Ranseur - Gnome Songs For Ritual Cleansing
Released back in May, something gave a hint or two that a review about this obscure cult dungeon-synth act would be avoidable, think that I noticed that Tyrannus mentioned Ranseur as a huge influence upon the world of dungeon-noise. So yes, the very ground-zero for dungeon noise maybe?. Let us find out! 32 minutes, 4 tracks.
The first track simply called Underground presents itself to the listener of being the sort of...strange and non-typical dungeon synth. Strangely rhythmic, noisy and folk´ish? A wall of pink noise hisses gently on top, a strange tapping spitting sound like a coffee machine and... absolutely great and primitive-catchy Dungeon & Dragons kind of semi-martial synth tuns. Very kind of ... Dwarf Synth working underground kind of tune.
Next piece called Hall of the Mountain Gnome offers the same strange sound-aesthetics as the first one. But again with a fantastic organ-synth tune. For some strange reason, my mind thinks, that there is a slightly early 80s synth/electronic-pop element over the melody. It has an almost jazzy groove edge to it. Take the strange b-sides of Depeche Mode, Yazoo or even Cabaret Voltaire. Probably just me being an old dog for that kind of music, but the track does have that certain melodic charm!
The third charmer on the album Thorn and Briar Dance offer honky-tonky jazzy piano-clarinet synth, definitely dungeon synth music for gnomes. You can even dance to it if you like, first time I have heard dungeon synth with a dance´ish charm to it. Love the way the whole catchy shit sound 100% improvised, but still very organized in s great monotonous way.
Last track called Svirfneblin being the most epic of them all, and the darkest if you ask me. Remember that scene where Conan and his companions are sneaking their way into Thula Doom´s fortress? All while strange, decadent erotic rituals are being performed by his cultists? That kind of soundtrack-mood! A lovely doom´ish way to end this great mini-album!
I can easily understand why this act being a cult act, it´s bloody unique. Perfectly balanced between being primitive and catchy at the same time while maintaining that white-noisy edge background. The noise works for the listener in a way to represent itself as being ... ancient and esoteric. And it bloody works!. Be sure to give it a listen, I want this on cassette for sure!.
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