Artist: Collaboration
Title: Farewell The Trumpets
Type: Album
Label: Sokol Keep
Since some stray necromancer intruded upon their tomb and disinterred their corpse, UK entity Sokol Keep, as both project and label, have gathered themselves a veritable army of collaborators and very much raised the shadows of the most old school of dungeon synths yet with a most vigorous and forward looking energy. They have their ‘DIY’ tracks released on an almost weekly basis from a variety or sources such as Blades Of Folmar and Flickers From The Fen amongst others. And then they have releases such as this, a collaboration with Grimdor, Beren, Sam Athrad, Sokol Keep, Spife and Haudh.
This is for the Tolkien aficionados, certainly, but even those weird ones such as myself who are more entrenched in the Hyborean Age will find much to immerse themselves in. This is the Lament Of Boromir, read in three parts by JRR Tolkien himself with the music of these fine artists woven around them to swell it to nine passages. And, as always with Sokol Keep, all proceeds go to a charity (this time appropriately the education The Tolkien Society)
I was going to walk you through the separate passages but the more I listen to this the more the inclination to pick apart the passages one from the other fades. Despite each artist showing clearly and brightly their own sound and feel and vision this genuinely feels like one artefact. A whole. A coming together for common purpose. It flows beautifully and simply. At its heart and soul this very much is the truth of dungeon synth but the finest thing is it showcases how varied even that concept can be. We pass through dark synths to that touch of medieval folk tinged laments, to open epic vistas and sombre reflection. We witness the tragedy of a man of human failings but heroic intent and self sacrificing redemption, we hear the sorrow and regret of his passing but the debt those left still feel they owe. All with these six distinct musicians allowing you to view this tale through their eyes and, without exception, each one holds you securely, gently even and transfixed as the trumpets sound their farewell.
A unique label with a unique ethos, bringing artists together to create something devoid of ego but full of every facet of the musical personalities involved.
You really need this. For Gondor!
Gizmo
Walking The Liminal Space 