Artist: Dreamy Knight
Title: Ruins Of The Old Kingdom
Type: Album
Label: Digital / Sokol Keep / Ancient King
I was rather intrigued by this one when it came up on the latest Sokol Keep drop, being a couple of years old and linked to Ancient King records, so there was no reason to break my habit of buying from them on hunch and spec. It’s one of the things about such a widespread but often obscure genre of music that it is easy to miss lovely things and so the desire of labels like Sokol Keep and Dale Of Shadows to name but two to shine the spotlight anew is an essential part of it for me.
And as such, when they grab me, taking the time to review them is also, I hope, in the same spirit if on a smaller scale.
So Dreamy Knight. Honouring the old.
‘Morning Dawn On The Misty Lake’. A sombre but ethereal soun, the most definite feel of those 90s dark ambient sounds and the gathering of dungeon synth. Spoken word in rich tones, music that genuinely conjures up a misty morning, cool but not bitter, light turned subdued by the low lying mist upon the lake. Perhaps there is the outline of some ruins along the shore, just hidden by the encroachment of trees. It is a calm, magical moment of time held by the music, personal and simple in it peace.
‘Dark Shadows Through The Trails’ seems to begin a little further into the dark. Notes fall, lengthening the shadows somehow with their melodic droplets, as around you a still world surrounds you. It encourages care, if not stealth. Wariness rather than fear. The is such a pretty shape to this journey, somehow. Ah, yes some may be put off by the shadows but not us. We embrace them for what they are and pass our fingers through the delicate beauty as we pass. The deeper we go though, the darker and closer the shadows grow. Perhaps the feel of age has grown stronger with the deeper sounds, the slow pulse of the synths; but there is a melody which rises which also bring excitement, anticipation and wonder to the journey. This is what the adventurous ones find along these forgotten or shunned trails; the place where magic twinkles in light notes even as the canvas is dark.
‘The Princess In The Majestic Forest’ is a strange, slowly circling affair. The sound is sharper, almost like glass with light reflecting through. There are some more spoken words, the deep tones welcoming in a softening to the sound as gentle sounds begin to close in and the sharpness becomes more reflective. It is like something fragile but bright being lowered gently into velvet…
‘Enchantment Inside The Caves’ immediately has that synth sound that sings of the late 80s, early 90s. It both brings memories back whilst paradoxically clearing the stage for its own world. The softer sounds create the space, the humof synths and the eerie haunting sound build the cavernous. A subtle beat lends an ancient, ritual air to it. We watch from the shadows..
The title track closes this collection. The kind of opening that brings stillness; slow deep synths and lighter notes decorating the edge. There is a touch of Tangerine Dream here in the beautiful swell of the deepr synths, an air of age resting upon it. A place where the ‘Ruins Of The Old Kingdom’ stand undisturbed by all but time itself. Glory faded, stone crumbled, colours washed by the patina of years and yet the memories held within are bright and a well full of emotion. This is the place where you stand, raise your head and marvel at the faint light scattering dust through arched windows long devoid of glass as the wisps of ghosts and lost moments pass by unaware of your presence. This is the beauty you come to observe, the treasure you will take away. The music shows you that this will stay with you long after gold could be spent or jewels adorn you.
This is why we travel these places. This is why we explore. This music takes you places deep within ourselves but also somewhere else entirely. Moments to reflect, moments to remember. Moments to treasure indeed.
Sombre, elegiac but also with a warmth enough to keep you safe through the winter.
Masterful music, just masterful.
Gizmo
Ruins of the Old Kingdom | Dreamy Knight
Dreamy Knight – Ruins of the Old Kingdom | Dreamy Knight | SOKOL KEEP
Ruins of the Old Kingdom | Dreamy Knight | Ancient King Records
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