Wow, Ave Noctum actually gets sent some dungeon synth at last! Aye I was right on this when it popped up. But there are a couple of curiosities here too. Firstly; Relapse? Dungeon synth? Ooookay. Strange home but there we go. Secondly, actual membership is a bit sparse but apparently contains members of Poison Ruin, and if there was ever a bunch of outliers in the world of music they are them. If you don’t know them, think a US punk band with a bit of black metal, a tiny touch of folk and a strange medieval atmosphere and aesthetic with songs that sound like they fit that but more often have real world allegory. Give them a listen, well worth it.
But Shadow Knell is not them. This is dungeon synth (I’m typing that as often as I can in this review just because it’s fun to do…).
‘Intone’ sets the scene for us. Perfect, gentle, quiet keys and a wistful melody. Soft and sparse drum sound. It is just superbly arranged; opening out your mind and letting a dark but somehow beautiful world of fantasy to unveil itself. ‘Procession’ follows, the sound of grand horns announcing the arrival, kettle drums deepening the majesty and importance of the scene. It makes me hold my breath, the imperious images in my mind progressing sedately.
‘Out From Hiding’ brings delicacy, and almost Japanese lilt to the melody. Someone small, nervous and wary perhaps. This is what the best dungeon synth does; it opens that gate in your mind and your imagination wanders, runs and strolls unhindered finding the story as it might. Some albums set the scene with texts, but none came with this so everything depends on what my mind shapes.
We travel through the realm of ‘Diminished Reflection’ a pastoral feel drifting around the edges of the sound. ‘The Briar Harp’ is perhaps the most sweet and simple passages here. The gorgeous plucked sounds with the most gentle of keyboard washes behind. ‘Bell Umbra’ brings a sound that has the sound of Vangelis’ ‘Heaven And Hell’ haunting it, with Dead Can Dance perhaps one of the deepest touchstones outside of the metal roots. ‘Arcane Discovery’ simply twinkles with weird light in the shadows; claustrophobic in a soft manner yet cinematic in its sense of awe. And finally we reach the banks of ‘Night River’ where the darkness absorbs the sounds and a dark marvel slowly flows past into adventures beyond.
This is excellent ambient music; at turns sweet, ominous, powerful or delicate. It transports you and offers a place for your mind to be free to imagine. What? Whatever the music builds within. Beautiful production, gorgeous music and arrangements this is an exemplar. If you simply wish to relax, perhaps with a drink of your choice, a favourite tale and the lights low it is perfect. But also for anyone with a love of legend, folk lore and fantasy it is just perfect. It gives you the retreat to walk as you will and the magic to conjure phantasms, quests and heroes from within. It gives you a place to forget the world outside just for a while.
If you have never touched the genre but the above intrigues, Shadow Knell is a perfect introduction. But be warned if you succumb to it the dizzying world of this curious little sub-genre it will hold you tight forever.
With Atlantean Sword, Neverlur and Sokol Keep this is one of the finest dungeon synth creations I have heard this year.
(9/10 Gizmo)
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