Over the last few years Old Tower has taken listeners on a spectral journey into a dark dominion of dungeon synth music and the most recent album, "The Last Eidolon," is yet another example of this artist's ever growing phantasmal vision. The artist behind Old Tower known only as, The Specter, is quite possibly one of the most creative minds in the genre as of late, and one who works under a mysterious shadow of secrecy.
Working with Profound Lore Records, Old Tower is once again allowed to conjure up a monumental release full of ambient and atmospheric grandeur. The Specter truly makes you feel as though you are wandering through a forgotten kingdom where unfathomable mysteries are lurking around every corner. I cannot think of many artists currently who have this ability to write such profound compositions that do not need lyrics to narrate, but instead lets the album’s ambience guide you throughout this haunting musical landscape.
The album’s first track, “Loremaster,” introduces us to the isolated kingdom by slowly lulling listeners into a trance like state with a calming melody. Eventually, the gates open and you travel through these halls of blaring synthesizers, becoming lost in a medieval maze of cursed ruins. The second song, “Shadow Over Thy Kingdom,” is another long haunting atmospheric experience that I find to be extremely compelling in its overall presentation. As the music evolves you become immersed in this ghastly sounding world driven by sinister synth arrangements. I think the Specter’s talents really took me by surprise on, “Shadow Over Thy Kingdom,” and I find the recording to be one of Old Tower’s most exceptional tracks to date.
The final song on the album, “The Fallen One,” concludes the long and eerie sounding journey by leading listener’s through more dynamic ambient pathways. In the distance the pounding of drums can be heard over the whirling synths that blanket the landscape and through the darkness you feel as though you are gazing atop a tower over the kingdom’s grim remnants. I liked how the composition flowed and towards the end of the piece the synths built up this epic climax that eventually concluded with a mighty bombastic crash like the ending to an epic odyssey.
Old Tower’s, “The Last Eidolon,” proves to be another exceptional offering from the Specter, thus adding to an already strong discography. I find there is little to complain about after listening to this album, attributing the Specter’s enigmatic and sharp musical mind to why this album is such an impressive accomplishment. Highly recommended for fans of ambient music and dungeon synth, especially considering the need for an escape with everything going on in the world.
Stream the entire album below:
Link to where you can buy/order the album:
Enjoyed review. Thanks Robby.
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