"The Legacy of Hogwarts" (2023) is dark and atmospheric - like any good dungeon synth album should be. The lo-fi synth sample choices enhance the gloomy, mysterious ambience and emulate that 90's dungeon synth cassette feel.
Taking inspiration from the Harry Potter franchise, the overall mood of the album is set with the almost dreamy opening track "Nine and Three-Quarters" - a perfect start for the journey that the listener is about to take. The album takes a turn to the darker side with "Within the Forbidden Forest", which has an ominous undertone. The dissonant waterphone and windchime samples contrast with the melodic content of the track, creating an eerie feeling like someone is watching you.
Things take an even creepier turn with "Open the Chamber of Secrets", which amps up the evil ambience by bringing in serpentine, whispered vocals - something you could expect from a black metal song. "Names Arise From the Goblet of Fire" offers a nice break after the intensity of the previous track - the crackle of the fire is both soothing and warming. The next few tracks keep up this calmer atmosphere, with "Fortius Quo Fidelius" bringing in some choir-like male singing. This addition of different elements throughout the album keeps it fresh and interesting.
"Every Flavour In the World" is an other standout track. The short yet poignant jingle is jocular in tone, but still fits the overall atmopshere. The track is perfectly placed in the middle of the album, reminding the listener that it is always calm before the storm - which in this case, comes in the form of sinister laughter in "Sentenced to Azkaban". After the storm has cleared off, the album also becomes brighter and less ominous in tone - best demonstrated by the festive"A Few Pints of Butterbeer".
The album closes with the title track, which is an amazing piece of atmospheric synth music, wrapping up the journey that the album took the listener on. Clocking in at around 30 minutes, the album is the perfect legnth for this kind of music. Offering enough variation and interesting exploration, Dumbledore Enigmas has managed to create something truly special for both dungeon synth and Harry Potter fans alike.
Rating: 4.5/5
Get "The Legacy of Hogwarts" here:
Bandcamp:
https://savo-karelianproductions.bandcamp.com/album/the-legacy-of-hogwarts
-Spider
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