Radio Free Magnamund back on the air with the low-resolution digital soundscapes of Basic Dungeon.
Basic Dungeon follows in the dank and hollow footsteps of the TSR UK produced 1985 double vinyl First Quest in binding ambient synthesiser music with specific cues and textual references to the Dungeons & Dragons game. Track titles such as 1D4 of Copper Coins, evoke game mechanics whilst sounding like something The Advisory Circle might sandwich between layers of samples from 1970s supernatural childrens television and Open University explanatory animation soundtracks.
The hauntological tangents are buried deep within the twisted confines of the megadungeon. 1 bit wizards summon ghosts of fantasy computer games that were never written, where incomplete text adventures lurk like grinning skeletal for...if loops of undeath. Memories of the witch haunted Grannies Garden cackle alongside mushroom addled orchestrated prog-horror of Goblin. Basic Dungeon successfully fuses both vintage analogue and lo-fi digital sounds to create epically minimal caverns of sound, spawning infinite unreleased sequels to Intellivision AD&D and it's pixel possessed ilk, punctuated with minimally animated low-res skulls floating over total party kills.
The hauntological tangents are buried deep within the twisted confines of the megadungeon. 1 bit wizards summon ghosts of fantasy computer games that were never written, where incomplete text adventures lurk like grinning skeletal for...if loops of undeath. Memories of the witch haunted Grannies Garden cackle alongside mushroom addled orchestrated prog-horror of Goblin. Basic Dungeon successfully fuses both vintage analogue and lo-fi digital sounds to create epically minimal caverns of sound, spawning infinite unreleased sequels to Intellivision AD&D and it's pixel possessed ilk, punctuated with minimally animated low-res skulls floating over total party kills.
For your convenience and listening pleasure, the complete (?) Basic Dungeon back catalogue follows:
Tunnels & Treasures
Tunnels & Treasures II
Expansion Set Vol. 1: The Book of Spells
Tunnels & Treasures III
Expansion Set Vol. 2: Magic Items and Other Utilities
Perils In The Slums Scenario One: The Orcs Commune
While the limited edition cassette releases are all currently sold out, downloads can be purchased from their Bandcamp.
For other Radio Free Magnamund broadcasts on low-fi fantasy music see also: Heroquest - ZX Spectrum / BoltThrower 8 bit ,/ BBC Micro 8 bit Dungeonsynth
This post is fantastic, thank you Zhu!
ReplyDeleteLove Data 70's font!
Agree, the Data 70 is a tonally perfect type choice.
DeleteOh man I love a good bit of Casio core !
ReplyDeleteI used a lot of the 8bit soundtracks from video games as gaming aids (splatterhouse, especiallly the second, proved to be a great help), I've even gone to record some of those pieces with live instruments instead (some of which on bandcamp as well).
Love it, going to get some of those for our coming sessions !
I'll have to check out the fancy 6-channel YM2612 goodness of the Splatterhouse soundtrack. Where's your cover versions at?
DeleteOnly cover I have online is the FF6 bit we used on this one :
Deletehttps://stopthemadness.bandcamp.com/track/asslessman
I'll try and get the Splatterhouse cover in as well.
It's great when the FFVI suddenly kicks in. Are there no end to the talents of the Asslessman?
DeleteAwesome BD's review! Here at Heimat der Katastrophe headquarters we loved it. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHey, wizard-lord of the Heimat de Katastrophe - just keep putting out the good stuff.
DeleteExcellent! I've been meaning to get into some Dungeon-synth, but I keep forgetting when I actually have money and am looking on BandCamp. Gonna leave the tab open as a reminder.
ReplyDeleteGreat stuff, I'm sure HDK will appreciate the support.
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