Title: Looming Obsolescence
Artist: Conquest
Rating: 3.5 / 5
Genre: Dungeon Synth
Year: 2014
Country: Australia
Label: Self-released
A grey tower made entirely of pencil art stands tall on a deserted mountainside. This is the artwork that first peaked my interest in listening to the music of Conquest, an Australian dungeon synth project from a man known only as Ehre. According to the bandcamp page, this release was done entirely on two tape decks and a Casio keyboard, which leaves the release with a low quality sound, not unlike listening to old Gothmog demos. Although the loss of quality that results from recording a demo ‘the old way’ is present here, Conquest’s music still manages to keep the listener’s interest with it’s classic Dungeon Synth style.
The opening track Equidistant Moons really creates the atmosphere of the gloomy, desolate tower depicted in the cover art. Choirs, organs and bells are all used to create an old and melancholic soundscape, which perfectly sets the tone for the remainder of the release. The second song “Of Triumph, Sorrow, and Woe” is one of the highlights from Conquest. The somber strings and brass sounds bring to mind Gothmog’s “Medival Journeys” and the first Mortiis full length, where linear song structures take the listener on a long journey through corpse-ridden battlefields and the massive black gates of Mordorish castles. Conquest really excels at creating strong deep brass sections with militant timpani drumming, not unlike some of the Isengard sequences used in the Lord of the Rings films. While the poor production of the demo hinders the full force of these instruments, the composition and atmosphere is still strong enough to leave an impression, which is no small accomplishment.
Conquest also excels in creating great fast-paced piano melodies, which can be heard in the songs Enamoured of Winter and My Kingdom Lost. Given the method of recording this demo, it is clear that Ehre is a competent and skilled keyboard musician. My Kingdom Lost also features a great timpani only outro, furthering the martial atmosphere present throughout portions of the album.
Looming Obsolescence is a very promising release from an artist who shows a lot of potential. Dungeon Synth purists who value composition and atmosphere will likely be impressed by this work,
