Title: Blue Moon Gate Between Worlds
Artist: Forgotten Kingdoms
Rating: 4 / 5
Genre: Dungeon Synth
Year: 2015
Country: Australia
Label: Dark Adversary Productions
Forgotten Kingdoms is a Dungeon Synth project by Azgorh, who is better known for his work in the prolific black metal band Drowning the Light. Azgorh is a highly ambitious musician who has taken part in many projects that I enjoy (for example, the Eternum album ‘Veil of Ancient Darkness’ is one of the best black metal albums in modern times in my opinion). With Forgotten Kingdoms he explores the Dungeon Synth genre, and does so very well.
While it is tiresome to mention Mortiis in a Dungeon Synth review, it is unavoidable as a comparison here. Not every Dungeon Synth release necessarily creates the Mortiis vibe (for example, Lord Lovidicus and Abandoned Places have very little in common musically with Mortiis, while both list him as an influence). Forgotten Pathways bears resemblance to Mortiis while still maintaining a high level of originality. The synth sounds used here are very musty and old sounding (I am sure that this is a real synthesizer being used and not MIDI). Passages which typically revolve around 2-3 instruments and orchestral percussion weave in and out, with one section fading in volume before a new one being introduced (similar to releases such as Ånden Som Gjorde Opprør). Many of these synth melodies stay in my head for days after listening to the release, so while only a few instruments are used at a time, the melodies are well developed and highly atmospheric.
One aspect that makes this release stand out amongst modern Dungeon Synth music is the prominent use of vocals. Much like the classic Mournlord ‘Reconquering the Kingdom’ demo, reverb drenched vocals narrate tales of medieval sorrow, nostalgia, ancient kings, battles and days of old. This release is based on the pre-order of the album, which included a printed lyric sheet. I appreciate and enjoy the album even more after having the chance to read the lyrics, which says a lot about the value they add to the overall atmosphere of Forgotten Kingdoms. The third track ‘The Blood Stained Gold Armour of the King’ also uses some synthesized rock drumming, another thing not commonly used in modern Dungeon Synth (at the moment the only other project I can recall doing this is Taur Nu Fuin). The last track Warriors That Time Forgot is one of the best Dungeon Synth songs to be released within the last few years, with excellent brass and woodwind sections and lyrics which any fan who truly connects with the Dungeon Synth genre can appreciate and understand. The disgust for the modern world and a longing to return to the past is truly embodied in this song, and has the power to take me to another world far removed from the disappointment of our reality.
What Forgotten Kingdoms have created here is a genuine tribute to the glory days of 90’s Dungeon Synth. Everything from the artwork, to the synth sounds and the overall presentation makes this release feel like a lost Dungeon Synth relic from the past, which I’m sure was the goal. Everything that Azgorh does is traditional and true to the roots of the genre he’s playing, and Forgotten Kingdoms is no exception to this rule. Fans of Mortiis, Mournlord, Old Tower and the Voldsom Records catalog will certainly want this CD in their collection!
