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Review Summary: The portal to a magical realm Winterstead’s biggest accomplishment is that it travels you to a place where winter reigns supreme and is without end; a place where magic is real and strong. It feels like a journey to a mountain covered with snow and ancient trees. The ascension to the mountain is challenging and full of adventurous twists and turns, as you never know what the next corner hides. When you finally reach your destination, you are greeted by firelights gloaming from the townspeople’s huts. Just before you visit the lodge, filled with all types of characters from hunters to tradesmen, you take a deep breath and look around you; the snow-capped mountain peaks dwarf the giant sequoia trees towering above you. The feeling of mystique is so palpable and there is a sense of darkness in the air. However, everything is so enchanting that you can’t wait to step into that lodge, sit in front of the fireplace and listen to tales about what roams the uncharted lands before you.
Guild of Lore’s debut is an amazing companion, if you are willing to immerse yourself in a magical world; an evocative experience that transports the listener to a medieval setting. The music is varied and contains a number of different sounds, as GM Ingsmith never dwells on an idea for too long. As a result, the album flows easily and feels more like the soundtrack of an Elder Scrolls game rather than that of an early ‘90s RPG (‘90s RPGs rule btw). In addition, there is a great sense of melody, while the use of certain sound effects gives the LP a feeling of coziness. An atmospheric offering, it has some dark elements but this is not what prevails here; the emphasis is on creating lush, but not over the top, arrangements that emit a sense of grandeur. As such, it feels less dungeon-y than traditional DS.
The result of the above, is that Winterstead is not only a very enjoyable experience but also a good starting point for those who are not very familiar with dungeon synth as a whole. The feeling of progression makes this one an undemanding, yet rewarding listen. So, pour yourself a glass of brandy, sit comfortably by the fire, and enjoy the winter.
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Album Rating: 3.7 | Sound Off
Great winter soundtrack. Give it a chance if you're into dungeon synth.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Another dungeon synth review! Nice!
It was a very pleasant surprise when it was released in December.
I'm very curious about Guild Of Lore's next work - hopefully I can hear it in the third Shadowlore DS Compilation.
| | | Album Rating: 3.7 | Sound Off
Thanks! A pleasant surprise for sure. Checked it by luck and was immediately hooked. Definitely one of my fave 2018 DS along with Elffor, Dame Silu de Mordomoire and Sequestered Keep.
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so this is what they call dungeon synth? melikes
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
I found it while browsing the "winter synth" category on bandcamp, I was hooked immediately as well. Sequestered Keep is also brilliant! But I'd expect that from the person who's behind Fief too (rumors say) - which was my favourite from 2018.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Well, dungeon synth is, I'd say, a small subgenre in ambient music which branched out from black metal (I speak about the small intros and ambient tracks, not really about metal). It started around the very early 90's when Mortiis (Havard Ellefsen) left Emperor and started his own project. Also the Burzum prison albums are considered the start of dungeon synth music. Today this genre stands by its own and has different styles, but one thing is common: it's synth music.
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okay
| | | Album Rating: 3.7 | Sound Off
"But I'd expect that from the person who's behind Fief too (rumors say) - which was my favourite from 2018."
Oh yeah, Fief is great indeed! Also read somewhere that the man behind Sequestered Keep is also responsible for Thangorodrim, which is crazy considering that Taur-nu-Fuin is amazing.
Glad you enjoy the album, Papa. Feel free to check the other artists mentioned here. You'll probably enjoy their stuff.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Thank you for the review, will check this!
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This review made it to their bandcamp page
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Skyrim synth? I'm in.
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Yeah I need this asap.
| | | Album Rating: 3.7 | Sound Off
Really nice of him to upload the review on his bandcamp page.
Hope you enjoy, guys. Feel free to leave a comment when you check the album.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Yeah, this was great. Probably going to up this a .5 on further re-listens!
Highlight: 'Winter Riders'
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ope the dude the does fief is behind this? need to check for sure
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
Every word of this review makes me want to check this out. Good job dude!
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
@Spirit, sounds very Fiefy, certainly plausible
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
Shit, this is fief? Already had it downloaded, but that makes it a priority for me to check out
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
also, great review as usual!
| | | Album Rating: 3.7 | Sound Off
Thanks for the kind words guys, appreciate it!
I think what garas said was that the Sequestered Keep guy is behind Fief as well, not this one. But I'll let him clarify that.
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