Bitter Old Wizard - Southern Grim
New evidence that original and true dungeon synth still being very much alive and kicking! The latest(and upcoming!) album by Bitter Old Wizard from Alabama is no exception. Bitter Old Wizard being a fairly new dungeon synth act with various self-released digital albums (and singles) on his Bandcamp site, all of the released in 2018. And the upcoming Southern Grim might just be the best dish on his smörgasbord.
The murky title Southern Grim, and the cover-art clearly showing a hooded figure surrounded by a dense growth of trees demonstrating a sharp blade... might just frighten off new-comers to dungeon synth! But, there is really nothing to be afraid of (or is there?...).Regardless, Bitter Old Wizard being a perfect introduction to atmospheric dungeon synth for melodic ambient fans. We are not dealing with a typical dungeon synth act, but more like those mysterious/esoteric kinds in the same league as Erding or even like early esoteric ambient pioneers Ain Soph. Being ritualistic, with live pianos, primitive, trance-like improvisation, slightly gothic-horror´ish (Lovecraftian??, Poe´ish??). But at the same time being very digestible and universal in sound, clearly what one would define as classic horror music from an age sadly gone bye. If we were to connect this music to a medieval dungeon´ish setting, we would probably be at the mercy of a demon-worshipping heretic of a wizard. Still in doubt? Check out the satanic scenes with Baron Simon de Belleme from the old Robin of Sherwood series, and you will know what I mean! Or just look at this photo below while listening.
All the tracks are good and all the sounds are good. The atmosphere is perfectly dark and moody. The production being crystal clear, but not too smooth on the edges... We are still in the primitive and almost 8-bit kind of sound aesthetic dungeon here. The first track Bitter Old Potion gives the listener that ritualistic feeling of evil plotting in absolute secrecy. Creepy horror synths, dripping water in the deep cavern-sounds, ghostly winds howling (Winds in a cavern?..nahh... But who cares? It bloody works!) equals horror perfection! Second track My Discomfort Grows almost exploits the gothic ghost story, try reading M.R James to this and I will guarantee a stimulated and scary read. A simple piano tale without lyrics, very dark and very discomforting. Third offering Welcome To the Southern Grim adds a nifty dose of epicness to the album, martial drummings could have been added here... but, the track is still good (so no need for that).
Innocence Through Suffering being an intriguing track with multiple personalities within. Starts pretty innocent sounding, melancholic and soft sounding ambient-synth tunes ( a bit like Old Cabin ), it then later evolves back into that 8-bit black-dungeon-without-hope feel. It ends with a crystal clear glitch scream, heightening the esoteric feel. The fifth track reminds you of the Satanic undercurrents which run thickly and subtle on this album. The Morning Star, which of course has the Lucifer hint (look it up on Wikipedia!). A beautiful piano piece once again. The sixth track ends you up bound and waist-down in a cauldron, evil witches looking you over and waiting for their treat. There is absolutely nothing you can do, so you might as well wait for death to deliver you from the boiling pain.
The last tracks give you that returning soldiers in defeat kind of mood, there is really nothing to be glad about. After being tormented by satanic wizards and their potions to innocent sacrificial lambs and to end up with heretic witches in your company....... Damn!
A great blackened dungeon synth album, and a great gothic horror-synth album as well. 2 GREAT surprises in one!. Let us have this out on cassette please! Go and check it out while watching a good Hammer Horror movie!.
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