Hailing from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ilur brings flavor to the dungeon synth genre with their album "Devlet", released in June of 2023. By weaving together elements of avant-garde experimentation with traditional lo-fi synths, the album showcases a balance between the familiar and the unexpected.
The opening track, "Do vrha planine (idem)," sets a serene and immersive tone for the album. With its lush pads, gentle nature ambience, and free-form lo-fi synth melodies, the song transports the listener into a realm that is both natural and otherworldly. This avant-garde introduction piques curiosity and serves as an intriguing prelude to what lies ahead.
Moving further into the album, "Tmina se spušta na put usamljen" embraces the traditional dungeon synth sound. Despite its repetitive patterns, the song manages to captivate by skillfully layering old-school synths and introducing subtle changes that maintain a sense of storytelling.
"U bari mjesec pleše," the third track, reintroduces the natural aesthetic while again embracing the more avant-garde arrangement. The melodies here are free-form, almost whimsical, and even exhibit elements reminiscent of jazz fusion. This combination of styles adds a certain twist to the dungeon synth experience. It may not be for everyone, but it at least tries to do something unique.
In "Barska kornjača I obred drevni," a more percussive approach is introduced. Gritty droning noise lingers in the background, generating an aura of mystery and anticipation. The track concludes with pure crackling noise, transitioning into "U tajnoj sumi, sa vrha planine nazire se Devlet." Ethereal choirs and melodic elements make a powerful entrance, contrasting with the preceding track. The reverberated sounds and church-like atmosphere create a sense of grandeur - painting with a broader brush, so to speak.
The sixth track, "Zidine, kapija I ulazak u carstvo," stands out with its distinct groove, propelled by a tambourine and timpani beat. The combination of strings and flute-like synths lends the song a medieval ambiance, immersing the listener in a bygone era.
"(Bitka za) Devlet," the seventh track, offers a brief yet intense experience. Building upon the strong percussion motif, the song amplifies the energy further. The track concludes rather abruptly - a bit more breathing room would have enhanced its impact. However, Ilur quickly rebounds in the following track, "Damaklov mač ." Here, the percussive drive remains, but the atmosphere is dialed down slightly, introducing more ambient tones. The contrast between mellow synths and bombastic percussion is especially effective.
"Pogled sa zidina na kristalni sjaj grada slobodnog od zle cari," the ninth track, offers a refreshing change with its bright and crisp sound. Bouncy synths inject a delightful playfulness into the album, adding a welcome variation to the overall experience.
Closing the album is "Osvrtanje na putovanje usamljeno," a return to the slower and more atmospheric soundscapes. This concluding piece elegantly brings the album full circle, concluding the journey on a fitting note.
Overall,"Devlet" might not be the most ground-breaking dungeon synth release, but it does get points for trying something different. A somewhat balanced mixture traditional dungeon synth and more free-form interpretation, this is worth a listen for fans of the genre.
Favourite track: Zidine, kapija I ulazak u carstvo
Rating: 3/5
-Spider
Tracklist:
Do vrha planine (idem) 04:42
Tmina se spušta na put usamljen 07:32
U bari mjesec pleše 02:14
Barska kornjača i obred drevni 04:34
U tajnoj šumi, sa vrha planine nazire se Devlet 03:44
Zidine,kapija i ulazak u carstvo 02:22
(Bitka za) Devlet 01:42
5 Damaklov mač (Opasnost koja uvijek prijeti) 02:52
Pogled sa zidina na kristalni sjaj grada slobodnog od zle čari 02:32
Osvrtanje na putovanje usamljeno 03:22
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