Tarzownik - Castle
Chiptune should be no stranger when it comes to dungeon synth. For some of us, dungeon-themed computer-music was some of the first dungeon-synth´ish music that reached our young and innocent ears. We´re talking games on older consoles (Sega Mastersystem, Megadrive, NES etc) and on older home-computers (C64, PC, Spectrum, Amiga500). This project merges the elements from old-school primitive dungeon-synth with chiptune, the result sounds like vintage background music on classic point-and-click adventure games. We´re talking about those kinds of adventure games we had on the Amiga500 and PC. Secret On Monkey Island, Loom, Manic Mansion and then further onto such classic fantasy-themed RPGs like Bards Tale, Fairytale, Pools of Radiance and Eye of the Beholder. Nevertheless, 11 tracks packed into one album is about 30 minutes in total. The album (called Castle) is available via the band's official Bandcamp site, and it has also been released as a beautiful (kind-of) digipack via the Polish label Raven Fortress. The physical release (sadly) is sold-out via the artist's page, maybe one should try to send a message to the label via the official Raven Fortress facebook profile (see link below!).
The first track simply called Honour puts the mood right and tells (honestly) the listener what sort of dungeon synth we´re dealing with. 8-bit graphics showing a gloomy and grim castle surrounded by a mist, with valiant knights in shiny armour standing as guards at the castle-gate. Pretty cool, evocative and minimalistic fantasy-themed chip-tune dungeon-synth so far. Love the synthetic wood-´ish sounding xylophone here, really puts the listener into a nostalgic mood. The second track offers a more doom´ ish setting. It´s called Armies, and by the heavy and grim sound of it does resample march music for an orc army! Something heavy armoured and bend on death and destruction. Third track King sounds... as if the king sees that there is absolutely no way to escape this utter destruction, I am imagining a crazy king like Denethor II (Lord of the Rings).
Fourth track Chapel follows the King theme further on into moody darkness. Fifth track Defensor, illustrates panic and stress among the protectors of the castle (I Think). Not a very comforting track, but a more angst-ridden and stressed out piece. Sixth offering named Castle (like the album title) brings a more protective and secure mood, obviously, nothing can break down the walls of this ancient castle. A very solid track! The Monks being the seventh track returns the album to its essence of gloom and despair, but the ending of this track reveals a tiny glimpse of hope. Angelic synth-choirs reveals a way-out... salvation before death perhaps? Next track which is a short one called Ranger, clearly describes someone being very stealthy and deadly... Bowman sniper-style, the kind which can see through the darkness. Swordmaster being my favourite track on the album, do give this track some extra ear attention! Second last track Torchlight, being the strongest track on the album. A very hectic escape down through a narrow and long staircase, with that flickering torchlight in your hand. The album ends with Shadows... shadows?. What shadows? The shadows that still lingers in the grim castle after the brutal massacre?. Who knows...
A very dark and serious computer-vintage chip-tune dungeon experience if you ask me. Perfect for playing AD&D Ravenloft to in the background, or a horror-themed Warhammer Fantasy Roleplaying scenario (if you ask me). Might even call this castle-synth rather than dungeon synth, you´ll understand when you hear it! Would I recommend it?. Yes, to hardcore fans. For beginners, probably not. Not because it's bad or anything (I fxxxxxx love it!) but again, a very dark and heavy album for the chip-tuned dungeon-synth beginners. Everyone who would remember those old video/computer-games will love this, I am absolutely sure!.
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