Dungeon Synth Zine

13/10/2024

Heralding Dungeon Synth Zine #10: THE LORD OF THE RINGS vs WITH FIRE AND SWORD!

You can purchase DSZ #10 here: https://dungeonsynthzine.bigcartel.com

With Fire and Sword is based on a 19th century novel written by Henryk Sienkiewicz (if you’ve ever heard about the Nobel-prize-winning Quo Vadis, it’s the same guy), a Polish writer who wrote during the time when Poland was no more. (...)

Now, when it comes to similarities… Heavy spoilers ahead.

1. The action takes place during a time of historical changes and in the shadow of an upcoming war. That might not feel like something special, but bear with me.

2. Rzędzian, the servant of the protagonist, Jan Skrzetuski, shows many similarities to Sam (check out their haircuts, by the way). He accompanies Skrzetuski everywhere and shows a kind of affection that has been lost to history, as we don't understand this kind of relationship anymore. Perhaps that's why there are so many memes about Frodo and Sam being gay.

3. Skrzetuski, the protagonist, sets out on a quest as an emissary, carrying an important message to the enemy (the Cossacks) in order to defuse the war. Of course, being an emissary is not the same as being a ring-bearer, and a message is not the One Ring, and the Cossacks and Tatars are not orcs, but... Let's wait til later. (...)

The most fascinating fact I found during this research was that Tolkien was a big fan of Sienkiewicz! Wow! The probability that he read With Fire and Sword is then around 90%, as it’s at least in the top three of his best known books. (...)

05/10/2024

Heralding Dungeon Synth Zine #10: DSZ vs Erang!

https://dungeonsynthzine.bigcartel.com

One evening Erang reached out to me saying that we've already got to know each other well enough that we could try an interview again, but a different form: interviewing each other. I'm not sure if this form has ever been used (probably yes), but it was indeed something that DSZ had not seen before. So the answer was a resounding "yes!".

Erang: I'm wondering why you decided to start the Dungeon Synth Zine, why did you choose to take up the torch?

DSZ: You remember what kind of time 2020 was, and much earlier too. If you became a dungeon synth fan around this time, there just wasn't much to read. Skaventhrone was cool but rather on the short side, Mazmorra released 2 issues and faded into oblivion, Rotstock had already released 1 issue but took a long time before the 2nd one arrived. There was no way to learn much, so I made one. Besides, being a metal fan for so many years, it was kinda cool to turn from this “consumer” side of things - reading zines, listening to music, attending concerts etc. - to actually building something that other people can enjoy. If they enjoy it, that is. Plus, paper fits the genre, as simple as that. No amount of webzines can do it for me. What about you, do you enjoy the tangible side of things in dungeon synth?

I used to buy lots of CDs when I was a teen during the 90s and I still have around 600 or 700 of them in cardboard boxes. But later I completely stopped. I’m not a collector and I’m not really an “object” person. Even for my own physical release, I only keep maybe 1 or 2 items of each tape or vinyl I’ve made. Of course there are pieces I own that I love and cherish like, for instance, this Mazmorra Zine you mentioned or your DS Zines, or the painting of the Land of the Five Seasons that Jim Kirkwood made for the 10 years of Erang and stuff like that but… Let’s say that if everything burns tomorrow, I would be sad and bothered for some days but I wouldn’t be mad or devastated. I’ve realized at some point in my life that if anything radical happens in your life, then you must take it as a new starting point and build something else from there. To mourn over ashes brings nothing… Okay, I’ll be honest, it would really p**s me off to lose that beautiful painting by Jim! But still… That being said, and to reply to your question: I’ve however recently realized that it’s important to have “tangible” traces, imprints and physical memories of things that once were. Because contrary to popular belief from the early 2000s: the Internet is not eternal. Look at Myspace and all that was lost from that era for some people. So even if I’m not a collector myself, I think it’s important, from an historical point of view, that people keep tangible objects related to Dungeon Synth that could withstand the passing of time, yes… You say you’re a Metal fan and we know you’re a Dungeon Synth fan… What other kind of (non-related) music do you listen to and are you a fan of or involved in other creative activities?

01/10/2024

DSZ is happy to support the Echoes from the Dungeon Fest.

I've been considering going either to London or Amsterdam for some time, and even though the London festival is still on the plate, potentially, here I know I'll visit 100% as the tickets are already secured.

Lots of friends here and something tells me that the atmosphere will be quite laid back (it's Amsterdam, after all;)

Join us, give me&my wife a hi5, may old friends reunite, may new friendships ignite.

Nest - Atmospheric Acoustic Ambient
Jääportit
Wydraddear
Tales Under The Oak
John Lordswood
Arcana Liturgia

https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fpapaupaul-presents.weticket.com%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR0lvYYqibuuBCBmQGjsH05rBTKqhc7r_GpUy5IVmuEEu3NxGlfT_bf2eAU_aem_-bmUDNvNJNsx6l7ctCh2bw&h=AT0J_-b3ML4e-u4_W8zBenTWPWK0eYGbnAArhDUgCv-ou1hWghw6SsdKs3XB_jXXctWLqi-4kYVjQb9C0XSnWQmcQTCJ86eWAL2lIgyGNSyn4hNBhF5ouaWq4GO4GN2JX5Dp0nnEeTtQqVU8Z-ZxLQ&__tn__=R]-R&c[0]=AT3ib1eXVOmWyhCFmvyjFWlQ7x_A4do5Fj_M1N6H0eI-0FzAV0RFL_wi-k9mcIqEWxuJ80erMmsy7MGVawHJpvdQmOYCamVCaHm5gZ57oIAnauJIj6BFBqEaaOpFpaxVfmWwCULg1CMfcfe-QHJPEt9pZDUfyBKdb55ogID9ZjWcM_1_8xbR3cqcq3v6lF1QaYXAe-vYa4xRnIP5y6O7cEu8E8IYLHN2

Alle activiteiten van PA-PAU-PAUL presents Echoes From The Dungeon Fest

28/09/2024

I've just realized there's no DSZ #10 distro yet in the US.

If you're interested, let me know and I'll offer a nice deal.

18/09/2024

Heralding Dungeon Synth Zine #10: AINDULMEDIR!

The path up the mountain, trudging through the everlasting snow, was far from easy. You are temporarily snowblind, and your round glasses do not help but rather magnify the effect of the solar reflections that leave you barely sighted. The gate to your tower is shut, but the key in your pocket still fits. Oh, how numb your hands are from the frost, and how terribly difficult to turn this metal thing in its lock! Finally, the gate gives way and you crack it open. The inside is almost equally cold, but as you rub your hands, you manage to get the icy wood sitting next to the fireplace into its place and light it up. The fires illuminate the walls of the library, and your shadow is your only companion as it reaches for the books. Yes, it’s much more homey now. Today’s stargazing will be amazing, you think, as you stroke your beard. A smile lights up your face as the flames reflect in your round glasses. There’s no place like home...

DSZ: As one source of your inspiration, you mentioned Narnia and Moomins. What kind of feelings do they evoke in you? Why are they important? How do you weave them into the fabric of your sounds?

Aindulmedir: I read Narnia and the books about the Moomins early and the hidden world of Narnia was something that resonated with me greatly. To go beyond the threshold and discover a world of winter. And with the Moomins I found some form of first explanation to the melancholy and other things that felt overwhelming as a child. Also a bit of courage to endure my insomnia at the time as I, the Moomintroll, sat out the lonely hours while the family was asleep. I also think the playfulness of those books intrigued me. That there could be depth and sincerity in the sweet and familiar. I think, or hope, that some of that combination has found its way into some of my music. Again, that warm drowsiness in front of the fire while a bitter storm is raging outside.

Full interview was printed here: https://dungeonsynthzine.bigcartel.com/product/dungeon-synth-zine-10

16/09/2024

DSZ #8 sold out for good.

15/09/2024

The Royal tapestry from the Wawel castle, Poland, as seen today during a visit. We need more bestiary themed dungeon synth.

14/09/2024

DSZ #1, #2 and #3 sold out, this time for good. Between 3-5 copies of #4, #5 and #8 left.

01/09/2024

OPEN THE FLOODGATES!

Dungeon Synth Zine is coming to you for the one last time with its 10th edition, biggest of all.

The pinnacle of Dungeon Synth magic.

https://dungeonsynthzine.bigcartel.com

The latest issue of the biggest Dungeon Synth periodical in the world, bigger than ever! 160 pages, A5 format. Offset quality. Classic 90's black metal zine look. Interviews with the following projects:

CORVUS NEBLUS
ERANG
AINDULMEDIR
HEDGE WIZARD
ELYVILON
FOGLORD
WYDRADDEAR
TALES UNDER THE OAK
BAERDCYN
GILGARETH
AVOG
PETER BESTE

Articles:

Lord of the Rings vs With Fire and Sword - cinematic comparison
Neurodivergence among Dungeon Synth Fans
History of Fantasy in Metal Music
Test! Are you a Gatekeeper?
In Defence of Tolkien (Dungeon Synth Edition) (by Danny Kreutzfeldt, Gondolin Records)
..and as always, reviews.

This is the final issue and the end of dungeon synth odyssey in print.

Be with us.

https://dungeonsynthzine.bigcartel.com

02/08/2024

We're accepting ads for DSZ #10... One last time.
Details in the comment.
Join us.