Ivanova Kula - Lullaby For Undead Knights
The Greek label Black Death Industry also deals in dungeon synth, and Lullaby For Undead Knights by Serbian-based Ivano Kula falls into that category. The person behind this project is also responsible for several experimental/electronic projects, which you can all check out in his Discogs profile (link below). This album is by Ivano Kula. And it has been released as a CD-R that comes in a plastic sleeve, with a booklet, offcourse. 9 tracks, 20 minutes in total.
The name of the project comes from the name of the fortress of Ivan Kosančić, which is situated in Serbia, located close to the village of Ivan Kula itself. It is also the same tower on the cover. Offcourse, lots of history is attached to it. The foundation of the tower was built by the Romans. And the album title might refer to two knights who were attached to the fortress... named Milan Toplika and Miloš Obilić, who were members of the Dragon Order. Who went to the Battle of Kosovo in 1389.
The first intro track is simply called Overture, opens the album with a melancholic touch on a cold and foggy day. Instantley getting the impression of seeing the fortress from a distance.
The second track, The Deserts And Ruins Were Once rolls straight into simple medieval-inspired dungeon synth... with that historic kind of sense to it. Early European proto dungeon synth like Mortiis and Depressive Silence.
The third track, Through The Corridors Of Zaborav & Bestrag, has an elegant and haunting feel to it. The way the spirits of the dead can be sensed on historic sites, which is easier on a cold and foggy day, offcourse!
We jump to my favorite piece on the album, which is the seventh track, with the same title as the name of the album. A slightly uplifting sense of pride rooted in ancient times. Still rooted in primitive ambient-synth sound, vibrating string synth, and reverb.
Lullyby For Undead Knights will please any fans of traditional proto dungeon synth, especially with that kind of European sound, which is rooted in history. With a sound that is melancholic, primitive, cold, grim, and worn out by harsh cold weather. And it´s simplistic, just two synths being played at the same time... but it does its job, there´s no need for extra layered sound or anything. Not groundbreaking stuff, but a piece that is simple and honest. You know what you should expect, and you get what u want... simple as that!
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