The Ashen Codex – Sepia Realms (Sokol Keep, August 2025)
Drenched in nostalgia that harkens to ages past, this is a very straightforward release that needs no frills. The Ashen Codex is known for more orchestral and cinematic arrangements, but diverts from that focus as much with this album, opting for a more dark dungeon sound. Low key tones topped with bells and chimes and plucked strings. Venture forth at your own peril!
Find it here: https://theashencodex.bandcamp.com/album/sepia-realms
Spectral Sorrow – Demo VI (Antiquity Tapes, August 2025)
Another incredible installation of dungeon ambient synth from Spectral Sorrow. The atmosphere gives off strong ancient underground crypt vibes. Like walking through a cavern so large that no light reaches its highest points, creating a void so black that the mind plays tricks and believes it to be the night sky, but it is devoid of all moons and stars. The ethereal, ambient textures drift over this vision like a light fog, like something just out of sight dancing on the edges of your vision.
Find it here: https://spectralsorrow.bandcamp.com/album/demo-vi
Zireael – Upon Her Blade (Fiadh Productions, August 2025)
Epic and grand fantasy dungeon synth, the overall character of this album is one of high-fantasy adventure. However, true to the inspiration material of The Witcher, there are some very dark corners that can be found here. Sadness, sorrow, and loss permeate otherwise energetic and bombastic melodies. There is a lot to discover here, a lot of emotion packed into this album.
Find it here: https://arcanechapel.bandcamp.com/album/upon-her-blade
The Solar Knight – Forgiveness & Sin (August 2025)
A slow and somber raw dungeon synth album that was recorded live to an answering machine tape through a condenser mic. This draws up old memories unbidden and swells past emotions that needed a moment of reflection. The tape hiss that accompanies the dirge is so incredibly chunky, it adds to the song like another instrument of fog over the entire piece.
Find it here: https://conifmyst.bandcamp.com/album/forgiveness-sin
Dr. Grotto – Super Lagoon (June 2025)
The first impression of this album is that it is going to be wildly unserious. But throughout its quirky beats and loopy melodies, I found it to present a very wholesome and grounded set of undertones. There’s elements of fantasy synth, crypt hop, swamp, and forest synth all rolled up neatly into an album that’s perfect for both the stroll down the street or the jaunt through the wooded wetlands. With every additional listen through this, it is quickly becoming one of my favorite albums of the year.
Find it here: https://gobletgrotto.bandcamp.com/album/super-lagoon
Winding Hallways – Beneath the Seventh Deep (August 2025)
Creating the vibes of entering an ancient dwarven mining city instantaneously upon starting the album. The granduer increases in intensity, drawing on elements of fantasy and dungeon synth as well as synthwave even, giving this release a triumphant tone at times and one of deep mystery and exploration at others.
Find it here: https://windinghallways.bandcamp.com/album/beneath-the-seventh-deep-2
The Reliquary Notes Online 