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Dungeon synth

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Dungeon synth
Stylistic origins
Cultural originsEarly 1990s, Norway
Typical instruments
Other topics

Dungeon synth is a genre of electronic music that merges elements of black metal and dark ambient. The style emerged in the early 1990s, predominantly among members of the early Norwegian black metal scene.

Characteristics

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The genre employs aesthetics and themes typically associated with black metal[4] juxtaposed to the typical heavy tremolo-picking, blast-beats, and harsh, shrieked vocals of black metal by way of compositions of instrumental or ambient music commonly used as introductions, interludes, or "outros" in black metal,[5] death metal, and heavy metal[6] albums throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Though often paired with medieval and fantasy motifs throughout the 1990s onward, some prominent contemporaries of dungeon synth reject the excessive prevalence of high-fantasy themes.[7] Dungeon synth is contentiously likened to video game music, due to fantasy influences, the usage and layering of synths, and a focus on ambience,[12] however this has been rejected by acts including Mortiis have rejected the influence of video game soundtracks on dungeon synth.[13][14][15]

History

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Precursors

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Dungeon synth is derived from black metal[19] and dark ambient.[20][21] Prior to the pioneering of dungeon synth, the influence of instrumental, electronic music had made its way into the early Norwegian black metal scene, with Tangerine Dream and Klaus Schulze influencing Mayhem, Emperor and Enslaved.[22][23] Mayhem's debut EP Deathcrush (1987) even opening with the Conrad Schnitzler composition "Silvester Anfang".[24]

Origins

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The progenitors of dungeon synth are Mortiis and Burzum, who both originated from the early Norwegian black metal scene: Mortiis being formed by Håvard Ellefsen, the bassist of Emperor; and Burzum originating as a black metal solo by Varg Vikernes of Old Funeral and Mayhem.[34] Under starting Mortiis, Ellefsen embraced the influence of Tangerine Dream, Klaus Schulze,[35] Skinny Puppy and Enigma.[36] Mortiis' first demo, clocking in at just under an hour in length, marked the first time a musician made use of black metal aesthetics on a release that contained entirely instrumental and non-traditional black metal instrumentation.[37] The second iteration of this demo tape would be the first time Ellefsen would use the phrase "dark dungeon music" to refer to its style.[38] Mortiis went on to be a major performer of this genre and the style is heavily prevalent in early releases such as Født til å Herske[39] and later releases from the return to the "Era I" sound, chiefly Spirit of Rebellion.[40] Other prominent contemporaries of the genre include Old Tower, Sombre Arcane, Thangorodrim, and Depressive Silence.[41][42]

Vikernes cited Das Ich, Dead Can Dance and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky among influences on Burzum's ambient aspect.[47] While, Finnish dungeon synth musician Tuomas M. Mäkelä of Jääportit[48] has cited Dead Can Dance and Arcana among their influences. Robert Nusslein (founding member of Ritual) of Casket of Dreams has listed Tangerine Dream, Velvet Acid Christ, Dead Can Dance, and Death in June among his influences.[49]

In 1993, Danish project Dark Funeral released their demo, which is occasionally invoked alongside Mortiis' earliest works as another example of nascent dungeon synth but the project quickly ended after releasing two demos.[50][51][52] That same year, Jim Kirkwood published two works which would retroactively be touted as influencing early dungeon synth music: Through A Dark Glass[53][54] and Tower of Darkness.[55][56] 1994 saw the publication Pazuzu's ...And All Was Silent, which is now a part of dungeon synth canon.[60]

References

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  1. ^ a b Neill Jameson (October 16, 2017). "Mortiis: From Black Metal to Dungeon Synth and Beyond". Retrieved January 21, 2017.
  2. ^ Editorial (30 March 2017). "A Guide Through the Darkened Passages of Dungeon Synth". Bandcamp Daily. Retrieved 2019-03-12.
  3. ^ Stuart Maconie (2020-05-24). "Dungeon Synth". BBC Radio 6 Music. Retrieved 2020-05-24.
  4. ^ [1][2][3]
  5. ^ "Intros, Outros and Instrumental Interludes…yes or no?". Man Of Much Metal. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  6. ^ Hannum, Terrence (March 18, 2016). "Instigate Sonic Violence: A Not-so-Brief History of the Synthesizer's Impact on Heavy Metal". Vice. Vice Media. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  7. ^ Göransson, Niklas (1 May 2019). "Old Tower Interview". Bardo Methodology. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  8. ^ "Rumbling Under The Mountains: A report On Czech Dungeon Synth". Retrieved 16 May 2021.
  9. ^ Curtis-Brignell, Andy (6 April 2017). "Out of the Dungeon: In Conversation with Mortiis". Vice. Vice Media Group. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  10. ^ "The Adventures of Mortiis".
  11. ^ Bannister, Sasha (28 January 2020). "Mortiis - Spirit of Rebellion". www.noizze.co.uk. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  12. ^ [8][9][10][11]
  13. ^ "Mortiis Interview with Dungeon Synth Zine" (PDF). Dungeon Synth Zine (3): 12. 1 September 2020. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  14. ^ "Dungeon Synth - Music Out of Joint". DataSwamp. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
  15. ^ "Old Nick Interview". The Call of the Night. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
  16. ^ Kahler, Charles (21 November 2017). "A Beginner's Guide to…Dungeon Synth". Indy Metal Vault. Indy Metal Vault. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  17. ^ Clementine Zimmer (6 February 2019). "On dangerous paths: an introduction to dungeon synth". Berkley B-Side. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  18. ^ "Is Dungeon Synth A Black Metal Offshoot, Or Something More?". Excuse the Blood. 27 September 2020. Archived from the original on 6 April 2021. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  19. ^ [1][16][17][18]
  20. ^ "Masmorra #1 A Dungeon Synth Zine". Hollywood metal. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
  21. ^ "Days of Yore: Dark Ambient, Black Metal, and the Birth of Dungeon Synth". February 15, 2016. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
  22. ^ Göransson, Niklas. "mortiis vond i". Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  23. ^ Everley, Dave. "Enslaved's Ivar Bjørnson: 10 albums that changed my life". Metal Hammer. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  24. ^ HALMSTAD, BREE. "13 Non-BM Artists That Black Metal Fans Will Enjoy". MetalSucks. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  25. ^ "Mortiis: Inventor of dungeon synth!". Permafrost Today. 4 November 2019. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
  26. ^ "The Legendary Mortiis Returns To His Dungeon Synth Roots On Meritorious New Album, 'Spirit Of Rebellion'". Dungeons in Deep Space. 14 February 2020. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
  27. ^ "Dungeon Synth Conjures Black Metal Fantasy". Legendo. 25 November 2020. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
  28. ^ "Mortiis – Era 1 North American Tour – Live Coverage in Baltimore". This Is Darkness. 29 March 2019. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
  29. ^ "A return to the dungeon: Feature article and interview with Mortiis". Sounds and Shadows. 30 January 2020. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
  30. ^ Tiwari, PJ (20 January 2020). "Interview: Mortiis on Masks, the Spirit of Dungeon Synth, and Not Letting The Bastards Get You In The End". New Noise. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
  31. ^ "Mortiis - Spirit of Rebellion | Album Review". www.noizze.co.uk. 28 Jan 2020. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  32. ^ "Summoning Interview". The Lodge. 2006. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  33. ^ "Interview with Old Tower Dutch Dark Ambient Dungeon Synth". Burders des Lichts. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
  34. ^ [25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33]
  35. ^ Jeremy Saffer (July 25, 2019). "MORTIIS: Behind the Mask of Mortiis". Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  36. ^ "Mortiis: 10 albums that changed my life". Metal Hammer. Louder Sound. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
  37. ^ "Mortiis – The Song of a Long Forgotten Ghost (Remaster)". Echoes and Dust. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
  38. ^ "Mortiis - The Song of a Long Forgotten Ghost". Demo Archives. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
  39. ^ Norman, Joseph (2 April 2018). "(((O))) Interview: Mortiis". Echoes and Dust. Echoes and Dust. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  40. ^ "Mortiis - Spirit of Rebellion". Official Mortiis Website. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  41. ^ "Roadburn Festival - Old Tower". Roadburn Festival. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
  42. ^ "Sombre Arcane, Francis Roberts, Nan Elmoth, Fvrfvr". Lost Coast Outpost. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
  43. ^ "Burzum: Heart of Darkness "Guitar World" Magazine". Burzum Official Website. April 2010. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  44. ^ "Interview with Varg Vikernes". Burzum Official Website. 12 August 2004. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  45. ^ "I am much scarier in real life... because I am - real". MetalScript.net. 24 February 2010. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  46. ^ "Interview with Varg Vikernes". Burzum Official Website. 14 April 2013. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  47. ^ [43][44][45][46]
  48. ^ "Jääportit Biography". Jääportit Official Website. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
  49. ^ "An Interview With Robert: Ritual Of Ritual". Metal Underground. 9 July 2009. Archived from the original on 2021-04-29. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
  50. ^ "Dark Funeral - In Thy Forest". Demo Archives. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
  51. ^ "Dark Funeral - In Thy Forest..." RateYourMusic. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
  52. ^ "The Dark Funeral - In Thy Forest... demo 1993". Asmodian Coven Blog. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
  53. ^ "Through A Dark Glass - Jim Kirkwood". Dungeon Codex. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
  54. ^ "Through A Dark Glass". Music Meter Netherlands. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
  55. ^ "Tower of Darness - Jim Kirkwood". Dungeon Codex. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
  56. ^ "Tower of Darkness - Jim Kirkwood". Music Meter Netherlands. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
  57. ^ "Pazuzu - ...And All Was Silent". Metal Music Archives. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
  58. ^ "Pazuzu - ...And All Was Silent". Metal Storm. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
  59. ^ "The Soil Bleeds Black Interview". RusMetal. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
  60. ^ [57][58] the self-released The Soil Bleeds Black demo tape,[59]
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