Review Summary: One of the strongest neoclassical dungeon synth releases of the year.
Among my favorite activities as a teenager, was treasure hunting at the record store; i.e. taking the bus, visiting various record stores, staying there for a significant amount of time, and, eventually, buying an album because of its cover. Nowadays, this has been replaced by browsing on YouTube, which, admittedly, is much cheaper and more convenient, but far less exciting. Nevertheless, said activity can lead to finding some booty every now and then, and, all things considered,
The Candlelight Tomes fits the bill. In fact, if dungeon synth releases were actual records stored in a huge library, Gelure's sophomore effort would be one of those findings that contained at least some amount of magic.
Right from the bat, the album reveals its most important merit, which is putting you in a contemplative mood. I can't say if it's a matter of frequency, but
The Candlelight Tomes has the same effect as those meditation videos, which makes it a perfect companion for reading or relaxing. Additionally, it would make a perfect soundtrack for a medieval RPG, as it easily transports the listener to another dimension; every track feels like visiting a different place. The mood is constantly melancholic and somber, but it never becomes gloomy or too dark. Some may feel that some variation is needed, but part of the charm on here is its consistent atmosphere.
Overall,
The Candlelight Tomes is easily one of the strongest neoclassical dungeon synth releases of the year; a rare case where the album art matches the quality of the music, and a majestic offering that can make your mind wander.
