Post #6: The comforting nature of Dungeon Synth

First off, Dungeon Synth is often associated with gloom, isolation and the dark corners of the world. While many subgenres within the scene have drifted away from this approach, one constant remains the same: It is usually not created to fit expectations, but rather because of a personal need which comes from deep within one’s soul. Most Dungeon Synth projects are one-man projects, so it automatically becomes deeply personal by definition, but it goes even further than that. Both artists and fans alike are people who do not fit the standards of what society expects. Some, if not most, people thrive on the rigidness of the system, but we don’t. I won’t go so far as to proclaim we are a group of outcasts going against the establishment (even though some definitely are), but we are unconventional misfits (quirky, if you will), and there always comes a point in our lives when we partially step away from modern society because it fails to offer us something we crave something we can’t even properly explain. To this end, I believe Dungeon Synth is creative freedom personified laced with emotions. That’s not just because of the many layers put on top (this does create an emotional quality to the music), but metaphors of inner struggle are frequent within the genre. There is definitely a lot of constructive escapism involved, but it plays out in an unusual way. It is escapism which is often a reflection of the artist as a person, and who allows the listeners to have an audial glimpse of their worlds. They get caught up in their imaginative worlds, dare to dream big despite being a misfit, and allow emotions to become the driving force of the compositions. 

On a different note, Dungeon Synth is (generally speaking) not a “fast” or “energetic” music genre, which makes it excellent for people who are dealing with a lot of stress. People under stress often crave stability, even repetition, because they know it is safe. No nasty surprises will come knocking at your door. It is the certainty here that’s paramount. The repetitive nature of many Dungeon Synth compositions may induce a mantra-like experiences in much the same way as tribal or spiritual music, soothing the mind with visions of daydreams and perhaps even meditation. I know there are many Dungeon Synth artists who specialize in a more “harsh”, "primitive" or “up-beat” sound, but I’m ruling those out for the purposes of this argument.

Lastly, there’s the manner how Dungeon Synth is often released. The internet has helped the scene boom like never before. In a world which is becoming more digital with each passing day, Dungeon Synth stays true to so-called old school media. I’m not big on materialism, but the ability to have something tangible matters to us from a psychological level (take a look at the current state of the gaming industry and the point will become clear). Each physical release is a creative gift with a lot of emotional weight attached to it, a labor of love presented to those who are willing to share in the experience. Some artists even go the extra mile with their physical releases, offering wooden boxes, goodies, notes, and special editions. My inner cynic says that’s part of a business model playing heavily on FOMO, but my emotional side applauds such authenticity. There is really no pressure to do this, but the philosophy behind Dungeon Synth definitely facilitates this.

Dungeon Synth soothes my weary heart. When the day is long and hope seems to slip away from grasp, I turn to Dungeon Synth. What are your thoughts on the matter? Has Dungeon Synth the same effect on you?

Until next time!