What is DUNGEON SYNTH?

This time we are exploring the most obscure genre besides Black Metal. Some say it is obscure because it origins come from devilish music. But for true fans it is one of the most beautiful genres of music. What is Dungeon Synth/Dark Medieval/Dark Ambient? Let's Find Out!
Recommendation albums i mentioned:
Ontrothon: • Ontrothon, Saga of the...
Vale Minstrel: • Vale Minstrel - Warden...
Fief: • Fief - II (2016) (Dung...
Tir: • Tir - Urd, Skuld & Ve...
Check my other videos:
How to record DUNGEON SYNTH with the minimal Gear?: • How to record DUNGEON ...
What is Pagan Black Metal? : • What is Pagan Black Me...
How to build a Black Metal Home Studio for $666: • How to build a Black M...
When Blacker creates a Dubstep song: • When Blacker creates a...
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#DungeonSynth #DarkAmbient #DarkMedieval

[@aymanlafaz]

everybody is asking what is dungeon synth but no one is asking how is dungeon synth **sad synth chords**

[@olegdepapa]

Dungeon synth is like the intro and outro instrumental tracks on black metal albums

[@gorion79]

I can see that. Was recently listening to Bathory for the first time.

[@roberth4395]

@@gorion79 except it's a 15 minute long intro/outro

[@thunders2393]

Stay away from Metal

[@brentblodgett716]

you too @@thunders2393

[@karlbjerke133]

@@thunders2393why

[@balin411]

Dungeon Synth is a genre with such an huge veriety of themes, often fantasy. Even with such limitations it's hard to find a release that doesn't sound unique

[@worbalism]

I was just about to send you this video lol

[@balin411]

@@worbalism haha nice to see you around here😁

[@TheLeon991]

Example: Old-School Dungeon Synth, Dino Synth, Neanderthal Ambient, Winter Synth, Tolkien Inspired Ambient, Berlin School, Horror Synth, Lo-Fi Dungeon Synth, etc.

[@yaelm8660]

@@TheLeon991 dont forget Comfy Synth

[@zendruidmusic]

Also newer sub-styles: Adventure Synth, Battle Synth, Doom Synth, Dungeon Noise Wall

[@davemartin5096]

Wouldn't Burzum have been a pioneer as well? His Dungeon Synth/Ambient/Post prison albums?

[@zimorog]

skipped him on this one on purpose

[@RasuS]

Jim Kirkwood?

[@lordovwitchcraft1665]

Burzum had Dungeon Synth aswell

[@MaaZeus]

This kind of music reminds me so much of video game music of '90s, during the time when music was still used midi files. You could very much take this song you recorded and put it in The Settlers and it would not sound out of place.

[@thepokemontrainer6094]

Good times man good times I love those rpg games

[@DroomSpook]

Chrono Trigger, anyone? Also, I just released a horror movie soundtrack that is very dungeon synth-inspired, if anyone would like to check it out: droomspook.bandcamp.com/album/invisible-rooms-soundtrack

[@thepokemontrainer6094]

@@DroomSpook the album sounds amazing thanks for the information not too disturbing or dark, it sounds like something you would put a post apocalyptic environment

[@DroomSpook]

@@thepokemontrainer6094 thanks for listening! My album “Fractured Landscapes” is exactly that: post-apocalyptic landscape soundtrack. It’s also more post-rock and weird. droomspook.bandcamp.com/album/fractured-landscapes

[@inisii2]

Kings Field VI's ost is like primo Dungeon Synth in some tracks, i love it

[@f_c_r_]

Nice work with the song at the end. A bunch of my friends told me I had to check this video out and I'm honestly surprised it took this long to show up on my recommended considering my channel's content 😅

[@serhiiderkach8126]

your channel is great!

[@hadeseye2297]

Dungeon synth is what I've played in the background, when I was running Warhammer Fantasy Role Play game sessions in the 90's. Crypt of the Wizard.

[@popopopoqwerty]

Yes, dungeon synth is truly and enjoyable genre. Btw, can Varg's works be considered? 97's Daudi Baldrs or his recent works sound pretty dope.

[@BlackOrc1988]

Daudi Baldrs IS a dungeon synth in its completeness, minimalistic and true :))

[@shanehall1387]

People in the dungeon synth scene, which would not include the person who made this video, consider varg every bit the joke everyone else should

[@TheLeon991]

@@shanehall1387 I'm very uninformed apparently. Could you explain that a little more?

[@TickleBombMusic]

@@TheLeon991 DS is not as friendly to NS weirdos like Varg as the BM community is

[@arsentoplak2635]

@TickleBombMusic @Shane Hall so you two clowns speak for the "scene" right? The so called norwegian black metal/second wave (which includes this frivolous fart of a genre which originally served simply as an atmospheric intro before real metal) spawned out of anti-christian, far right and nationalistic ideas concerned with patriotic feelings toward Norway and had no connection with WW2 Third Reich ideology. You see, in the early 90's, while your beloved long-nosed comedian Mortiis was taking photos next to a man that just killed a gay person because "he wanted to know how it feels...", Burzum was the shit. Euronymous would play the fucking album non-stop in the shop. At that time (we are talking March 92'), no fucking soul in black metal made anything remotely similar to "Dungeons of Darkness" and "Chanelling the Power of Souls...", but our young, naive and oh-so talentless Håvard had an idea; since he isn't actually capable of playing a proper instrument and is about to be kicked out of the band because he doesn't have the balls to burn down a church (true story), he will rip that style and combine it with his beloved D&D DOS games or whatever shit he played in his parents basement, and make a complete fucking project or 4 around it. Brilliant eh? And there we go, the birth of a completely unnecessary "genre", uniting mace-wielding dorks since 1993. Now go back to your gaming keyboards and make some dungeon synth instead of speaking for other people.

[@denizyasar7431]

Was listening some dungeon synth stuff for a while but did not know much about the genre itself. Thanks for content!

[@metalkastslv]

Dude, you have to write that black metal NBA song, that would be hilarious :D

[@canticlesfromthecatacombs7856]

The name of the band: Mânút Ből

[@ritualdeathmetal]

Zimorog - Michael Jordan In A Forest (Full EP)

[@toybarons]

Really liked your song. Thanks for explaining Dungeon Synth. I just discovered this music tonight and I really like it.

[@sinisavuco7931]

That song was fucking epic friend! Loved the layers, melodies and how fluid everything mixes!

[@ivayloivanov4735]

Whoa! the that song you made actually reminded me of the Shire theme - it's warm and comfy and homely and nostalgic and I love it!

[@S4B3R117]

you could even do a niche dungeon synth subgenre: comfy synth! Themes include: fond memories of grandma, nostalgia, small animals, pillow forts

[@kaibarrera9911]

I feel like this wouldn't be a subgenre of dungeon synth but more of a subgenre of electronic music. Just as dungeon synth is

[@chikhaouinadhir788]

I'm from Tunisia north Africa and i'm new to this this genre and as someone in the recent years start mostly listening to instrumental chill ambient music i stumbled upon an album calls "Mountain Realm - Grayshadow Ruins" and the first piece is it called "Temple Halls" reminded me of old RPG, CRPG OST music ,And it became my favorite piece of the album, probably in the whole genre to be honest to this day ,and the art cover of the album it's just 10/10 . and that led me to seek and search more of this genre like an adventurer exploring a dungeon seeking the rare and potentially legendary items hidden deep forgotten and sealed away for it to be only claimed by the worthy.

[@neildmonte8786]

Jim Kirkwood, predates Burzum and Mortiis slightly and is pretty close to dungeon synth

[@bluewinter6660]

great video man, didnt know some of these, will check them out!

[@Snubbson24]

You should make a whole project, that sound really nice!

[@omnikosm8472]

that was a good piece , loved it !

[@JGerFuentes]

Hey, loved your song man! Really nice and trve! Got to check out the bands you recommend. Greetings from Argentina!

[@kawaiirobotshark]

been awaiting this video for some time. happy that this day has come.

[@ringonoyamano3288]

You made a really beautiful piece man, so calming and breathtaking, like the fresh morning wind. It kinda reminds me of "Earth" by Susumu Hirasawa. If you did an entire album of just Dungeon Synth tracks I would totally listen to it a million times whenever I want to chill, even to sleep.

[@zimorog]

thank you for your kind words :)

[@VARELA2nd]

​@@zimorog Your dungeon synth single is not on your Zimorog bandcamp but will it be? It was very soothing!

[@zimorog]

@@VARELA2nd It is on my album called "Russian Chess"

[@dismalfist]

Very useful video. Just discovering the genre, handy to have a historical reference!

[@bulletbelt97]

woah I’m in a Sablast video!

[@outfoxies]

your ds song sounds like the town theme to a forgotten pc rpg, I love it

[@barbarianblood2316]

Grausamkeit - Gotterkreig/Within the abyss. Like Dungeon Synth but done with real instruments. It’s medieval and black metal and punk in a way. Peep it out. It’s good.

[@Dusterwald666]

B.S.o.D is awesome

[@Baltimore_Hood_Vines_2014]

Tbh comparing anything to grausamkeit is cheating considering how fucking good grausamkeit and B.S.o.D's other projects are. It's my favorite band ever.

[@barbarianblood2316]

@@Baltimore_Hood_Vines_2014 True. Have you listened to anything by Old Nick? As someone who enjoys B.S.o.D’s work, you may like it as much as I do. Cheers my friend🤘🐐🤘

[@Baltimore_Hood_Vines_2014]

@@barbarianblood2316 I'll check it out later, but mostly I don't listen to dungeon synth except grausamkeit, when it comes to black metal I mainly like war metal and raw black metal, so I'm not fully sure if I'll like it, but thanks for suggesting.

[@barbarianblood2316]

@@Baltimore_Hood_Vines_2014 me too, it’s actually raw BM with some synth for good measure. I’m not easily impressed but this shit is great. Forrest of grief is a great album. It’s fast , melodic, raw...I wouldn’t push it if it wasn’t perfect. “Inbred Monarch” has everything I look for in BM.

[@caim3465]

Thanks for the good vid, dungeon synth is one of those genres that should get more credit.

[@broncoxy]

Minas Morgul was one of my first BM experiences of mine and still my favorite BM album; for me, it has the spirit of the old dark fantasy games of the late 90s and early 00s, in my case especially Gothic 1 and 2... Even though my discovery of BM is years apart from my experiences with said games, it instantly reminded me of it and it instantly intrigued me. It's dark, but beautiful, sounding modern and spacey, but still medieval and fantasy-like, the sounds are clean and electric, but still raw and simple in a way... I just love it.

[@BlackOrc1988]

Great DS song Sablast! Gifted man is talented in everything

[@zimorog]

i'm flattered :p thanks!

[@riccardoranieri971]

Nice video and the song actually sounds great

[@zimorog]

thanks!

[@dr.armageddon4483]

That song you made is great!!!

[@Ammeo]

Nice video. very informative

[@karlomorf2151]

The first band I heard that would fit into dungeon synth was Die Verbannten Kinder Evas, side project from Protector (Summoning)

[@Hamurator]

Wasn't that with vocals? What I can remember I would put them rather into Neoclassical or Dark Wave.

[@quorthonsinferno5119]

*Varg has joined the chat*

[@goatsquat5863]

I'd never heard of it...cheers mate!

[@freitanaas]

Hey there Sablast! :D great song! I'm getting into the synth world, and I'd like to asked you, what plugins did you use with the akai? I'm searching for some nice sounds to use with my midi keyboard, and really enjoyed what you used here! Cheers!

[@zimorog]

only vst i used is sonatina orchestra :) and a bit of reverb as an effect

[@JafarQasim]

Thank you for the informative video. Would you kindly, advice if it is possible to make Dungeon Synth using Teenage Engineering OP-1 Flat?

[@gsocias]

your synth song is really beautiful.

[@KeytarKris]

Lovely synth 🎹🤟

[@jacekkolbermusic]

nice to see cool dude who tells about music with so much fascination and distance at the same time. Greetings from Poland - land of onion, beer and metal music \m/ hail \m/

[@JuanPablo88-]

Great song my friend.

[@zimorog]

thank you!

[@Erykfib]

There's guy. Stefano Micheli AKA Gollum's suffering. He makes some nice dungeon synth and is very underground

[@gavinhumphries5505]

Please do more dungeon synth videos!

[@zimorog]

i'll try :)

[@cavesandcaverns]

I would love to get your opinion on my Dungeon Synth music. I love the variety of sounds you can find within the genre.

[@zimorog]

Sure

[@pipino1313]

hey nice track you did there, not bad at all

[@arth_steps]

Theres also a Summoning side project called Mirkwood, very cool

[@zimorog]

i wanted to include that and pazuzu but it would be too much :P

[@miroslavbula]

I am trying to find these drums as vst. Any hints/tips? :-)

[@marceldequeker6696]

great song, man

[@adrianmartinez-lq5he]

the keyboard ambient electrónic part of black metal people will say is not trve use electrónics but deatcrush ep from Mayhem say other thing Great vídeo

[@awesomereviews1561]

Your song is pretty cool 👍

[@GryfusSacraMors]

Falkenbach - ASA. This is a good example LP with great music.

[@leewightman8619]

I might make a dungeon synth album as I'm pretty good at evil sad emotional stuff ..I make hip-hop beats but want to something different i think my Yamaha DJ x would be perfect for dungeon synth and it has 6 track recorder and lots of good effects and has a sampler on it what would be good for blood curdling screams ect

[@EpicTiaztime]

great video! what plug in do you use with the midi keyboard?

[@zimorog]

thanks! i use sonatina orchestra

[@EpicTiaztime]

@@zimorog ty, i buy the akai mini some weeks ago and and I want to try to record some dungeon synth

[@v1j7k]

Mortiisablast :)

[@lavalevel69]

Awesome...I dabble a little...I think no genre is the best genre

[@pipino1313]

yo, do an neo-folk / dark-folk video next

[@blackmetalmajesty9756]

Dies Irae! Thank you!

[@Liedton]

Try out B.S.o.D of Grausamkeit with the Stardust tape

[@timothymckane6362]

If you could make a dungeon synth project, what would you name it and why?

[@zimorog]

didn't really think about that one :p

[@sanakassara]

I feel like the influnce of DOS based, and later developed PC/console RPG game soundtracks was totally dismissed in this explenation. Even the bands from the later 2000 period seem heavily depend on the soundscapes familiar from games like Oblivion, Morrowind, Diablo etc. Listening bands Like Old Sorcery, Moth Tower with older projects like Jim Kirkwood - Master of Dragons and for example artists like Hedge Wizard with Secret Stairways is occasionally like listening sound samples straight from the previously mentioned games. Even the genre name Dungeon Synth fits perfectly to the gamer lingo word Dungeon, "Dungeon is a hostile Closed-Off Area within which a player will encounter enemies. DUNGEONs are usually found in enclosed areas, such as castles, fortresses, or caves". Countless ammount of album covers are themed after the same themes, and after battles fought in those places. And even the Wikipedia article about the genre acknowledges the same thing.

[@skookathing]

dungeon synth is cool and epic and awesome and cool

[@Svasprod]

Dungeon Synth is just 80's movie soundtrack

[@lukabotica7984]

Dobra DS stvar!

[@clarencedudley1494]

Cool!! But when are you gonna do one on What is Post Black Metal??? Huh?? Huh??

[@zimorog]

one day :)

[@rjwkkel9448]

Dude I highly suggesting you to listen gonfanon It's dark ambient but very, very, very ,very RAW IT'S Not What you have heard before I promise 😈

[@zimorog]

thanks for the recommendation! will do

[@ultramagnus5898]

Mortiis 🔥👍🏻

[@fearsomefraulein6666]

🤘💕🤘

[@Snowblinded]

What VSTs did you use?

[@zimorog]

sonatina orchestra

[@GryfusSacraMors]

@@zimorog Thanks... I'm actually downloading a 'bunch' of VST's...and it's to do exactly what you showed (very well). Obrigado!

[@ArkhanNightman]

tis pretty good

[@RocknRoll3837]

Neptune Towers fuckin rules

[@artyomkurakin3393]

Good song.

[@OlafKnolaf]

Eisenwinter - Tyrannendunkel 1996

[@Janopooh]

Summoning

[@Sxcheschka]

I'd pay money for that song.

[@Tysandifer]

Modern recommendations

[@Beastlango]

What about the Burzum synth albums?

[@zimorog]

i decided to skip him on this one

[@Beastlango]

@@zimorog that is reasonable 👍🏻

[@Renamoose]

@@zimorog Sad Burzum noises

[@Despondencymusic]

Dungeon Synth is the most perfect genre.

[@AnderzaGuitar]

What VST's do you use?

[@zimorog]

sonatina orchestra

[@AnderzaGuitar]

@@zimorog Also what DAW are you using?

[@zimorog]

@@AnderzaGuitar reaper

[@thepokemontrainer6094]

What’s the name of the song you made?

[@zimorog]

still doesn't have a name. and i can't find your comment bout fief II. I actually mentioned them in the video

[@thepokemontrainer6094]

@@zimorog yeah I deleted it because I thought you didn’t know what it was until I saw the other recommendations

[@thepokemontrainer6094]

@@zimorog By the way the reason why i love dungeon synth is because im not a fan of black metal however i do love video game tracks and for some odd reason Dungeon Synth sounds like an old ps1 or n64 or pc rpg soundtrack such as Zelda oot, any of the 3d final fantasy games, and when your listening to the dark medieval music it sounds like those old pc rpg games that have this fantasy medieval name like baldurs gate or gauntlet or it sounds like one of those old pc point and click pc games.

[@joansenmunsberg2908]

Burzum made dungeon synth also

[@thepokemontrainer6094]

This is something I’ve been wanting to talk about for a very long time but unfortunately I couldn’t talk about it because this sub genre is extremely underrated. The only reasons I got addicted to this genre is because I’m a huge fan of soundtracks however I’m sorry for those metal lovers but I hate any type of metal that has this insane screaming and horrific noises because it makes me feel uncomfortable. I love ambient music however I’m also one of those people who loves album artwork and seeing this awesome medieval fantasy the hearing this uncomfortable guitar is just makes me want to skip that album and go look for another one. The instrumental ones that aren’t insane like Fief, Rog, and many other artists are my favorite now this is where I explain why I’m here if I hate uncomfortable. I’m a writer and I love listening to music that makes the experience so much better however those instrumental medieval or those awesome dark albums I use them for thinking of new ideas especially scenes. There are different types of music for thinking but nothing has helped me think of new ideas as dungeon synth or should I call it fantasy synth. I’m starting to think that the instrumental ones have popularity than the metal ones because anyone can create metal music but doing something like the instrument music I was talking about not many people could make such amazing tracks that you really don’t hear often in any soundtrack. This is only my opinion on why I like different types of dungeon synth I’m just not a fan of uncomfortable metal it just isn’t my thing I like dark music but I like it when it’s intense and awesome not uncomfortable.

[@CarolynDestruction]

Has anyone made a song about Michael Jordan in the forest yet? Lets make it happen

[@clarencedudley1494]

Can you plug a keys into a DAW?? You have to know how to play keys right??

[@zimorog]

you can. i recorded keys directly in daw on my album winter horns

[@erixouther]

[@badboybootz8]

Burzum

[@souvikdas3636]

Bro why did you skip burzum? :P

[@zimorog]

Because i stared to be boring with it. Did mention him in my new DS vid

[@souvikdas3636]

@@zimorog would watch it bro, thanks :)

[@rb3166]

MortEESS.

[@blackenedpower7902]

Sablast, ovo zvuči odlično, ali kao da mi daje vajb medieval muzike, ako znaš na šta mislim

[@blackenedpower7902]

Btw, moraš napravit dungeon synth one man bend 😉

[@zimorog]

možda jednom :p

[@luciferiandread2709]

No homo bro but I love you

[@zimorog]

i love you too! no homo

[@078theo]

Its like two Knights getting married hahahahaha

[@harpreetminhas6945]

fyi: you're supposed to listen to dungeon synth on speakers.

[@harpreetminhas6945]

I also have a theory that your USB breaks if you transfer certain songs to protect the metal health of people.

[@slaviboj_havran]

See ya? Or szia?🤔😂

[@Tysandifer]

19... 93 not 90.. 93, or 9 93

[@no_name1107]

Burzum Forever! Hail Varg!

[@roscoe6937]

Mortus was the only synth album I could tolerate

[@Cineastre]

Mortiis*

[@roscoe6937]

@@Cineastre whatever you know who I mean.lol

[@Cineastre]

@@roscoe6937 Sure mate. I was just saying ;) But if you like Mortiis there should be much stuff you enjoy as well!

[@roscoe6937]

@@Cineastre I haven't really listened to much synth stuff since his first album back in the '90s. It's just been straight black metal for me. I recently joined a group that has a lot of decent stuff on it that I've been meaning to check out.

[@damiandassen7763]

666th like

[@shadadalshad2574]

This genre is like relaxing asian music with keyboards and dark album covers

[@anthonydavila6843]

Everyone check heroin makes me happy

[@qwertyqwerANZU]

Давай по-русски теперь) я по акценту вижу, ты наш)