Malfet
The Snaking Path


5.0
classic

Review

by Brandon Scott EMERITUS
March 7th, 2019 | 102 replies


Release Date: 2018 | Tracklist

Review Summary: a well-made album about the ill-made knight

Immersion is the cornerstone of a truly successful dungeon synth album. To allow suspension of that belief– that you’ve fallen backwards in time where castle spires reign atop sylvan canvases, knights gallantly roam, and mead is always on tap – you need an album that authentically captures a touch of medieval magic. A compelling story doesn’t hurt either, and for a growing number of fans, Malfet’s The Snaking Path achieves both. Unfurling itself as an optimistic reinterpretation of Arthurian legend Sir Launcelot the “Ill-Made Knight”, the record traverses through trial, tribulation and turmoil on its journey to achieve a sense of self-discovery and reward. It’s a handily woven narrative only fulfilled through dynamic song craft.

Dungeon synth feels elevated with The Snaking Path, transcending the usual wonder the genre exudes. Where the magic really comes in is how simply he achieved this; by adding a backdrop of woodsy field records and tribalistic percussion, you can close your eyes and FEEL like you’re perched upon a rock, sitting in the middle of magic woodland realm so beautiful it would make J.R.R. Tolkien and his elvish creations blush. The melodies are vibrant and soothing, somehow both epic and subdued. Using mellotron, harps, flutes, and organ synths to construct this fantasy wonderland The Snaking Path boasts dungeon synth’s medieval charm on another level, and firmly places itself as one of the most enchanting albums of the genre in recent years.



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user ratings (39)
4
excellent


Comments:Add a Comment 
TheSpirit
Emeritus
March 7th 2019


30304 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

my favorite album of last year

manosg
Emeritus
March 7th 2019


12710 Comments


Need to check this one asap.

Really good review.

Hawks
March 7th 2019


93615 Comments


NICE

AsleepInTheBack
Staff Reviewer
March 7th 2019


10447 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Yaaaaas good music good review gooood

TheSpirit
Emeritus
March 7th 2019


30304 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

Thanks all! Really appreciate that.

0xME
March 7th 2019


1120 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Finally this album has a review! I still don't think this deserves a 5, but DS is an extremely subjective genre. Great job with the review

MarsKid
Emeritus
March 7th 2019


21035 Comments


Lovely little piece my man. Never really knew about dungeon synth but between you and Hawks it seems like it's a cute genre to check out. I'm not too big on ambient usually, how much of that constitutes this record?

TheSpirit
Emeritus
March 7th 2019


30304 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

@0xME - Thank you! This album just really struck a chord with me, I'm not sure why. I really love that you can close your eyes and feel like you are literally sitting in the woods. I feel like the sound construction here is very very clever and elevates everything.

Hawks
March 7th 2019


93615 Comments


Thanks Brandon this review made me wanna jam this again. m/

TheSpirit
Emeritus
March 7th 2019


30304 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

@Mars - Personally, I wouldn't consider this on the ambient side of the genre at all (the fact that it's tagged as such here is bit misleading, but it's really the closest descriptor Sputnik has). The music is very lively and while it does have a lot of repeating measures, there is a good deal of straightforwardness and variance.

Slex
March 8th 2019


17255 Comments


Don't believe I've ever heard dungeon synth, will check

Gnocchi
Staff Reviewer
March 8th 2019


18262 Comments


This thread needs a Scuro comment


Great review B

TheSpirit
Emeritus
March 8th 2019


30304 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

Thanks Nocte :]

Hawks
March 8th 2019


93615 Comments


Bumping my rating up. m/

DungeonBoy
March 8th 2019


9945 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

"u can close your eyes and FEEL like you’re perched upon a rock, sitting in the middle of magic woodland realm so beautiful it would make J.R.R. Tolkien and his elvish creations blush."



I'll tell you what, the production on this thing is immaculate. The attention to space in the mix is paramount to that surrounding feeling of the wilderness. Pretty incredible IMO

NOTINTHEFACE
March 8th 2019


2142 Comments


I've been jamming this since the "underrated albums" list where it was featured. It's great stuff.

hansoloshotfirst
March 8th 2019


1580 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

review is as lovely as the album.

BenThatsMyJamin
March 8th 2019


4014 Comments


Anyone else randomly get recommended this on Spotify? I don't listen to anything similar and it has about 40 plays, presumably all from sputsters. Alexa pls stop spying on me

Hawks
March 8th 2019


93615 Comments


Jam it ahrd bruh.

TheSpirit
Emeritus
March 8th 2019


30304 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

Hey everyone! Thank you for the kind words! Means a lot!



@Dungeon - For me, it's the production that makes this a winner. The musical elements are obviously gorgeous, but that nature backdrop seals the deal.



@NOTINTHEFACE - Dang dude, I'm glad you've been digging it since then!



@Hansolo - thank you bby :*



@Ben - I didn't even know Pacific Threnodies material was on Spotify. But if you getting rec'd it and my reviewing are definitely not a coincidence :]



@Hawks - MY BOIIIII







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