Ever wish you could escape your tiring workday and retreat to a mystical world filled with trolls and goblins (and not just the ones from HR)? If so, you’d probably like Dungeon Synth, just like thousands of other office workers, basement dwellers, and bored contractors across the world. So let us delve into the genre’s origins and evolution, as we uncover an unusual story of artistic innovation and spontaneous musical generation.

What is Dungeon Synth?

As its name suggests, DS is intimately connected with fantasy worlds, such as those inspired by the Dungeons and Dragons tabletop empire. Conjuring images of torch-lit corridors, medieval landscapes, and fantastical realms, it’s characterized by its ethereal, otherworldly ambiance. It often incorporates synthesized or sampled orchestral and medieval instruments, but it can include percussion and occasionally vocals.

The genre isn’t just about sounds, though. DS album covers are also evocative works of art, and they often feature castles and epic medieval vistas full of dragons and strange creatures. If you found such an album cover in a record score, you’d be forgiven for expecting to hear black or even death metal inside. And this isn’t entirely a coincidence; metal and DS are closely related, and some might even argue they’re two sides of the same coin.

Let’s examine some of the similarities between the two genres. Both of them:

Reappropriate classical music structures in unconventional ways
Transport you to another place and time
Use nonclassical instrumentation
Create a dark atmosphere
Rely on alternate time signatures

Where Did Dungeon Synth Begin?

The story of Dungeon Synth began in the early 1990s when a Norwegian musician known as Mortiis released a series of demos under the banner "Era I." Mortiis's work was groundbreaking, as it marked one of the first uses of synthesizers in music inspired by fantasy and role-playing games, but synth-heavy video game soundtracks also contributed to a retro fantasy aesthetic that would become embedded in the popular imagination. Soon, other black metal musicians like Burzum started to create their own dungeon sounds, forming localized underground circles.

But DS remained a niche interest for many years. Even decades later, relatively few music fans knew much about the genre. Then, in the 2010s, a bubbling online music crucible finally gave way to a massive revival. New artists exploded onto the scene, and big names like Old Sorcery, Wongraven, and Old Tower offered their own takes on the classic sounds.

Perhaps no other genre owes so much to niche online music communities. Sites like Bandcamp became a hub for Dungeon Synth releases, allowing artists to share their music and listeners to easily discover new, enchanting compositions.

As DS gained momentum, it began to branch out into various subgenres, each with its own distinct flavor. Dark Dungeon Synth delves into more sinister and foreboding territory, while Medieval Dungeon Synth draws inspiration from historical periods. You can even find genres as specific as Desert Synth or Dungeon Drone.

Why Listen To Dungeon Synth?

One of the most compelling things about Dungeon Synth is its introspective nature. DS compositions are often solitary endeavors, reflecting the artist's personal journey into their imagined realms. This conveys a sense of authenticity that you’d be hard-pressed to find in more popular genres.

Still, at its core, DS's appeal lies in its ability to evoke powerful emotions and imagery. Much like reading a great fantasy novel, listening to Dungeon Synth is a form of escapism. It transports the audience to an imaginative world apart from the mundane one most of us inhabit. It lends itself well to multitasking, making it perfect for those working or living in less-than-creative positions.

Today, DS stands as a testament to the power of artistic exploration and the internet's ability to foster niche communities. It has evolved from a solitary pursuit into a vibrant subculture with a devoted fan base.

Dungeon Synth is always growing and expanding, and there’s no limit to the genre’s size or scope. Whether you’re a metal fan or you simply love fantasy reading, consider checking out a few of the hits. Got a DAW and synth? Maybe you can make your own. You too can achieve subculture superstardom from the safety and comfort of your own basement (dungeon).

Until next time, stay metal, and keep browsing Metalblog for the best in metal art, music, and literature.

What Is Dungeon Synth, and Is it Metal?