(10) Secret Stairways
The exploration of Dungeon Synth continues to be an interesting one. Its roots before the online explosion of Bandcamp records a decade ago seems to have fans unearthing lost relics. These newly surfaced cassettes have us enjoying a deceased musicians work from a time before there was much of an audience to enjoy it. An interesting sentiment but the music is good too!
(9) Tetrarch
Initially I wrote this band off for its formulaic creation of era inspired Nu-Metal. A lack of originality doesn't necessarily mean bad music. It can be a tough thing to look past but with time passing from my initial assessment, I've found myself really enjoying this record and getting those nostalgic youthful chills too!
Very much of the Tool inspired camp, the reference point has helped me find a way in! Its a new breed of metal for me and with little else of familiarity, I've really enjoyed this bands take on the Progressive and Alternative Metal sound. Originality is not a strength but the whole approach is fun and exciting for me right now.
(7) Arcanist
Another
Dungeon Synth record but this one is way more inline with what I'd like
to hear. A new taken on the genre that infuses "Berlin School" synth
ideals and paints an exciting soundscape with its progressive songs that
move together on a journey. It was a short but sweet journey and is now
very much one to look out for future releases.
(6) Cocteau Twins
Not
a new discovery but an intentional deep dive into an artist I knew of
two records already. Sadly, the plunge into both an extensive amount of
EPs and albums went a bit sideways as fatigue quickly set in. I will
pick up the journey again at some point. It was however a really nice
experience to get a bigger picture of a band with timely influences felt
in the decades that followed them. Treasure is still an all time
favorite of mine but now I got to add a few more songs to the list.
(5) Pop Will Eat Itself
As
a huge fan of Metal and Hip Hop it is practically an embarrassment to
have never stumbled on this British act before. There 80s crossover of
the two opposed sounds is just wonderful! A true moment in time
capturing the energy, spirit and culture of that era like a musical time
capsule. Its dated in the very best of ways!
(4) Gelure
Having
had permissions to stream this artist, my love of the music really
settled in as its relaxing ambience and warmness creates a wonderful
relaxed state that comes along with waffling about whatever is on your
chest for hours on end. It suited the experience so well my worry now is
that I might listen too it too much. A good problem to have!
Another from the streaming list, Jim has been on a "Dungeon Synth origins" list of mine for years. Finally pulling that trigger, I have now discovered wondrous world building music that has an ancient nostalgic charm, built on those classic keyboard tones without the steering into darkness that is all to common now. The Tolkien themes and general vibes of the music is very Dungeons and Dragons and that stream of imagination is my cup of tea!
(2) Lena Raine
To extend the simply enigmatic music of C418 and his Minecraft soundtracks would of once sounded like an impossible task yet Lena has stepped into that space wonderfully well. Reflecting many of the old ideals and injecting some of her own personality, it seemed likely her genius would extend beyond contributions to the soundtrack. That has certainly turned out to be true and I am now deadly excited to check out her debut album!
(1) The Alan Parsons Project
For
all the Progressive Rock I was raised with, The Alan Parsons Project
was not a part of that picture. It is however a perfect fit for that era
and thus I've had the odd nostalgic experience of discovering new songs
that remind me so fondly of my childhood music. Its as if I knew these
songs already. A novel and rare experience that I've treasured working
my way through the three records considered to be his best. I think I'll
has a couple more to the playlist at some point next year!
