Dungeon metal
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| Dungeon metal | |
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| Cultural origins | Mid to late 2010s, United States |
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Dungeon metal is an underground subgenre of heavy metal music that emerged in the early 2010s. Known for its distinctive blend of dungeon synth and extreme metal, the subgenre is defined by fantasy-inspired lyrics, dark and epic atmospheres, and a strong emphasis on storytelling. Dungeon metal draws inspiration from various sources, including vintage fantasy literature, role-playing games, horror, and mythology, creating a unique brand of extreme fantasy metal.
Characteristics[edit]
Dungeon metal is characterized by several distinct elements:
1. Epic lyrics[edit]
Dungeon metal lyrics are often filled with tales of heroic quests, mythical creatures, ancient battles, magical realms, and fantastic horrors. These narratives are central to the subgenre, inviting listeners to escape into a dark world of adventure, horror and fantasy.
2. Synths and experimental influences[edit]
Dungeon metal is experimental in nature and is defined by its use of dungeon synth (a related subgenre known for its atmospheric and ambient synth compositions) and synth interludes. It typically incorporates elements of other genres like punk rock, martial industrial, and a wide variety of extreme metal subgenres including thrash metal, black metal, doom metal, traditional heavy metal, and death metal, among others.
3. Thematic imagery[edit]
Album covers, stage props, and band merchandise frequently feature artwork and symbols inspired by fantasy literature and mythology. This imagery is often combined with darker themes that are commonly associated with extreme metal subgenres (for example, death and the occult). These visual aspects are integral to the overall experience of dungeon metal.
4. Influences from fantasy literature and RPGs[edit]
Dungeon metal often draws inspiration from role playing games like Dungeons & Dragons and iconic RPG video games like Final Fantasy, Dungeon Master, and Wizardry, among others. Classic fantasy literature, including the works of authors like J.R.R. Tolkien, Robert E. Howard, and Michael Moorcock and popular animated television series' like Castlevania and also play a significant role in shaping the subgenre's themes.
5. Embracing 1970s and 1980s subcultures[edit]
Dungeon metal bands often venture deep into the cultural tapestry of the 1970s and 1980s, drawing inspiration from the foundational subcultures of heavy metal and punk. These formative influences play a pivotal role in shaping the distinct identity of the dungeon metal genre. Dungeon metal artists also derive creative inspiration from the early stages of role-playing games (RPGs) and take visual and musical cues from vintage fantasy and horror-themed video games and television shows.
Bands and subgenres[edit]
Cultic[edit]
Based in Yoe, Pennsylvania, Cultic is an extreme metal band that formed in early 2016. They adopted the term "dungeon metal" to describe their music which draws influence from early death-doom, first-wave black metal, and punk rock, interwoven with dungeon synth interludes and dark fantasy themes.[1]. The band emphasizes the importance of DIY efforts, including writing and self-recording their music, producing and editing videos, painting their own album artwork, and designing their merch.
Skullovich[edit]
Emerging from the dungeons of Philadelphia, Skullovich, brings their blend of heavy/thrash metal to the dungeon metal genre. The band officially took shape in 2019. They embraced the term "dungeon metal" to describe their music which combines the core themes of Power, Speed, and Death. Skullovich infuses classic video game soundtracks (including those from Castlevania and Megaman) into their music, creating an amalgamation of aggression and melody[2].
Morgul Blade[edit]
Located in the city of Philadelphia, Morgul Blade was formed in 2019 and draw their inspiration from the world of The Lord of the Rings. Their music bridges the realms of traditional heavy metal and black metal, offering dark, crushing riffs accompanied by both brooding baritone and harsh vocals. The band doesn't distinctly refer to themselves as "dungeon metal," but their music fits all of the characterstics of the genre[3]
Electrocutioner[edit]
While primarily a thrash metal band, Electrocutioner flirts with dungeon metal featuring a series of dungeon synth interludes reminiscent of fantasy and horror films. The band describes their music as "Inspired by being trapped in an impossible dungeon crawl for all of eternity."[4] Electrocutioner hails from Long Island, New York and began making waves in the dungeon metal scene with the release of their first E.P. in early 2022.[5]
Wizards[edit]
Hailing from Russia, the duo known as Wizards showcases their dungeon metal through a single demo released in mid 2022 that encompasses a wide array of musical influences. Starting with ominous ambiance reminiscent of classic 90s dungeon synth, their music segues into a gothic edge and ultimately embraces a fusion of genres, including speed metal, black metal, and psychedelia. Their sound evokes the atmosphere of an 80s fantasy film, each section akin to a scene transition, taking you through dialogues with the evil villain, action sequences, and explorations of the fantastical world depicted in the movie.[6]
Bladespell[edit]
Bladespell's demo released in late 2023, pushes the boundaries of dungeon metal by combining dungeon synth with death metal vocals. This unconventional blend departs from the typical black metal vocal style of many dungeon metal and dungeon synth bands.[7]
Popularity and influence[edit]
Dungeon metal has recently gained a dedicated underground following, particularly among fans of fantasy literature, tabletop role-playing games, and the broader heavy metal community (especially those with interests in more experimental forms of metal). The subgenre's immersive and escapist qualities continue to cement it as a staple in the realm of extreme music. As dungeon metal remains a dynamic and evolving subgenre, it will likely continue to spawn new substyles and innovative bands.
References[edit]
- ↑ "Cultic | Biography | Dark Dungeon Metal Band from Yoe, PA". Cultic. Retrieved 2023-10-17.
- ↑ "Interview with SKULLOVICH - FILTHY DOGS OF METAL". FILTHY DOGS OF METAL. Retrieved 2023-10-17.
- ↑ nattskog (2022-03-28). "INTERVIEW: Morgul Blade". NATTSKOG'S BLOG. Retrieved 2023-10-17.
- ↑ "Escape From the Catacombs (EP), by Electrocutioner". Electrocutioner. Retrieved 2023-10-17.
- ↑ ukthrashers (2023-10-09). "Review – Electrocutioner – False Idols". #ukthrashers. Retrieved 2023-10-17.
- ↑ "Тайный Мрак Грядущих Дней/The Secret Gloom of Days to Come (demo 2022), by Wizards". Wizards. Retrieved 2023-10-17.
- ↑ "Bladespell, by Bladespell". Bladespell. Retrieved 2023-10-17.
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