of the darkest offerings in my Top 10 list. At times, it borders into complete noise terror with complacent Industrialism, with a surprising ritualistic twist, and other times it sways through chaotic soundscapes that are equivalent to vicious nightmares. Even though this offering is just under thirty six minutes, you’ll feel completely drained of any comforts upon the first listen. This is a brilliant release that must be heard by all fans of Dark Ambient music.
If you’re not familiar with the Planetary series by Ruptured World, then you’re probably living under a rock or are not familiar with Ambient music in the first place. All jokes aside, This series – which consists of four releases – is an enthralling experience that has a complete story narration that is just as exhilarating as the music. In the latest installment, ‘Xenoplanetary’, Ruptured World goes all out to provide one of the best listening experiences ever recorded and – in my opinion – the best chapter of the Planetary series. The music, which is completely captivating and full of trance-induced emotions, plays on loop until the listener is completely entrapped. Then, the haunting narrations of Alistair Rennie will send you spiting into an otherworldly experience like no other. Tracks like “The Cruel Darkness” and “The Daze Of Foreboding” are so good, they’ve remained on repeat since the album was released in January.
God Body Disconnect is one of the most consistent artist on the Cryo Chamber label and whereas his albums has mostly a dystopian feel to them, I find myself drawn in by the simple (and sparse) narrations that provide a huge amount to expression to each release. However, ‘The Weight Of Regression’ is a monumental achievement in multiple ways and this seventy six minute endeavor is my favorite Dark Ambient album of 2023. Not only are the dreamy synths still present throughout, but the addition of percussion instruments provides a Dark Noir texture which ultimately emits a potent sound that is highly addictive. “Remnants Of A Soldier” is almost like a Post-Rock track that hypnotizes for over eleven minutes, while “Dosed And Dreaming” is one of the most calming experiences on the entire album. All in all, there is a lot of variety on this album that gives it the ability to remain fresh and relevant for a long time to come.
As I continue to explore the depths of Ambient music, I often find myself amazed at the talent that is out there. Daily, I dig through the trenches of Bandcamp, in search of something new and innovative. Other times, it’s chance encounters on social media that brings in the amazement. My introduction to Anser Flare was the latter. Where as a lot of Ambient and Dark Ambient music slowly builds in layers, creating songs of epic lengths, Anser Flare takes a more modest approach, creating celestial incantations that are shorter and often times more lively. I recently had the opportunity to have a discussion with the artist known as Anser Flare (now simply known as Anser), to find out what this project is all about. Hope you enjoy this interview and please check out the fascinating works of Anser!
1. Thank you for taking the time to answer a few questions for The Dungeon In Deep Space. Let’s start with the origins of Anser Flare. How did this project come about?
I was originally interested in doing something more minimal than my old project Madrigals. It made sense to keep the styles separate as in July ’22 I was in the middle of recording a DS split.
2. Your first release was ‘Gnosis’ back in September of 2022. I find a lot of musical influences on this recording and it transcends the thresholds of just Dark Ambient. Who were some of your influences at this time?
Gnosis was heavily inspired by Aphex Twin, Kraftwerk, Prurient, and some of my dark ambient collaborators on Umbra Vulgaris such as Sylvanum and Narbaiz. Gnosis was about a young man who leaves Earth after it’s rendered mostly uninhabitable by a meteor. There is a full story but lately I’ve paid less attention to shaping the narrative.
3. After the ‘Gnosis’ release, you had a track on the ‘Falling From A Star’ collaboration. Can you talk a little about that project and how it came about with the other artists?
This split was fairly spontaneous. Aradias Kingdom and Fenrir both expressed interest in a “space ambient” split after they had original tracks on UVR’s “Shades of Dark Ambient V2”. My comfort zone leans more to the “pure dark ambient” side with less percussion or overt DS.
4. In June of 2023, you released ‘The Ethereal Hours’, which is another stellar musical journey that branches outside of the ambient genre more than ever. What led to the inclusion of these elements?
Thank you for your kind words! I have always been a big fan of 80s electronic, its revival with outrun/retrowave, and needed to step out of the comfort zone and make something pop fans might like. “Can You See Heaven” came about in trying to channel the 80s. As well as hearing The Weeknd in every shop for over a year and needing to get those songs out of my head!
5. I really dig the track, “Space Habitation” as it perfectly sums up the discordant and sonic journey for this album. What’s the story behind this 8+ minute track and is this longest song you’ve produced to date?
Space Habitation is the longest track across all my projects so far, yes. At this point in the story, the main character has left earth for good and lives permanently on a space station closer to Mars.
6. In October of 2023, you released the ‘Apostate’ album and it’s more of a Dark Ambient adventure, filled with a good amount of celestial drones. What influenced the soundscapes on this album?
“Apostate” was influenced a lot by Mortiis and Burzum, but without high fantasy reference points. Where the previous album was more extroverted, I tried to create a very subdued, solitary feeling. It also basically ignored the story written so far.
7. In my opinion, the track “Reincarnate” is some of your best work and has a minimalistic quality that can easily be built upon. What’s the chances of releasing more works of this nature?
Very high. One of the Logic synths “Haunted Castle” from that song makes its way onto each release at least once.
8. I know that 2023 is coming to a close but do you have any more releases planned for the immediate future?
Nothing immediate. There will be another full-length from Anser in mid 2024.
9. How about collaboration efforts? Is there any more of those in the works?
You might know that I play synths in the Dungeon Synth project “Deabruen”. I consider that a long-standing Anser-Narbaiz collaboration. But no splits planned at the moment. “Ethereal Hours” will also be out on cassette this winter from Fantasy Audio Magazine, and “Apostate” from Umbra Vulgaris on November 17.***
10. I know that for many independent artists, the Bandcamp platform has been extremely reliable (up to this point) but do you release music on any other platforms, including physical releases?
Bandcamp is the main way. All the tapes and CD-R’s of Anser are available through UVR on Bandcamp and Discogs, and for streaming on Spotify, Apple etc.
11. You’ve mentioned Umbra Vulgaris a few times so far. Is this a label that you put together? If so was it intended only for your own projects or was it open to other artists as well?
Yes, UVR was an idea dating back to early 2021 as a way to release my own music on CD or cassette at low cost. There have been multiple people tangentially involved behind the scenes but it’s always been my label. It was open to other artists from Fall 2021, but with an emphasis on split EPs and albums, such as those with Sylvanum, Narbaiz and Frostgard. Full length albums from other artists arrived in 2022 and it became a “proper” label.
12. If I’m not mistaken, the first release on this label was ‘Fallen’ by Madrigals. Can you talk a little bit about this project and is it one that you plan to continue at some point?
That’s right, it was a digipak limited to 100 copies. I still have about a dozen. Madrigals was a melodic dungeon synth project that mostly used ideas I had been holding onto for years, before really becoming aware of DS as an active genre. After realizing a lot of it existed, and people were doing much cooler things with it than me – e.g. any of the other artists on those splits – it lost its magic and Anser became my primary focus. I don’t plan to continue as Madrigals.
13. What’s your opinion on digital releases versus physical releases? How have both formats helped shape Umbra Vulgaris Records?
Digital releases without a physical tend to get unfairly written off. Cassettes have their obvious charm, and CD’s too in my opinion; so they’ll always be part of what I do. As far as the label goes, it would be great to try and grow the digital side – free compilations, e-zines, even considered a podcast. In the current setup, we’re trading and wholesaling off a lot of cassettes to build up an extensive distro selection, which will help support more digital output. The distro is overwhelmingly tapes, so we’ve been pigeonholed as a “tape label” which is probably fair.
14. I really appreciate you taking the time to have this interview session. Do you have any final thoughts for those that may be reading this?
Thank you very much for your questions, and thank you to the readers!
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