Artist: Aranea Telam / Torchlight
Title: On The Road To The Green Bridge
Type: Album
Label: Digital / Sokol Keep soon
I’ve been buying music from Kajdum’s Tower for a good while (though not as much as I’d wish, finances being finite, but take a look at their wooden box editions just for a start) but one thing that really made me smile was when Nagaarum began publishing his novel ‘Survivors Of A’Nagtoth’ in chapter form – I have I think all the currently published ones- and with music always there to accompany it. Quite apart from it being such an enjoyable tale (and with a fantastic English translation), I just loved seing world creation in action as it’s something I have steeped myself in since the age of eleven….Nagaarum has Doria, I have Cho’n. Just seeing someone weave so much around their own world, and their imagaination and their musical talent was just a wonderful find.
So here we have songs inspired by the novel, a project shared by Nagaarum as Aranea Telam with Giulio under the Torchlight moniker.
Welcome to the twin islands of Doria…
First of the four Aranea Telam track is the sombre and ominous ‘Bayglas’. Now I decided to make things difficult for myself by not referring to the writings already available as I want those of you who haven’t read them to seek them out. So the music is the mission here. And ‘Bayglas’ brings that feeling of the introduction to a vast, and anciet tale. It is slow in tone, the piano chords heavy and dark as the notes tap out a quiet and careful feeling. It is like being on the threshold of something; ancient and unknown and steeped in mystery and riddle and is so rich with dust and years that before you know it you are fully here. The slight percussion adds a strange sense of discipline to the exploration, the mood not malevolent but so old that respect must be paid. Moments of very early Arcana spring to mind as a touchstone. Graceful and mysterious indeed.
‘The Tower Of Elamond’ has an almost, but not quite, playful feel and an eccentric, restless dance to the strange tune and discordant moments as though seeking the way through a puzzle, finding the rhythm and progressing. And as itdoes the shadows grow longer. It’s a delight of storytelling in music, for me. And beautiful when it opens out.
‘Dance Of The Dwarf’ is… well have you ever seen a dwarf dance? It is a steady beginning, a sedate rhythmic dance. The flute sounds joins in to add a lightness but no doubt our stout fellow stick to his learned steps and though a tight but genuine might cross his face you can feel the concentration until, at last the synth washes in and you feel the bottled up joy escape in startling grace and flow. Dance like no elves are watching…. It is strangely so sweet, sways with such grace that belies the simple steps. I absolutely adore this song….
‘Lutgarda’ closes the Aranea Telam curated tracks with a sound that skirts the ancient strange world Giorgio Moroder conjured for Cat People, but moves slowly into another place approached with trepidation. The music is rich, once more a sense of age resting wearily upon it but with unfathomable majesty.
Torchlight take the reins next. ‘The Feast Beyond The Green Bridge’ conjures a sound like a ghostly, almost prayer like sound. Then, in a moment the delicate acoustic string sounds play, an echo behind it that brings a feeling of soft light, golden and warm. There is a welcome but perhaps there is an otherworldly element, or perhaps simply the presence of high nobility or long tradition. ‘Bells Beneath The Crystal Hall’ ventures down indeed; echoing sounds, whispering noises and the feel of steady steps on stone. Exploration fills this track; careful not to wake what might be there perhaps but the tune carries a little courage and determination regardless. This must be done. Perhaps tragedy happened here, or perhaps simply the crush of time, but it must be traversed.
The album closes with ‘Steel And Will Of The Long Dead’. A melody with steady, steady rhythm even through the changes. Something unwavering to it perhaps. The strange, almost deep cosmic sounds pull the shadows towards us. Darkness in the low, deep synth sounds. It feels like an advance, as though in a place of little light only the shadows can grow longer. Or is it the long dead themselves? It gathers to a heart stopping climax of sound and melody; high, rising, full of a terrifying glory. Can you survive?
This is a genuinely wonderful collaboration that knits together different styles so well, so beautifully it is almost like they are in a dance, shadowing each other but with variations all their own. The music is evocative, enthralling and wrapped in layer upon layer of storytelling. It has a sense of wonder, of the inquisitive nature of adventure even as the highest of stakes are laid out. It offers age wrapped in mystery and magic long forgotten to be unravelled. It is just a world of its own.
Listen deeply and then read the words too. You will not regret either journey, and when they blend together you will find a place that dungeon synth was always meant to take you.
Gizmo
On The Road to the Green Bridge | Aranea Telam / Torchlight | Owlens
On The Road to the Green Bridge (split) | Torchlight, ARANEA TELAM | Torchlight
Survivors of A’Nagtoth collector box + The first five booklet + Map of Doria | Kajdum’s Tower
Walking The Liminal Space 