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| Artwork by Arisa Fields. |
I'm not sure when I first got into dungeon synth. Not actively, at least. I was certainly into the proto acts of the 90s, like Dead Can Dance, but knowing it as a genre of music certainly didn't occur until 20 years later.
About ten years ago I was looking for ambient music to use in my games of D&D. This is when I came across Enchantment of the Ring by Secret Stairways. Probably like many others, I found it through YouTube on the Dungeon Synth Archives channel.
When I queued it up to play, I was immediately drawn in by the power of "What Lies Beyond the Door." It is such a simple yet powerful song. Suffice to say I was hooked, and I sat there at my laptop, listening, until I finished the record.
As is common knowledge, Matthew Davis, the creative mind behind Secret Stairways, chose to take his life in 2011. During my first listen I could feel myself connecting with the emotion of his compositions; I wonder if the emotions stirred up within me where the same driving his creative process?
For me, each track feels deeply personal, including the ones he wrote for use in television. It's rare as a creative to be able to inject so much of your personality into work for hire, and I feel that Matthew did it so well.
Songs like "Onward to Hy Breasail" and the aforementioned "What Lies Beyond the Door" are both deeply moody and atmospheric. It's easy to see how they would become retroactively slotted into the dungeon synth genre, as they both showcase the purposeful exploration of sonic landscapes that are so common in contemporary pieces. In particular, these two songs bookend the album wonderfully for me, as the first begs questions of its listener, calling on them to receive a message on the wind. Meanwhile, the closing track echoes back, in its way answering to its predecessor's challenge.
Tucked in the middle, "Lammas Tide" finds itself to be a particular favorite of mine. The soundscape is almost choral, and filled with a longing and appeal as it searches for something more. There is a gentleness to its rise and fall of notes, as if to soothe its listener along their path of acceptance.
This flows smoothly into another favorite, "Collecting Primroses." Adopting a more uplifting spirit, I find the track to be encouraging, which truly shows the strength of its composer. As a two-time survivor of suicide attempts, it reminds me of the talks I would have with myself leading up to those attempts. Or perhaps I'm simply projecting. I just wish Matthew could feel the love and joy that these tracks have brough to others.
One theme that keeps me coming back is the plodding, bouncing melodies exhibited across many of the songs, such as in "Reflections on the Lake." Clearly, it was a strength of his, though harsher critics might say he leans too heavy on it through these compositions. As for me? I don't think I agree. Mr. Davis is an underappreciated talent outside of the genre, and I don't engage with the fandom enough to have any insights into how others feel.
Overall, I would easily place Enchantment of the Ring into my top five dungeon synth albums; even going so far as placing it as my number one choice overall. Not only is it a great introductory into what the genre offers listeners, these tracks have held up extremely well over the years, standing the test of time while the larger space experiences its own rise and fall of trends and shifting tastes.
What makes the work of Matthew Davis endure is the fact it's authentically his voice, without the weight of expectation holding him back. Had this been released when the genre had finally taken hold, it would most definitely be an entirely different beast.
You can listen to Enchantment of the Ring and support his legacy through Bandcamp.
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