Born from the fringes of the black metal scene in the 1990s, dungeon synth has not only returned but exploded, in recent years, with a legion of new musicians picking up the torch. A new book due, Dark Dungeon Music, chronicles this journey, offering a comprehensive exploration of the genre’s origins, key figures and enduring appeal.
Written by Jordan Whiteman, founder of the celebrated dungeon synth record label Ancient Meadow Records, edited and designed by Dayal Patterson (known for his work on Black Metal: Evolution of the Cult among others), this exhaustive hardback delves deep into the history and evolution of the curious and mystical genre that is dungeon synth. It will include interviews with bands and figures that shaped the genre including Mortiis, Cerunnos Woods, Equitant, Erang, The Dark Funeral, Depressive Silence, Old Tower, Moonworshipper Records and David Thiérrée (who provides the exclusive cover illustration) the 200,000 words book will be 400 large pages long and contain 500 images, not least a 32-page gloss/colour photo section.
Whiteman, said: “For years, I have dreamed of delivering this book. It has consumed my life for the past few years and it’s such a relief to finally get this out there. Dayal and Cult Never Dies put so much work into this book, and just as much faith into me throughout the process. This is definitely a book for dungeon synth fans, but I hope it can also become a glimpse into this storied and fascinating genre for music fans who are unfamiliar with it. There’s a ton in this book, and even more that had to be omitted. Maybe that will surface someday, but as it is, there’s a lot of history, trivia, thoughts on ethos, surveys of cool artefacts and relics, and interviews with the biggest and oldest names in the genre, plus hundreds of photos.”
Patterson, the book’s editor and designer, Cult Never Dies founder and longtime music journalist, said: “One of the main reasons that Cult Never Dies exists is to enable the most enthusiastic and knowledgeable writers in underground music to create these huge books that go beyond the scope websites and magazines can provide. Jordan is totally dedicated to this music and completely versed in its history and though the book was one of the most intense to create, requiring many a late night collaborating, it is a definitive tome that caters both to diehard devotees and curious newcomers to this absolutely unique genre and movement.”
Dark Dungeon Music will be published in early 2025. It is available now to pre-order via Cult Never Dies and select stores.
