- Dungeon synth, a backdated term for the goofy pseudo-orchestral synth music that black metal musicians made in the '90s, has become the subject of renewed attention. Several producers without ties to metal now make music in the style, including Northern Electronics founder Anthony Linell. Old Tower is another standout from this new wave. The Dutch producer has created an immersive world that emphasises the best parts of the style. Using track titles like "Deep Within My Somber Castle Halls," his music evokes the typical imagery of dungeon synth—courtly rituals, lonely medieval fortresses, the clammy cold of stone buildings—without indulging in the faux-Renaissance melodies or junky Casio sonics of its most predictable tracks.
Stellary Wisdom is Old Tower's debut on Profound Lore, a forward-thinking metal label also home to experimental artists like Prurient. The 12-inch features two side-long compositions. "Deep Within My Somber Castle Halls" will be familiar to dungeon synth heads, painting rudimentary melodies with rich brush strokes. "Stellary Wisdom" is where the magic happens. It's a long, textured drone that changes between thin and thick across 15 minutes. This detailed, kosmische-like approach makes the music feel as eerie as the artwork and concepts it comes with. So much of the style relies on clichés to transport the listener to the Dark Ages, but Old Tower shows how texture and atmosphere can evoke that mood—and how gripping it can be.
TracklistA Deep Within My Somber Castle Halls
B Stellary Wisdom