Review Summary: Out of the dungeons and into the light…
It’s been said that one of the problems with the music industry nowadays is the high availability of information. Having the luxury to select through an abundance of free material has its merits, but at the same time how does it affect the lifetime value of an album? And eventually, to what point does it limit the emotional attachment to the music itself? It might feel somewhat ambiguous but availability is indeed a double edged knife. Even though it’s up to each individual to select how to approach art, having so much eventually increases the odds of succumbing to the temptation to click on the next album without trying to actually listen to the current one.
Dungeon synth, as a genre, is the exact opposite of too much. The ability to create an influential piece of art with just a keyboard isn’t only a challenge from the artist’s side but needs work from the listener. Depressive Silence’s
Demo III, is one of the most rewarding albums I’ve had the pleasure to experience lately. When given the proper amount of attention, it can transport the listener to various places depending on one’s imagination.
The LP consists of five long compositions which aim to evoke a number of feelings. Album opener “Forest of Eternity” is a very representative sample of the whole; having a sense of specific direction and with some tempo changes, might elicit images of a deity floating like the mist among the logs of ancient trees in a dark forest. Depressive Silence seems to separate themselves from a number of dungeon synth acts by fusing their work with variety. There’s a clear distinction of melodies and emotions throughout and this variety of sounds provides a feeling of grandeur at times. Moreover, great work has been done in communicating effectively the aforementioned diversity. The lush arrangement and use of strings on “Depths of the Oceans” provides a sense of beauty, calmness, and purity, while the sound of trickling water evokes images of a rivulet that heads towards the sea.
However,
Demo III is not all about uplifting melodies. “Atmosphere” is a bit more gloomy and eerie than the tracks that preceded it as the use of organ provides a ritualistic and grandiose feeling. In addition on “Mourning”, the sound that imitates chants provides a sense of emancipation and melancholy at the same time, whereas the sound of classic piano gives “Dreams” an inner seriousness and strength.
Overall, if you allow yourself to be immersed into the music of this LP, you will find out that
Demo III is a magical, mystical and melancholic journey. Those who enjoy Mortiis’ music might discover a lot of redeeming features on here, while the variety of sounds and melodies makes it a fairly accessible listen. Therefore, don’t allow the unfortunate choice of this “band’s” name deprive you of enjoying a simpler world of adventure.
